Storytelling Workshops

Ottawa Storytellers is proud to offer workshops in the art of storytelling for tellers of all levels of experience. Here’s what’s coming up next:

WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION Famed international storyteller Chirine El Ansary will guide you through her process of developing a full-length show from ‘fragments’ of ideas. Participants are asked to bring a piece of source material that they wish to eventually develop into a full-length show. This can be the outline of a story; a complete story; a poem; an incident; or a memory. Chirine will share her way of working, describe how she constructs material for performance, and give tips based on her methodology for composition and performing for the stage. Participants will then get to work in detail on their own piece and benefit from working with other participant collaborators. Click here to read Chirine’s biography and learn more about her show Fragments of Eternity in our Signature Series.

WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION Playwright and actor Keir Cutler, Ph. D. who has written ten original monologues, many of them autobiographical, shares his insights and vast knowledge. He has been performing his solo works across North America since 1999. Four of his shows have been televised on Bravo/Canada. This workshop will involve writing exercises and discussion: all done in a supportive and constructive environment. Keir believes everyone has a story to tell and just needs some encouragement and direction. Click here to read Keir’s biography and learn more about his show Magnificence in our Signature Series.

WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION If you want to get people’s attention, tell them a story! In Welcome to StoryTelling: 10 Things You Need to Know, you will learn how a well told story draws listeners to you, whether your purpose is to entertain, educate, or sell an idea or product. Gain the knowledge and confidence you need to be an effective storyteller in this two-day workshop. You will have an opportunity to learn how to choose and present a story; hear stories from a variety of genres told by experienced tellers; learn and practice vocal warm-ups; try out memory exercises; and discover great storytelling resources. Participants will also have a chance to learn, practice, and present a short story to an audience at a storytelling concert on the final day for family and friends!

BIOGRAPHIES
Kathie Kompass, a storyteller with 35 years’ experience, relishes the taste of a good story. As she tells a tale the joy, adventure, and mischief of events come to life. She especially enjoys folktales; stories of everyday people, stories that could happen at any time including right now. Since 1983, Kathie has told stories in schools, museums and churches and at festivals including the Toronto, Ottawa, Edmonton and Sharon Temple Storytelling Festivals. She has told many times at Ottawa StoryTellers’ Speaking Out and Tea Party series, and in 2017, she toured Nova Scotia for the TD Canadian Children’s Book Week.

For over 15 years, Mary Wiggin has delighted audiences with her storytelling. She has been a frequent featured teller at the Ottawa StoryTellers’ series at the National Arts Centre and Arts Court, and at the Children’s Storytelling Festival. She also tells in a variety of community settings such as seniors’ programs, schools, and fundraising events. In 2016, Mary and Kathie Kompass toured British Columbia with The Game’s Afoot: Stories from Sherlock Holmes and returned to Vancouver Island in 2018 with Oatcakes and Heartaches: Scottish Tales Carried Over the Ocean and Tales for a Winter's Night, in 2019.

Don’t use PayPal? Interac e-transfers may be sent to  ostbusiness@ottawastorytellers.ca. Please use security question ‘What is this for?’ Answer: workshop. Cheques should be made payable to Ottawa Storytellers and must be received prior to the date of the workshop. They may be mailed to: Ottawa Storytellers, 507 Bank St., Ottawa, ON, K2P 1Z5

Have you signed up for our mailing list? It’s the easiest way to stay informed about OST events and workshops. We also recommend attending either of our monthly Story Swaps or (un)told events to meet storytellers, and even sign up to tell your own stories. Both events are free.