The age-old practice of oral storytelling holds more benefits for listeners and tellers than was realized in the past. This may be the underlying reason for the current revival in this historic communications art form.
For example, storytelling can be a powerful aid to clinical therapists. It can help deter delinquent behavior in the lives of today’s youth. And it can be the key to effective business speeches and sales presentations. The therapeutic benefits of storytelling is least known by the general public. "I often use storytelling as a means of finding out what’s troubling my very young patients," said psychologist/therapist Dr. Susan M. Lesnik, PhD. "I will sometimes start a story and ask the youngster to continue it in whatever way the boy or girl desires. It brings out things buried deep within a person’s being. It’s a great way to analyze problem areas in the patient’s life. And it helps the young person, or sometimes adults, sort things out in their own mind. They feel secure in putting their thoughts in the framework of a story, keeping their real lives at a safe distance. There’s something about storytelling -- it has great healing capabilities."
Dr. Lesnik has observed the power of storytelling during most of her life. Her father was a well-known professional storyteller in their home state of North Carolina.
The long-recognized benefits of storytelling are just as strong today as in the past. This includes motivating kids to read more stories on their own; improving their reading skills and building their vocabulary. And it develops creativity and feelings of empathy for other people.
SAMPLE STORY WORKSHOP
For participants of any age or profession:
Write the story of your life (up to this point) in 50 words or less.
Write the story of the rest of your life in 50 words or less.
Cut out photographs/graphics (not words) from magazines and use them in the form of a collage to tell the story of your life.
Select an article from a national magazine (NOT fiction) and underline (or mark) when the author tells a story to make a point in the article.
For business people in the training workshop:
Select one statement that is used publicly (ads, commercials, etc) to describe your product, your service, or your business. Write it on an index card. Using 50 words or less make this statement the beginning of a story about your product, service or business.
For high school students or teenagers in a mental health facility or hospital.
Select one statement that is used to describe your school, camp, facility, hospital, etc. On an index card use this statement as the beginning of a story about the school, camp, etc.
MOVING FROM STORY TO SYMPHONY
Helping Light will bring Digital Storytelling to the citizens of the Gulf Coast. Digital Storytelling combines media tools and personal narratives that allow participants to share, record, and value stories from their lives, in ways that promote artistic expression, health and well being, and justice. www.storycenter.org
The Center for Digital Storytelling offers training in designing and producing a three to five minute digital story. Participants craft and record first-person narratives, collect still images, video, and music with which to illustrate their pieces, and are guided through computer tutorials that enable them, with teacher support, to edit their own stories.
Workshops are held as contiguous, three-day intensives (9 am-5 pm each day), involving eight to 12 participants. Participants are given materials prior to the workshop to assist them in preparation, including suggestions about script writing, image selection, and use of video clips.
The Center offers an Educator Workshop, a Facilitator Intensive Training, a Certificate Program, and customized program development services.
The Storytelling Coaches: Matthew Pitt, Martha Mabey
