The Storied Self evolves to host workshop, quarterly story slam
A year after the return of the Storied Self storytelling slams, the event has evolved to help develop and nurture storytelling in the Moab community. On Thursday, May 30 at 7 p.m. the Grand County Library will host a workshop called “How to tell a story,” with a slam the following Saturday, June 1 at 7p.m. at Star Hall.
Whether for a seasoned storyteller, or for those interested in working out the details of a story, the free workshop is a supportive space to learn more about the craft of storytelling. A brief history and exploration of the art of storytelling will lead to an interactive workshop. From brainstorming and mining memories for rich details and meaning, to spending some focused time sorting out the organization of the story, the workshop will be engaging, with exercises to help your story to emerge with a fine-tuned flow. Participants will also get to practice telling their story in front of a smaller, intimate audience.
The slam on the following Saturday will revolve around the theme of “full circle,” and the prompt encourages storytellers to tell a tale from a true story in their lives. The story may contain elements of birth, death and rebirth; a point of view from a dizzying spot on the vortex of life; or a recurring theme that has come “full circle.” Many varieties of stories fit under the theme. Storytellers are encouraged to tell tales from their hearts, to be received as gifts from a generous audience. This is a non-competitive space, with a hearty helping of encouragement from the hosts to help people feel safe to share their stories.
In our ever-disconnected world, having a moment to listen to all types of stories from all walks of life increases our empathy and ability to relate to our fellow humans. It’s a practice that dates back to the first recordings of stories – for example, the Epic of Gilgamesh that was first recorded in 2700 BC. Some might argue stories are central to our survival and uniqueness as a species.
Fans of the Storied Self will recognize the elements of the event: drawing names from the hat, a time-limit for storytellers of five to eight minutes, and all-true, no props or notes stories. The location this June will be new: Star Hall at 7 p.m. The next slam will be held in September as part of the Moab Arts Fest, and the theme will be “water.”
The Storied Self organizers are always happy to welcome to the team new and interested storytelling enthusiasts and community members. They are also open to feedback and suggestions.
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