Learn
Storytelling from Laura Simms
Coaching
& Storytelling Workshops | Summer Storytelling
Residency
The Storytelling Mentorship Program
with Laura Simms
Starts December 20, 2009 through July 1, 2010
"The mentorship changed my relationship to storytelling in a permanent
and positive way.
It has been a privilege and a blessing. These months
I have
delved deeper and deeper into the meaning and structure of the story.
It has been a journey of a lifetime."
Susan Scott-Stevens,
anthropologist, Colorado
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The Laura Simms mentor program is a long
distance learning journey. It
is unique, personal and enriching. For six months individuals work on
a single traditional tale of their
choice; working alone, with Laura and with the support of the group.
The unfolding exploration provides an essential preparation for the
storyteller who seeks to access
the fullest benefit that storytelling engagement can provide for us
personally and with our audiences, young and old, in todays world. It
is a genuine training that can not replace face to face engagement, but
offers the foundational study that is often lacking in any storytelling
class. We uncover levels of meaning and the direct and symbolic
significance of our stories as we realize the crystalline structure of
spoken narrative and the reciprocity of audience/teller exchange. As
we work on our stories there is a growing excitement and responsibility
for the more profound ways in which a story comes alive for a
listener. Some of the topics are: discerning the story from
interpretation;
finding the turning point in the story and in the performance; the
responsibility of the teller of tales; our personal relationship to
story; and, what is a story and how does it transform and heal.
The
course offers a monthly blog that combines an essay, assignments, a
story to explore, and quotes to contemplate. Each participant has a
half hour conversation with Laura, as well as response to assignments
and reflections through an email exchange. There is an hour conference
call each month for the entire group. It begins with either a story or
a discussion that then opens into inquiry and dialogue. By the second
month partnerships are established so that individual work can be
enriched through discussion, mutual sharing of observations, research
and phone conversations. If someone is in proximity of Lauras home or
touring schedule, an hour meeting every other month can be arranged.
The class is relevent to all levels of students. It is dependent on
the commitment and dedication of each participant.
The
nature of on line study demands a personal dedication. Important
areas of study, insight and observation completely deepen how we
understand the nature of story and
storytelling. The student is invited to move beyond assumptions and
explore the story from various vantage points. Our discussions can
range from the nature of peace making, childhood obstruction and
revelation, to unlocking the engine of compassion at the heart of the
story. Although our emphasis is not on performance, one's capacity to
find motivation for increased awareness of audience and a clarity of
intention in the telling transforms ones ability to tell a tale with
penetrating effect. We move from focus on story as text into a direct
experience of the meaning evoked through story as a process of dynamic
engagement.
"It was a stimulating and surprising effort that led me forward in my storytelling."
A.L. Chuan, Singapore, storyteller
THE VIEW
The
adventure of becoming a storyteller combines study, personal
exploration, and a visceral and intelligent understanding of what takes
place between the listener and the teller that renders word and image
into direct visualized event. We work with the structure of the story,
marking how a story functions in the mind of the listener and how
cultural symbol can be respected in our endeavors. Genuine
storytelling is distinguished by the reciprocity that takes place
during the event and creates a sense of immediate engagement and
wakeful participation. Bringing a story to life is based on presence,
intention and visualization. The story teller can best prepare
themselves for this unique approach through working with living
language, uncovering the invisible thread that exposes the heart of the
story while accessing each person's inherent sense of compassion and
confidence. The mentor program is a means of climbing beneath
dependence on the text as meaning, into an immersion in the experience
of the story manifest in listening. We will fling open the doors of storytelling and retrain ourselves to
access the many simoultaneous levels of meaning that arise in the
experience. Spoken story shared is far more than the sum of its parts.
Like a waking dream there is message and penetrating awareness arising.
SEVEN ASPECTS OF THE PROCESS
- Six online lessons - a letter/essay that introduces the work at hand; a quote or short tale for contemplation; and assignments
- Personal conversations - each
month each participant has a half hour conversation with Laura that is
based on their work and journey. If someone is able it is possible to
have bi monthly hour long face to face meetings (location permitting).
If you are unable to have your appointment, it is not possible to book
into the next month.
- Group conference call monthly - there are five conference calls for all participants. The date will
be sent ten days before hand. the call begins with either a story or a
discussion of an issue and is followed by a dialogue between
participants.
- Email Assignments and Response - participants
are invited to send assignments monthly to Laura's email and she will
respond. She requests that you let her know if you would like to share
your work with others. that is a personal decision.
- Partner calls - being
able to tell and listen to stories together and discuss your work
enhances the benefits of the mentor program. Friendships are made that
are exquisite in their beauty of generosity and discovery. In the
second month, Laura assigns partners, but after that you are encouraged
to contact each other.
- Our stories - NEW - A
special section on the blog is being developed so that your photos,
bios and stories are shared. In this way we can learn from each other.
