1/25/2009

Storyteller at Work

PERFORMANCE



Elizabeth Ellis performed One Size Fits SOME last night at The Seekers Church. The event was a gathering of friends for the new storytelling theater, Telling Moments.





Its a tough story of the slights, hurts and occasional funny bits of being obese in our society where fashionable body size is often unattainable by other than the very ill or anorexic.

The story would be hard to listen to except when it is told by a masteful teller like Elizabeth Ellis. She has a gift for trodding difficult territory and tending to the story and the audience. A rich storytelling experience.





WORKSHOP




Our storytelling workshop reconvened at 9 am this morning.( L - r: E Ellis, Jane Dorfman, Virginia Keeping, Linda Fang)



During the day we heard four tellers tell a story and then receive iinsightfuil comments and coaching from Elizabeth.



Around the edges Elizabeth talked about issues related to a good storyteller repertory. How to categorize a story for its emotional impact, how to arrange an emotionally satisfying line-up of stories for a concert, and finally how to review a film, or event of popular culture for themes that might be relevant to your own storytelling work. She always gives storytellers something to think about that will help strengthen their work.

Jim and I dropped her off at BWI for a flight to NC for the next stop on her storytelling circuit. Before she sleeps in her own Texas bed again she will touch four states, Maryland, North Carolina, Utah, and Tennessee. The storytellers she encounters along that path will be benefit by her having been there to teach and tell stories - - and to sit-a-spell.

WORK AHEAD
This is going to be a hard week. I am either teaching or telling stories everyday this week, And I have to stay focused on the new story for my program February 15. Whew!

No comments: