Summer Storytelling Institute Retreat 2008

This year's retreat will be held at the charming Beach Rose Inn

Moving the Body, Freeing the Mind: The Art of Storytelling

With International Storyteller, Rona Leventhal

June 29-July 3, 2008

"Your workshop was a mind expanding experience of creativity and free expression! You invited us to take risks and provided a safe place in which to do that, creating a community amongst us. This has been a fantastic experience that has influenced and changed the lives of all of us who attended. Now we're telling our stories, full of vivid imagery. You are a gifted teacher!"

Participant, J. C. Campbell Folk School, NC

"Great way to engage kids in storytelling activities, to unlock imagination, creativity, enhance writing and oral presentation skills."

Teacher, Professional Development workshop, Mohawk Regional District, MA

Participants from last year's event

Five days to immerse yourself in:

  • Learning a story "from the inside out"
  • Storytelling technique
  • Movement, Vocal Exploration and Character Study Warm-ups
  • Physicality in Stories based on improv theatre and movement exercises
  • Finding your own voice
  • Taking risks in a safe environment
  • Tapping your Imagining Mind
  • Individual and group coaching

Who Should Take this Institute?

Limited to only 14 people for a small group experience and individual attention. Register by April 15 for an Early Bird Discount!

Participants from last year's event

"I have taken part in many workshops over my thirty years as a teller, some of these workshops have helped me develop skills and techniques while others helped to build confidence in my telling. Rona's workshops do this and much more. She cares for people and she cares for the art of storytelling and knows its importance in today's world. She creates a safe and fun environment for ones imagination to soar."

Len Cabral, Storyteller, Recipient of the Circle Of Excellence Award from the National Storytelling Network

WHY STORYTELLING?

When you hear a story together, each member enters into a collective engagement of story, of a journey, of community and of learning. The tales are universal, with their ability to touch people by expressing the whole range of human experience and emotion. This may be a world familiar to us or it may allow us to see the world through a different lens. Although every listener creates their own images, they are also sharing a collective experience of the tale. In this way, a storyteller binds an audience together, weaving the thread of the tale through each listener.

Storytelling is an ancient art form that has been used for centuries - long before the written word was created. It has been used as a teaching tool, as a source of cultural and local history and politics, as a form of persuasive argument, to explain the natural world, in lieu of punishment for children, and of course, for entertainment. Stories are powerful, and effective tools for getting a message across or eliciting an emotional response. Some of the best orators and educators are storytellers!

Participants from last year's event

THE WORKSHOP

On the surface, this workshop will introduce you to some ideas and techniques for learning and refining a story for telling. But on a deeper level, it will tap your imagining mind, help you to discover your voice, and encourage you to move your body in new ways. Emphasis will be on finding your own style and strengths as a storyteller by learning a story "from the inside out". Through movement, drama, facial expression, visualizations, and vocal exploration, we will work as a group and in pairs to prepare our stories for telling. Whether you're a teacher, parent, business person, group leader, public speaker, religious leader or someone who wants to discover or encourage your creativity, this workshop will help you to develop an ease with communication and expression. Come ready to grunt, laugh, and take risks in a safe environment. By moving our bodies and rousing our imag-inations, we will hear our story voices.

Telling a story is like giving a gift. Learn how to unleash that gift and share it in your work or life.

Some time will be scheduled to enjoy the beach, take some reflection time or simply to relax.

"Rona Rocks! So do her workshops! Her energy is inspiring and her enthusiasm is contagious."

Linda Gorham, Storyteller, Illinois

"Before the class I could not picture the character in my story. They didn't have faces or names. Now I can and they do because I made them! They now have characteristics that may not be inherent in the text but are now integral to the story. These things make the story come alive!"

Student, Columbia University, NYC

"The theatre/sound/movement games were outstanding - unique, creative, powerful!"

Participant, Kripalu Center

"I laughed so much - had a blast! Excellent instruction, and great personality of instructor - she's knowledgeable, fun, generous, flexible, and warm, and gave individual attention within the group setting. At the same time, she's very aware of the group energy."

Participant, National Storytelling Network Annual Conference

"I pushed some serious edges! I came in with a fear of speaking in front of groups. I ended by performing a story in front of an audience! Now I have tools to take with me."

Participant, Kripalu Center

Rona Leventhal

BIO

Rona Leventhal is an international Storyteller, Improv Theatre and Movement Specialist, Team Building Facilitator and certified Teacher. For Eighteen years she has used her passion of story, teaching, literacy development, movement and the spoken word to inspire others to free their body/mind and find their own voice in a fun, interactive and safe environment. She is applauded for her warm & enthusiastic spirit, supportive nature and inspiring talent. She teaches with the Education Departments at Columbia University, Lesley University and the University of Massachusetts.

As an educator she is also passionate about developing what she calls "the imagination muscle" and bringing literacy to students in an exciting, motivational, and accessible way. Rona is an approved PDP provider by the Massachusetts Department of Education.

She tours internationally, telling stories and presenting workshops and school residencies, to children and adults, keynote addresses at professional conferences, and coaching to small groups and individuals. She is an approved Artist and Teaching Artist with the Massachusetts Cultural Council, Alaskan Arts Council, New York BOCES, the Wang Center for Performing Arts and the New England Touring Roster (funding available).

Rona is Co-Editor of the book Spinning tales, Weaving Hope: Stories, Storytelling, and Activities of Peace, Justice, and the Environment (New Society Publishers). It contains an article co-authored by Rona, "Ten Reasons to Use Storytelling in the Classroom". The book received 2003 Honors Award from Storytelling World Magazine. An inspiring collection of stories, it has follow-up activities and is age/subject indexed.

Up-coming projects include: a CD recording, Raps Rhythms and Rhymes! and a book for educators entitled, The Power of Imagination: Teaching to Creative Minds.

Retreat Details

When: Sunday, June 29-Thursday, July3, 2008

Where: The Beach Rose Inn, W. Falmouth, MA www.thebeachroseinn.com

Food: Scallops over pasta, Thai curry with chicken or tofu, gourmet breakfasts... this just a sampling of the professionally made meals you will eat, served on the outside deck or inside. Vegetarian options available.

Extras: A massage therapist is be available with advanced notice... on site massage without going anywhere! Not included in cost of workshop.

Cost: The institute fee ranges from $890 to $1190, depending on room selection. First come, first served basis. Register early for your preferred accommodation choice! See registration form for details of lodging options and fees.

Early Bird Discount: Postmark your deposit by April 15 and get $50 off!

Fee includes: The five day workshop, professionally cooked meals, from Sunday dinner through Thursday lunch, quality lodging and PDPs for Massachusetts teachers.

Times: The Institute starts at 2:30 on Sunday, June 29 and ends at 4:00PM on Thursday, July3.

Limited to only 14 people for a small group experience and individual attention.

The Institute will fill, so please, sign up early!

Registration Form

Please print out the registration form and mail it in as soon as possible to reserve your place.