Once Upon a Story – Storytelling Workshop with Michael Loader

This workshop will be taking that elemental urge to share and fascination to hear – ‘what happened next and what might happen if’ – with others in new, renewed and engaging ways.

This will be an opportunity for you to observe, identify, practise and feel more confident with your skills in Storytelling, both individually, in pairs and with the group. We will use games and exercises to ‘get the juices flowing and wet your whistle’, find flexibility and variety in the voice, enjoy a sense of play, feel more comfortable in ourselves, activate curiosity and let our imaginations flow.

By the end of the day you will come away with two stories ready to perform, new positive memories and hopefully a smile on your face!

Outline of the day …

– Warming up with games
– Hear a traditional story told by Michael …
– BYO (bring your own) Traditional Story of your choice (5-10 minutes long) and outline it to the group.
Work on your story with the help of a partner and vice versa; before sharing it the group; getting feedback and re-shaping before a second sharing …
After lunch …
– Choose a story from our Story Bag of selected stories to work on in collaboration with a partner, to include the use of percussion instruments as sound effects and the voice as another sonic layer …
– Share your new story with the group …
– Feedback and closing

What have people said …

”This was a great workshop. It is good to have the focus on fun, but with a deeper aspect alongside. Michael was very motivating but also gentle and responsive to the groups’ abilities to participate at varying levels”Alzheimer’s Society”Michael allowed us space to interpret, which was a bit unnerving at first but ultimately freeing”Folk House Bristol”I enjoyed Michael’s honesty and integrity. I liked his flexibility and by being relaxed, enabled me to loosen up”WEA adult course

Michael has been enjoying life as a storyteller for over twenty years, and as a facilitator and theatre practitioner for more than he can remember.
As workshop leader he has facilitated drama and storytelling courses ‘home and abroad’ with Cortijo Romero in Spain, Hello Project Romania, the Festival of Fools theatre company, Hawkwood College, the NHS, Forest Schools, adult centres and the corporate world. Nearer to home on staff training days, early years conferences, play work and literacy gatherings and as keynote speaker with Somerset, Bristol and North Somerset county councils.

His storytelling has found root in residencies with Natural England, St George’s concert hall Bristol, Bristol city council, Read For Good charity in children’s hospitals, the Brewhouse and BRI Children’s hospital. In the UK he has worked with many organisations including WOMAD, National Archives, Machynlleth Comedy Fest, Cheltenham Literary Festival and Birmingham Symphony Hall; abroad with a British Council tour of Palestine and Israel.