Newsletter for April 2009
Welcome to the April 2009 Edition 21 of the Online Newsletter for The Australian Storytelling Guild (NSW) Inc.
The Norman Lindsay Children’s Festival was a great success with terrific stories being told (watch our website gallery for some great photos from the weekend – www.storytellersnsw.org.au). Thanks to all the storytellers and helpers on the stall over the two days. It was a lot of fun. And a big thank you to Marie and Graham Smith for our brilliant new brochure, the Guild’s image was effectively promulgated. Once again Marie’s showbags were a big hit.
Numbers were down at St Patrick’s Day at Vienna Cottage but those who came had a great time and the leprechauns were a great success.
FIRST TELLERS TEA OF 2009
Sunday, 19th April Tellers Tea at The Hughenden Arts Hotel, 14 Queen Street, Paddington 2pm – 4pm ‘Bibs and Bobs’
Featured Teller Christine Greenough. Christine is a long time member of the Guild, an actress and a very charming storyteller.
You are encouraged to bring a story to tell in the open mic session.
$20 includes Devonshire Tea – tickets at the door.
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
APRIL
Sydney School of Playback Theatre – focussing on improvisation skills. Led by some of the most experienced practitioners in Australia you will share stories with other participants and learn skills that will be useful in performing in your work and in life. 8 week course, one day per week.
Series 1: Tuesdays: April 21 to June 9, 6pm – 9pm
Cost: eight week program $400 and $330 concession.
For more information:
www.playbacktheatre.com.au or email playback@playbacktheatre.com.au
DON’T FORGET THE MAY STORYTELLING SPECTACULAR – OUR BIG EVENT OF THE YEAR
Internationally acclaimed author/ Storyteller Ken Benn from New Zealand
Saturday 23 May - A full day workshop covering the topics “Humour in Storytelling” and “How to bring life to Historical Characters”.
Comedy Workshop - performance and healing laughter
- Truth and pain
- Light and shade
- Cultural traps and humour
- It's all in the timing
- Rejuvenating semantics
Researching and Performing Historical Characters - how to get into the life of a character you want to portray
- What do audiences want to learn?
- Separating fact and narrative
- Distinguishing between dark and shade
- Giving a guru flesh and blood
- Why clay feet are better than gold
- Discarding the script and living the life!
- Performance traps
Visit Ken’s website: http://kenbenn.co.nz/
9.30 - 4pm at The Hughenden Arts Hotel, 14 Queen Street, Paddington.
Cost - $95 members / $125 non-members / $110 concession – includes morning and afternoon teas and lunch.
BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL – only 40 places - ring Sue on 9977 0331 go to our Events page on our website (www.storytellersnsw.org.au) to download an enrolment form.
JUNE
Saturday June 20 - Storytelling Workshop with Jo Henwood at the WEA, 72 Bathurst Street, Sydney. 9.30am – 4.30pm. Learn communication skills to work storytelling magic, not just for children but in any field which entertains, educates, heals or persuades. Cost: $99; Conc $89. Phone 9267 6988 for bookings.
JULY
July 24 – 26 - Australian and New Zealand Gather of Storytellers
It has been a long time dream of Ed Miller’s to instigate a national federation of storytelling guilds. Now it looks as if this dream will come true thanks to the dynamic leadership of Shirley Way (Queensland).
To be held in Sydney, topics include protocols for national website; strengthening professional links within the Asia Pacific region; forum on professional development; Festivals – storytelling as performance art; community projects; audience development; and funding opportunities.
We will post further details as they come to hand. In the meantime, contact sway@upconnect.net .
AUGUST
Tasmanian Festival of Storytelling – from 30 August to 5 September 2009. Further details will be advised as they come to hand but initial contact can be made to Susan Wallace – swallace@unionstas.com.au
VISITING OVERSEAS STORYTELLERS
Dr Nicola Grove, a storyteller and former speech and language therapist, who specialises in storytelling with people who have severe communication disabilities. She runs the only company of storytellers who have intellectual disabilities, Openstorytellers (www.openstorytellers.org.uk), and has been asked to speak at a conference in Canberra on this topic. She will be in Australia from 22 April to 11 May 2009.
For more details on Nicola and her work, phone Sue on 9977 0331.
International Tour of Traditional Celtic Story-Tellers runs from 18 May to 3 July 2009. Should you be interested in having a Celtic Yarn Spinner come to your school or library please email celticyarnspinners@yahoo.co.uk or phone Joy Atkins +44(0) 121 242 6644.