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Festival & Conference?
A personal letter to you from one who's attended many times
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Last week, I asked a friendly teacher whether she plans to attend the festival.
She said, "I'm afraid."
Afraid?
"Afraid I won't be able to do what's asked in the workshops."
So I'm setting this straight.
There is nothing to fear and a world of fun learning and entertainment to gain!
But I understand - it's new. I know the feeling of my heart beating before speaking at a meeting. But at the Connecticut Storytelling Festival and Conference, I have always felt cared for. In fact, if you feel at all afraid, that's the very reason to attend, because while not perfect, the storytelling community puts particular care into practicing kindness and respect toward its participants.
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What's it like to attend a workshop
at this conference?
I've been to hundreds of these, and typically, upon entering a workshop room, you are greeted by the friendly facilitator, who may supply you with handouts and a super short evaluation form.
He or she introduces the workshop leader, watches the time and ensures that there is balance among participants. The workshop leaders are skilled teachers and entertaining leaders.
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Do I have to "put myself out there?"
No. You can opt to just listen and think. Sometimes you'll be asked for more active participation, but you are not put on the spot. Sometimes you work with a partner. You might practice retelling a story, writing down your thoughts, with the option to share them with the group.
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Your voice will be appreciated
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You can always take a "pass." The wonderful thing is, you'll leave a workshop feeling more confident, and with a rich experience within you. Usually, people end up surprising themselves - because the fun is contagious, the atmosphere, safe. And you end up feeling - strangely - more you, yourself. Enriched. Most participants LOVE the workshops in storytelling communities, because they are playful, and the attendees are highly verbal, fun-loving people. Many came once, and now come every year. I wouldn't miss this festival for the world. It's well-planned, it's high quality, it's educational in fresh ways, and it is just plain fun.
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You'll make new friends who support your creativity
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I heartily believe that's what YOU will find at the Connecticut Storytelling Festival & Conference -
a community of helpers, fun-loving, thoughtful people who are interested in growing themselves, so to speak, personally and professionally.
So, I sincerely hope you'll take the plunge. If you're a teacher, I think you'll love this way of building professional development. You see, we teaching artists have come to education through a side door. If you are curious about storytelling, there is no better opportunity to immerse yourself in a group of people who love and use storytelling in as many ways as there are individuals. If you are a history buff or pro, what is the best of history, but endless good stories that bring meaning to our lives and choices? |
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You can't help but play in our workshops...
and laugh
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We'll laugh together, we may shed a tear together - and feel everything in between. We'll eat and chat and listen and fall in love with story, and people who love story.
There's a great reception with wine and short, meaningful awards. Then more stories!
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Oh, please come!
It's easy, and you'll be so glad. 
Connecticut College is made of lovely old gray stone buildings on a campus high on a hill overlooking the New London harbor. The trees are usually in flower. Spend a weekend going to great story concerts given by people who give their lives to telling well.
Walk the hallways of the College Center at Crozier-Williams (where all the events are held). Chat with helpful strangers who took workshops in storytelling, compare what you loved and what you didn't. Browse hard-to-find storytelling books and CDs, storytelling props, clothes and jewelry.
Then come back next year, and like Brigadoon, we'll all be there again, with new tellings and workshops. All you have to do is complete the registration form and show up in New London on Friday, April 29th and Saturday, the 30th. Take just one event, or a bunch. March 15th is just a week away - and you'll save funds by registering by then.
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