Summer Storytelling Institute Retreat 
in the Rolling Hills of Western Massachusetts

The Institute will be held at the charming Angel’s Rest Retreat and Conference Center in Leyden, MA. Beautiful, spacious, light-filled workshop space with sweeping views of the foothills of the Green Mountains and Mt. Monadnock

Clean, pleasant and welcoming accommodations

Moving From Images to Words: The Art of Storytelling

With International Storyteller,
Rona Leventhal
Celebrating 20 years of teaching, telling, coaching and inspiring!

Friday Morning, August 6 to Sunday Afternoon, August 8, 2010

Immerse yourself in the power of storytelling…..then immerse yourself in the warm waters of a hot tub, the refreshing waters of a pool or the soothing energy of the New England forests and hills!

"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

"People would be crazy not to attend - the opportunity to get taught and coached by Rona Leventhal in a place of beauty - it's a no-brainer!"

Andy Davis, Storyteller, Workshop Participant, Director, World Fellowship Center, NH

Institute Participants in group exercise

Three 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
  • Refining Communition Tools
  • Finding your own voice
  • Taking risks in a safe environment
  • Tapping your Imagining Mind
  • Individual and group coaching

Comments from previous Participants:

“As wonderful as I expected!”

I have so much fun telling my story that you worked on with me. I have a hard time bringing a new story to life, but your coaching was so effective that I will always feel comfortable telling and playing with that story. What a gift!" Donna Leard, Storyteller, Educator

“Practicing and performing a story and working on the sum of the parts was very useful.  Several great ideas on how to refine the parts, as well!”

“I see this workshop being very useful in my professional and personal life.  Professionally, I see this helping me in my job as a School Librarian because I can now *tell instead of always *read stories.  I can also now teach kids how to tell stories and the warm-up games will help me in the theatre workshops I teach.” Kara Wilson, School Librarian

“The workshop was entertaining and educational. I like the combination of activities and different methods of working on skills and stories. You did great job of quickly creating a safe environment where people were willing to take risks and encourage each other.”

Who Should Take this Institute?

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

Past participant shares her story

"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.  The tales are universal, with their ability to touch people by expressing the whole range of human experience and emotion. At the same time, it makes the universal-personal connection in a way that engages the imagination and allows people to understand underlying truths in a way that has staying power.  Sometimes stories and their messages are familiar; other times it allows us to see the world through a different lens. Although every listener creates their own images, there is a shared collective experience. 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, for knowledge sharing, to explain the natural world, in lieu of punishment, 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!
Participant shapes her story

THE WORKSHOP

"Improv theater, you say?!  Movement?!  I thought this was a storytelling workshop!”  Most people are surprised to discover that storytelling is much more than simply getting up and talking.  Certainly, that is part of it!  But there is much more…..it is an art form.  Storytelling encompasses both large and subtle body, facial and vocal communications, as well as choices about how to engage the listeners from the first word to the last image.

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".  Using folktales as our context, 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, lawyer, therapist, public speaker, religious leader or someone who wants to 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 imaginations, 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 biking, walking in the woods, soaking in the hot tub, lounging in the pool or simply taking some time for reflection and relaxation.

"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

“Through your workshop I can better listen to others’ stories.”

Past Storytelling Institute Participant

"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 twenty years she has used her passion for story, teaching, literacy development, movement, spoken word and communications to inspire and help others to free their body/mind, find their own voice and help them in their work and life in a fun, interactive and safe environment. She is applauded for her warm & enthusiastic spirit, supportive nature and inspiring talent. She has taught 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

“Awesome food, comfortable setting, peaceful neighborhood, good amenities, reasonable price!” Past Storytelling Institute Participant

When: Friday Morning, August 6 to Sunday Afternoon, August 8, 2010
We will begin by 10AM Friday and end on Sunday by 2:30PM

Where: Angel’s Rest Retreat and Conference Center, Leyden, MA (www.angelsrestretreat.com)

Food: Fish in a savory sauce , BBQ chicken, omelet buffet breakfasts... this just a sampling of the meals you might eat, served in the center’s comfortable dining area, on the deck or by the pool! 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.

* Two outdoor hot tubs

* Heated outdoor swimming pool

Cost: The Institute fee is $575, $650 or $725 with Early Bird Discounts;
otherwise  $625, $700 or $775 depending on room selection. First come, first served basis. Commuter rate available (see registration form.) Register early for your preferred accommodation choice!

Two Early Bird Specials!
Register by April 30 and recieve a $50 discount and an hour of free coaching, a $95 value!
Register by May 30 and recieve either a $50 discount or an hour of free coaching.

Sign up with a friend or colleague (or someone registers because of your recommendation) you will both get an additional $25 off!!

Do you have a partner who wants to come along for some R&R? They can for only $185!

Fee includes: The three day workshop, beautifully prepared meals, from Friday lunch through Sunday lunch, pleasant, comfortable lodging, use of hot tubs and swimming pool and 20 PDPs for Massachusetts teachers.

Thursday night lodging available at Angel's Rest at the discounted rate of $35 or $50 with dinner.

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

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

Registration Form

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