"OUR OWN STORIES"WORKSHOPS(Easing into Autobiographic Storytelling)
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Participants in this supportive setting find and tell their stories through creative, easy, step-by-step activities, using both writing and telling techniques. It is most successful as a follow-up to one of Barbara’s one-woman shows- serving as a springboard to participation. Ideal group size: 10-12; a maximum of 3 groups can work with space for 3 circles. Length has varied- from one hour following a performance- to a week.
Leader BackgroundBarbara as guide brings years of experience, plus specialized training at Esalen Institute with Spalding Gray, noted autobiographic storyteller. She has conducted workshops at schools, retirement centers, conferences, retreats, and at a Women's Self Esteem Workshop including Gloria Steinem!
STORY CIRCLES
Another way of sharing stories, Story Circles function independently- usually weekly. Fun and fellowship are featured in the easy-to-follow format using the Native American tradition of "passing the stick,” empowering the speaker and stifling interruptions. Story prompts are offered by the leader (i.e. “Places I have lived…” “What I’m really good at…” etc.).
See sample reviews of past workshops: wwwbarbarabatessmith.com Barbara Bates Smith2801 Wheat Street, Columbia SC barbarabatessmith@gmail.com 828-421-7685 www.barbarabatessmith.com MORE PERSONAL BACKGROUND ![]() STORY CIRCLE Heightened experience in a 3-year stint leading a mixed homeless/housed group at Haywood St.Congregation, Asheville NC; this type circle as a service. How it all started: Touring 1-woman shows, with post-show "Our Own Stories" workshops- Selected for a "True Stories" workshop with Spalding Gray at Esalen Institute; Culminating in Tampa with a musical production: "JAZZ, JAM, NO JIVE," with 25 African-American teenagers (& Nat Adderley) based on their own stories & leading to more interest in: ACTIVISM Social Justice: proud of my "I Went to Jail with Rev. Barber" button in Moral Monday movement, Raleigh NC; Racial Justice: proud of my "Black Lives Matter" button, NAACP, & Changemakers for Racial Understanding; Populism: "Our Revolution" member: grassroots movement of Bernie Sanders & Nina Turner; Peace: went to DC 'way back, to protest the pre-emptive Iraq war. I seek Mindful meditation groups or "sanghas," Thich Nhat Hanh style; Seeking a church community with diverse membership & social outreach; STUDIES OF INTEREST Sign Language Book Club (a decade of James Joyce under my belt) Aging gracefully SPECIAL PLEASURES Music in a Group: I brought only my harmonica & uke with me; Dancing in a Group |
Stories Workshops
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"Our Own Stories" Workshops