Workshops and Retreats:We Are All Storytellers "Louise creates an inspired and supportive atmosphere in this hands-on, in-depth exploration of the storytellers art. Games and exercises stretch participants ability to convey thoughts, feelings, and images, through voice, facial expressions, gestures, silence, characterizations and "word paintings." Demonstrations and discussion deepen understanding of the craft. This class focuses on developing performance skills and involves each student in choosing and developing a story to tell in their own style. Each class meeting will include time for individuals to share stories with the group and receive the group's insights and encouragement. Louise's mark as a teacher is the positive feelings and sense of community that comes out of this process. We Are All Storytellers is a 20 hour class and is offered in a one week "institute format" or an 8 session class meeting weekly. This workshop has been offered as an in service training program for teachers, librarians, park staff, and school counselors. "Thank you for a wonderful week of stories. Your storytelling workshop for teachers was just the boost they needed to renew their enthusiasm as the end of the year drew near." Barbara Brown, Supervisor, Early Childhood/Elementary, Baldwin County Al Our Stories, Our Selves This workshop grew out of my interest in the places where our lives and story come together. In this workshop we look at the events of our own lives as stories worth telling and we use our ability to create new stories as a way to enrich and inform our everyday lives. Each week I will lead an exercise that helps everyone find or create a story. Some exercises draw from our memories and experience others are in the form of a guided journey through dream like imagery. It's fun. After the exercise we take turns telling our stories. With people speaking form the heart the storytelling is consistently splendid! And, as important, the sharing of these stories becomes a wonderful celebration of each person's uniqueness and the connection among all gathered. It is a powerful community building process. Shy people welcome. ----Louise "My thanks to you for providing such an expanding experience for me during 'Our Stories, Our Selves' What an extraordinary way to connect with our inner selves and others at the same time." Cathy Holt, participant "I count the Our Stories, Our Selves class among the finest experiences of my education. A treasured opportunity for a group of women to come together and each speak her own truth. I wholeheartedly recommend Louise Kessel's work to anyone interested in women's history, culture, or empowerment. Her voice is that of a down-to-earth visionary, as well as custodian of essential memories. We could use a dozen of her." Melody Ivins, founder, Women's Book Exchange, now housed at Duke's Women's Center. Stories of Faith In this workshop participants share personal stories of faith and prepare stories from their own religious traditions to tell. Louise draws from her experience as Storyteller in Residence with the Ackland Art Museum's Five Faiths Project. In her work with this project Louise led storytelling workshops in Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jain, Jewish, and Muslim communities in North Carolina. Rekindling Our Spirits Teaches participants how to make fire with quartz and steel and uses this as a metaphor for many story journeys. Sparks fly! "Seemed like everything was a metaphor by the end of the weekend. I think that's true everyday, we just forget it usually." participant Strength for the Journey A workshop specifically for individuals and organizations that work hard to make the world a better place. In this retreat style workshop we take time out to "replenish the well." Through stories Louise tells and exercises that elicit stories from group members we reconnect with the stories that inspire and motivate us. Rubber Stamp Printmaking In this in service workshop for teachers, Louise teaches a fun and accessible form of printmaking. Teachers carve their own handmade rubber stamps and then create teaching materials using the stamps. The workshop sends everyone home with several things ready for use in the classroom. "Louise was fabulous--- what a wonderful teacher. She clearly showed "how to" gave enthusiastic help and made sure we go home with actual products to use." phone: 919-542-5599 email: louiseok@mindspring.com 3348 Alston Chapel Road Pittsboro, NC 27312 |