- Community - In
the busyness and demands of our lives we each approach the mentor
program with the time and commitment we have. The depth of connection
and the sense of shared work depends solely on the dedication and
generosity of the group as a whole. Please stay in touch and let us
know when you can not join in or need time for personal reflection. In
that way we garner strength and a sense of trust in a process that
mainly takes place through passive medium.
WHO BENEFITS FROM THE MENTOR PROGRAM
"I loved hearing everyone's voices and discovering whose story went with whose voice.
So much group insight arose, and so much
sensitivity in Laura's comments. Thank you."
Elizabeth Shepherd, Oregon
The
six months are relevent to all levels of storytellers, educators,
healers, business people and those in love with story, myth and
meaning. It is not a course for those who wish to develop their
entertainment skills or marketing strengths. This is a basic course in
the art of knowing the nature of story and storytelling.
Storytelling
is closest to traditional ritual than to most western performing arts.
The teller of tales is working in direct engagement with an audience
distinguishing this artform from most theater and spoken word events.
There is a deep responsiveness and concern for audience grounded in
presence, awareness of how image works, and the nature of reciprocal
exchange. It is a class that does work with exploring how the mind
works, as well as the place of narrative in peace making, community
building and individual revelation and transformation.
OVERVIEW OF THE MONTHS
"You
always give so much when we work together.
Today you pointed me
toward my next step in my journey.
You have given me the girst of
visualizing a telling for others
so that I am experiencing the greater story that way."
Maggie Gilliam, New York, educator
- Two weeks preparation before we begin: choosing
a story, having conversation with Laura, and setting up our teller's
journal in preparation for the work. The blog will be open for
assignments on January 3, 2010.
- First three months: invaluable
tools for preparing a story for performance: discern what is going on
from our interpretation; special structure of spoken event; research
into cultural background and variants of stories; and developing
personal insight into the reason we are working on the tale, and the
responsibility of the storyteller to develop authentic presence, voice
and unbaised listening.
- Last three months: going deeper into the landscape of the story and the territory of
engagement with image; experimenting with psychological aspects of the
story and how the tale means in the listening to different listeners.
It is the last months that we uncover more visceral reasons for our
telling a particular tale and how we can transcend and learn from our
personal relationship to benefit others. Each person gains what they
do from the process in very different ways depending on your previous
experience, and commitment to the work.
THE ASPECTS OF THE PROCESS
1. A study that everyone takes part in:
A letter to all
describing what the focus of the month is: a monthly story or quote to
contemplate and discuss with others and informative, provocative
activities to
further one’s recognition of the impact of storytelling.
Sometimes a group
story is posted on your email with instruction of how to work with that
story
in a practical situation, either telling it to one person or many
depending on
your situation. The group will then be in touch via email so we can
have a
story lab conversation to discuss issues, questions, problems and
particular
stories and share our experiences to help each other. We also now have
a blog
which will be a focal point for comments, ideas and inspiration.
2. Individualized development
The essence of
the work is tailor-designed for each person. It is up to each
participant to
discuss with Laura what they are doing with story, want to do, to
explore, so
that she can respond to question and discuss suggestions and issues
that arise
while working in the world with story.
3. Personal relationship
with Laura
Each month
includes up to a half an hour phone consultation. In addition,
participant may
either visit New York for a planned two-day workshop, or attend the
August storytelling
residency in California (which is highly recommended). You are also
welcome to correspond
via email when questions arise beyond the conversation.
This is a
practical and inspiring process of study for individuals dedicated to
learning
more about story telling as a contemplative and passionate art.
COSTS AND APPLICATION
HOW
TO APPLY
For
those who have taken the residency, there
is no need to apply. But
if you have not, then it is best to call or send a letter to discuss
why you want to work with in this way. Laura is taking only
ten students per cycle, regardless of experience, background or
particular
interest. For registration information
see below.
Please contact us storymentor2010@gmail.com. (Please
know that Laura is often traveling;
for immediate response, email is best.)
PAYMENT- The mentor program is limited to ten persons. In order to reserve
a spot, the nonrefucable $300 fee must be recieved before December 20, 2009.
The total cost of the Mentor Program is $1500, including at $200
monthly fee. If you have done the Mentor Program before, it is
not necessary to pay the $200 fee again; your price is therefore $1200.
- We accept PayPal or mailed checks. Checks are made
out to Laura Simms and marked on the bottom "for mentor program."
- Payment in full before December 20 will recieve a
$50 discount ($1450.00), for returning students ($1150.00)
- To create a payment schedule over the six months, please contact Laura Simms directly.
- Checks need to be in US Dollars.
- Please send to Laura Simms, 814 Broadway, New York, New York 10003 USA
APPLICATION
- If you have not studied with Laura before, it is necessary to send a
letter that describes your background and reasons for taking the course. There will a questionnaire that is offered once
you register to help you prepare for the work and to make Laura more
familiar with your needs
REGISTRATION - Please include the following information: full name, address, phone and mobile numbers, emergency contact. If
you are outside of New York City you may want to include a SKYPE
address for your personal calls. Please provide us with your date of
birth, and
also if you have any ongoing physical or mental issues that would
interfere with your full participation.
