Awakenings: Stories Of Transformation & Redemption
Part of Beyond Storytelling 101 Course Alumni Shows 2010
Downcast? Dispirited? We have the solution for you!
| Date: | 9 – 10 Apr 2010 |
|---|---|
| Time: | 8.00 p.m. |
| Location: | Classroom, 2nd floor, The Substation, 45 Armenian Street, Singapore 179936 |
| Fee: | $12 (suitable for 16-years-old and above only) |
Come listen to our stories and join our hero(ine)s on their journeys as they find reserves of strength and wisdom they didn't know they had. Be awakened by the courage and beauty of these tales and discover that life does give second chances.
Featured Tellers: Kamini Ramachandran and Verena Tay
Special Guests: Juriah Atam, David Bok, Ignatius Ng, Kordial Kor, Kala Sundaram and Tan Joo Hymn
Order of Stories
The Husband's Shadow
An Indian folktale retold by Kamini
The king falls in love with the merchant's wife. The merchant is away on business, a lot...
The Water of Life
A European folktale retold by Juriah
"Hey! You'll never get to the top. Do you really think you're smarter than your brother?" But the girl went on to climb a terrifying mountain...
On the Way to Chrysanthemum Street
A Japanase folktale retold by Ignatius
A taxi driver was having a most unlucky day, that is, until he picked up an old woman who wanted to go to Chrysanthemum Street.
Christmas Day Kitten
A short story retold by Kala
Mrs Pickering receives the best Christmas present ever!
~BREAK~
Dawn
An original story by Verena
A salaryman, stressed out by the cares of the day, goes to his favourite pub to unwind. Finding no relief there, he starts walking with no destination in mind...
Savitri
An Indian folktale retold by Joo Hymn
Savitri makes a decision to marry a man with only one year to live. Will her love really be stronger than death?
The Magic Drum
An Inuit folktale retold by Kordial
A woman in Iceland refused to get married, until a stranger walked into the village...
The Emperor
A short story retold by David
A hen-pecked husband made a decision for himself on a company-paid holiday in Mauritius, a small decision that led to an adventure of a lifetime.
Have you been telling stories for some time already and been wondering how you can improve your storytelling skills? If yes, then Beyond Storytelling 101 is for you! Beyond Storytelling 101 aims to enhance participants’ ability to adapt stories for telling and to hone their delivery skills over 12 hours of coaching.
Areas Covered:
- How to choose and adapt stories for performance
- Telling for children vs. telling for adults
- Vocal skills: speech clarity, projection, expressiveness
- Presentation skills: awareness of body language, use of gestures, working with props/visual aids
- Rehearsal skills: regarding different methods of preparation
- Performance skills: physical & vocal warm-ups, how to overcome nerves, coping with gaffes
About the Facilitator
Verena Tay has spent more than 25 years acting, directing and writing for Singaporean English-language theatre. She has three published collections of plays and is now working on her debut novel and first volume of short stories. In addition, Verena is an active storyteller-cum-storytelling coach and a co-founder of MoonShadow Stories. Possessing an MA in Voice Studies (Central School of Speech and Drama, 2005) and an MA in English Literature (National University of Singapore, 1993), she has been helping people to improve their communication skills since 2001 and currently teaches voice, speech and presentation skills at various local institutions. For more information about Verena, please visit www.verenatay.com.
Participant’s Feedback:
Participants’ Feedback on Verena Tay’s Beyond Storytelling 101 Course (2011)
“Your frank assessment of my presentation makes me want to be a better storyteller… I am grateful and thankful for opening your resources and expertise to groom us to be good storytellers. You are a great teacher.”
Surendran Sathiamurthi
“All aspects of the workshop was beneficial but the one that struck me the most was learning to own the story and fleshing out the characters as how you see it.”
Eunice Yeo
“The technical parts of voice-making and voice using. It’s exactly what I expected for… Instructor is very observant & sharp to notice the strength and weakness of the participants.”
Geneieve Tang
“The different expressions/tone and body movements I can create with just a verb. This will definitely prove exciting for children who can imagine & create from movements. I learnt much. Thank you.”
Elsie Ng
“Experience the power of storytelling in this experiential workshop. See your story come to life.”
Lynn Yap
“Was lots of fun, thoroughly enjoyed it.”
Lisa Case
“An enlightening experience!”
Christina Tan
“The workshop was fabulous!! ... It’s been an eye opener in terms of what goes on behind the scenes to say a good story with impact. An absolute blessing to learn from a powerful storyteller like yourself !! Thanks ever so much!”
Nandini Nagpal
What aspects of this workshop benefitted you most?
“Vocal variety. Using action to create voice. The mouth exercise.”
Lynn Yap
“Theoretical aspects. Vocal practices. Performance appraisals — self & others.”
Lisa Case
“The techniques of voice projection + vocal modulation.”
Christina Tan
“1. The Voice Modulations. 2. How to Control body movement.”
Uma Somasundarum
“Understanding the importance of character placement in the story, the thought that if the character is real for you-then he is real for the audience, the importance of voice and other exercises.”
Nandini Nagpal
“Voice technique. Variation of the voice, using your body movement. Visualising the story, & telling it from a different angle.”
Wendy Lin
“Voice warm up, modulation. Narrative technique.”
Rafiq Khader
Participants’ Feedback on Verena Tay’s Beyond Storytelling 101 Course (2010)
“I have learned the difference between theater and storytelling. More importantly, I learned a lot of new techniques: hot to change from one character to another faster within a story. The workshop structure is well organized. It’s great!”
Joanne Ongkeko
“The vocal training & correct body alignment. Using different body movements to create different voices. Valuable feedback on my storytelling style. Feel that I have met my objective. Thank you very much for the valuable feedback. It really helps.”
Tang Souw Ngo
“Using different methods to project a character. Pointing out the weak points in my storytelling style.”
Sandra Thum
“Good feedback to scenarios. Actually going through the stages instead of the shortcuts. Seeing proper situations from peers – help us reflect.”
Melissa Fernandez
“Voice (diaphragmatic), warm up, voice exercises that helps me to narrate/portray characters ‘realistically’. Beneficial for teachers and people who want to perform/tell stories. Verena is knowledgeable and talented.”
Lin Mustapha
“Helped me to gain confidence in a way that now I can look at the audience in stead of staring at the empty air.”
Seura Park
Participants’ Feedback on Verena Tay’s Beyond Storytelling 101 Course (2009)
“Allowed to develop my own style. Patience by Verena to guide me.”
Ignatius Ng
“Some of the vocal exercises were helpful for making us aware of the need for vocal range.”
Ng Seng Chuan
“Great as it was.”
David Bok
“The vocal exercises for better clarity. Feedback given by Verena on my ‘voice dropping’ & rhythm. The personal hours for extra coaching were good. I enjoyed the course, very useful. My confidence level has improved.”
Kordial Kor
“Voice-projection. How to tell a story in a ‘performing’ style. Crafting a personal tale into a ‘tellable’ story. Very specific and constructive comments which helped improved my storytelling.”
Lim Peng Peng