Workshop
Story Play
An Inspiration for Creative Storytelling
The Telling Theatre (Denmark)
Recommended for:
- Parents & Caregivers
- Teachers & Educators
- Counselling & Therapy
- Artists
- Storytellers
- Writers
- Community Facilitators
Story Play was developed to promote and refine personal stories. The method is based on 25 years of meetings with people – creating stories using the narrator's insight and the actor's instruments as the focal point. Story Play is intended as a tool for a deeper understanding of the nature of the narrative and a guide to how we can share and refine personal stories through body, voice and presence. All stories originate from 'listening' and the narrative tries to reproduce what we have heard in a form that corresponds to the narrator’s personality and context of retelling.
Highlights:
- Through simple exercises and dialogue participants can expect to understand the creative angle to storytelling
- Jesper is trained in mime and acting, and Troels in acting and music and together they will share how they use these skills as tools in their work as performers
- Understand how to listen to the story to guide you in how to perform it
- Learn creative ways to include the audience in your storytelling performance
Methodology:
Story Play is based on five stages that characterise the successful process of the creative work of a story.
- The listener – In the first phase, the narrator listens to his inner and outer world for a story.
- The carrier – In the second phase, the narrator selects what he can ‘bear’ or ‘stand’ to tell.
- The opening – The third phase is the search for the possibility or opportunity to tell the story.
- The situation – The fourth phase represents the moment of the unfolding and expression of the story itself.
- The echo – The final phase represents reflection on the unfolded story and what emerged from the telling.
The process is cyclical, leading to listening yet again to what the story had to say.
It will be an advantage if participants have experienced Beowulf before attending this workshop.
The Story Play model workshops have been conducted in University College, Hammar, Norway 2012, the Meyerholt Center, Moscow, Russia 2012 and Kids Euro Festival, Washington, USA 2013.
A four year research experiment using the Story Play model concluded with the recognition of storytelling as a basic life skill. This has led to the integration of storytelling within the Danish education system.
Notes
PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEO RECORDING RULES:
- Unauthorized video and audio recording is not permitted for this event.
- Photography without flash and without disrupting the artists/event is permitted within reason.
ADMITTANCE RULES:
- All patrons are required to purchase tickets for admission.
- Admission is subject to proof of tickets purchased.
- Latecomers advisory: All latecomers must wait for suitable cue for seating.
- No refunds, no exchange of tickets.
The Telling Theatre
Troels Kirk Ejsing
Troels Ejsing is a skilled storyteller, actor and musician. He runs his own company Dunkelblaa which produces storytelling theatre performances for children, youth and adults touring in Denmark and abroad. He has performed in UK, USA, Russia, Greece, Italy, Bulgaria, Canada and also in Denmark, Sweden and Finland. Comfortable with myths, folktales and legends he is also adept at self-created and self-lived stories. He is a regular performer at ‘Storytelling Raids’ and ‘Compulsive Liars Night’ in Denmark.
A talented musician he has composed unplugged soundtracks for The Telling Theatre and Dunkelblaa using various unusual instruments such as a watering can, washtub bass, body percussion and Jew’s harp. Troels is also a composer, arranger, singer, bass and guitar player for the rock band de LYSLEVENDE.
Jesper la Cour Andersen
One of Denmark’s renowned storytellers Jesper has been awarded several times internationally for his interactive style and unique social focus in storytelling. As founder of The Telling Theatre he is a leading figure in the development of contemporary storytelling and has devised a model for creative storytelling called ‘Story Play’. A trained actor, mime and storyteller he is a recipient of government arts funding since 1996 for his professional work. Jesper has performed in 20 countries across four continents inspiring audiences of all ages.
He received ‘The Children Theatre Award 2006’, Denmark, the ‘Tall Tale Competition International Award’, St. John’s Storytelling Festival 2007, Canada and in 2014 he was awarded for ‘Craftsmanship in Creating Characters in Mythology’ at the 15th International Festival of Children’s Performances, Bulgaria. Beowulf received ‘The Best Storytelling and Interaction Production’ award at the Kingfestival 2009 in Russia.