We had a fine time celebrating storytelling at our annual all-day festival. Story Arts of Minnesota partnered with Normandale Community College to entertain and educate storytellers and story listeners of all ages. We’re now gathering feedback from participants, so the 2020 festival will be even more awesome! To share your ideas for the theme, suggest workshop topics, or recommend storytellers to perform, please email us at storyartsmn@gmail.com.
Selected photos from the festival are on SAM’s Facebook page.
Archived 2018 Festival Schedule
Join us for morning workshops designed for educators, future educators, and professional and community leaders and advocates. In the afternoon, enjoy free workshops and story concerts for all ages. Wrap up the festival with a concert by stellar local storytellers!
For directions to Normandale Community College, please click here.
Schedule of Events
9:00-12:00 - Concurrent workshops
$25 Early Bird registration, purchase ticket by August 15
$30 Regular registration, purchase ticket by September 7
*** A limited number of scholarships are available for the morning workshops. Please contact us by email at storyartsmn@gmail.com.
*** Discounted cost for SAM members: $23 Early Bird, $28 Regular.
The Magic of Metaphor (Pre-school through lower elementary), led by Michael Dorer
Audience: Pre-school and lower elementary teachers and pre-service teachers. CEUs awarded for completion.
Discover the power of the imagination in storytelling. Through the lens of metaphor, we will look at the seven basic story types used in schools, what "no-story stories” are, and the LIBRA method for learning a story. You will leave ready to tell stories, and with the confidence to begin immediately. Click HERE for full description.
Working with the Brain to Make Learning Fun (Upper elementary through high school), led by Katie Knutson
Audience: Elementary and middle school teachers and pre-service teachers. CEUs awarded for completion.
Our brains are wired in story. Come learn why storytelling is so vital to educating our youth and how you can use storytelling and drama every day to engage your students, build community, and make your lessons last. In this hands-on workshop, we will discuss brain research on story, play simple storytelling and drama games, and design lessons that work with your curriculum and standards. You will leave with activities you can do tomorrow! Click HERE for full description.
The Need for Storytelling in Today’s World, led by Laura Packer & Loren Niemi
Audience: Business and nonprofit leaders and professionals.
Explore stories as powerful tools for individuals and organizations to share mission and vision, build brand, focus advocacy and social justice, and create meaningful sustainable communities. This workshop will benefit business and non-profit leaders and professionals. Click HERE for full description.
12:00-12:45: Boxed lunch
$12. Purchase ticket by September 7
1:00-1:50 - Concurrent workshops and story concerts - FREE - Click HERE to learn more.
A) Workshop: Earning Your Audience's Trust: Why You Need It and How to Get It (for high school speech competitors), led by Lindsey White.
B) Workshop: Performing the story: Movement and story, led by Cia Sautter
C) Concert: Kids concert: Family friendly stories for the youthful and young at heart, hosted by Pam Schweitzer
D) Concert: Journey stories, hosted by Chelley McLear
2:00-2:50 - Concurrent workshops and story concerts - FREE - Click HERE to learn more.
A) Workshop: Make Five Minutes Matter: Crafting the Slam-Length Story, led by Amy Salloway
B) Workshop: Family bedtime stories, led by Sara Logan
C) Concert: Traditional story swap, hosted by Sue Searing
D) Concert: Youth storytellers showcase, hosted by Jennifer Isaac
3:00-3:50 - Concurrent workshops and story concerts - FREE - Click HERE to learn more.
A) Workshop: Storytelling to nurture kindness and compassion in children, led by Carol McCormick
B) Workshop: Gather and Tell: Stories to Build Community, led by Beverly Cottman and Nothando Zulu
C) Concert: Slam-styled stories, led by Leif Wallin
D) Concert: Peace stories, led by Larry Johnson
4:00-5:30 – Storytelling for Changing Times concert - FREE - Click HERE to learn more.
Hear some of the Twin Cities' finest and most diverse storytellers, including performance coach, blogger and storyteller Laura Packer, Greg Pickett whose stories are as lyrical as they are street savvy, Christy Marie Kent, whose stories often explore the complexities of gender and faith, and story slam champion Nancy Donoval, whose repertoire ranges from traditional fairy tales to true tales of trauma and recovery . Hosted by playwright, musician, and poet Khary Jackson.
*** Please purchase tickets for morning workshops and lunch by September 7.
*** For the health and comfort of our performers and audience members, please refrain from wearing scented products.