We live in a multimedia world of sound and images moving across screens. It takes a lot to hold attention these days. Or so it seems? The first time that I unknowingly walked into a live performance of a twenty-minute story, I was surprised. One person, front of the room, one voice, no multimedia, no fancy props. …Read More
Category: Storytelling
Brandon Leake brings Spoken Word to AGT
Emotions bottled up can lead to explosions. Young men are often not allowed to have their range of emotions. The tears of sadness are ridiculed. Toxic shame hides under the bravado. There is no place for fear. Anger masquerades as strength holding back the pain of bottled up sadness and shame. This leaves two acceptable …Read More
Choctaw Irish Connections, an act of generosity
In 1830, the Indian Removal Act was signed in law by U.S. President Andrew Jackson. This began the Trail of Tears that forced many Native American tribes from their lands. The Choctaw people were the first to be relocated in a process where thousands and thousands would die. Those who survived continued to live in …Read More
Story triggers
“Now that would make a good story!” When I first started telling stories, the biggest problem was finding the ideas to turn into a good story. Everyone else had these interesting lives and interesting things to talk about. In comparison, my life was just so boring. I sought out mentors and started to listen to …Read More
Leaving a Legacy
“I’d like to tell you and your brother about how I grew up so that you can learn about my life,” said my dad a few weeks ago. My dad is a man of few words. Over the years, he has told few stories about his growing up. The memories are not all pleasant, and …Read More
Not how the story should end
In my online workshop on telling personal stories, we devote a whole class to folk tales. You might be asking, “What do folk tales have to do with personal stories?” Folk tales taught me the structure of stories. The classic plots, themes, messages occur over and over again in the folk tales and are reworked …Read More
Japanese American Internment Camps, WWII
On December 7, 1941, Japanese bombs fell on Pearl Harbor. This surprise attack would “awaken a sleeping giant” (Isoroku Yamamoto). Shocked and awakened to the atrocities of war brought to their own soil, the United States of America entered World War II after two years on the side-lines. For the mainland United States, another bomb …Read More
Truth and Story come together
Do you remember the confusion as a child? What is truth? What is story? Adults loved it when, as a little child, I use my imagination and tell them a story. Talking animals, kings and queens, knights on quests, magical objects…. The world is only limited by my imagination. And then one day, POW! The …Read More
Breaking the Fourth Wall, Storytelling Workshop
The 4th wall In theater, actors on stage describe the invisible 4th wall between the audience and the stage. The actors on stage have physical “walls” on 3 sides while the audience has an intimate view through the invisible 4th wall. In traditional theater, the actors pretend not to notice the audience. For the audience, …Read More
How to Raise a Black Son in America ~ Clint Black
I believe in the power of story and poetry to change the world. Story and poetry are among the things in this world that really should take our breath away. Watch Clint Smith on How to Raise a Black Son in America. (< 4 minutes) View this post on Instagram “Son, I’m sorry, but you …Read More