When we tell and listen to stories we are part of a millennia-long tradition. Humans have always told stories; spoken stories are wired into our brains for community, relationships, and connection, as well as for entertainment.

This workshop is for anyone interested in becoming a better storyteller, whether from the stage, at bedtime, in the office, or elsewhere. While we will focus on stories told live in the moment, this class is helpful for anyone who wants to be a better speaker, writer, communicator, and transformative language artist.

Objectives and goals:

1. Participants will learn about the history and uses of storytelling.
2. Participants will develop at least four stories that they can comfortable tell, including one folktale, one personal story, and one scary story. Participants will have the opportunity to practice storytelling during weekly video conferences (to be scheduled).
3. Participants will explore different places and audiences for storytelling.
4. Participants will understand how the story triangle works and how they can use it in their own storytelling to develop better stories for specific audiences.
5. Participants will explore a range of storytelling techniques.
6. Participants will consider the ethical uses of storytelling.

Who Should Take This Class

This online and video conference class is for people who are interested in learning to tell stories out loud, without notes. This class works well for people who are interested in performance, conquering public speaking, listening, and are willing to take a risk to step outside of their comfort zone within a safe and supportive environment. Participants will get far more out of the class if they can commit to the weekly video calls.

Format

Participants can expect to spend 2-4 hours a week reading assignments, writing in response to prompts, story crafting, telling their own story, watching, and listening to stories from others during a weekly video conference (to be scheduled). Participants will receive and give positive, strengths-based feedback when responding to peers' work.

About the Teacher

Laura Packer is a long-time storyteller, coach, writer, and consultant. She is the author of the definitive guide to storytelling, From Audience to Zeal: The ABCs of Finding, Crafting, and Telling a Great Story. She is co-teaching the TLAN Right Livelihood Professional Training with Caryn Mirriam-Goldberg. Laura is the winner of many awards including the 2010 National Storytelling Network Oracle Award, the 2012 League for the Advancement of New England Storytelling Brother Blue Award, the 2016 and 2018 Kansas City Fringe Festival Best of Fringe, and the 2017 National Storytelling Network Mentorship Award. Laura performs, runs venues, coaches, writes, and helps individuals find their voice and use their story to make the world a better place. For more information go to laurapacker.com and patreon.com/laurapacker.