For those keen to learn storytelling skills for the classroom or the boardroom, Jan Blake, one of the leading storytellers in the UK, held a two-day master-class.
Storytelling is an ancient art form that predates written history, but is also a widespread, dynamic, and varied art form in the modern world. Storytelling is also an effective tool in any field that relies on communication. It is a life skill with enormous communicative powers that can challenge perceptions and inspire us to love culture and language.
The master-class took part on June 10-11 2009. Sixteen participants of various backgrounds including teaching English, publishing, editing and playwriting came to the British Council to learn the secrets of storytelling to apply them in their professional careers.
On the first day Jan shared many storytelling techniques and tips. After the brief lesson the participants were asked to prepare their own story to share with the audience.
On the second day, after reciting, singing and even a bit of dancing all participants could finally overcome the language and psychological barriers thanks to Jan’s encouragement and inspiration. It was a sheer pleasure to listen to their stories of Russian and Western folklore, renewed and refreshed.
“Do you see how you all opened up?” asked Jan in the end.
Master-class participants presented Jan a flowery Russian shawl. “From now on I am a real babushka (grandmother)" Said Jan. "I can tell kids Russian folk takes”
“I consider this event as something very original and interesting, and the very idea of it is very bright”
Shashi Martynova, publisher, Livebook publishing house
“It was wonderful. I enjoyed it and hope I can share it with others. Maybe it would be even better to give 3 days for this kind of seminar!”
Nina Belenitskaya, playwright
“It was excellent, very enriching and inspiring. I’d like to take part in another seminar with Jan Blake”
Lubov Ioffe, teacher of English, education centre “Education Technologies”
Jan Blake is one of Europe's leading storytellers who has been performing world-wide since 1986, starting out with Common Lore Storytellers and Musicians. She was born in Manchester, of Jamaican parentage and specialises in stories from Africa and the Caribbean. She has developed relationships with several major theatres and has performed in many Festivals. She took part in the Word Alive! 2004 project, performing at the National Theatre with Daniel Morden and Hugh Lupton.
Jan Blake also leads storytelling workshops for schools and universities and is a regular contributor to BBC Radio programmes. Her own storytelling company and school is the Akua Storytelling Project.
Jan Blake also co-wrote Give Me My Yam! (1998), a picture book for young children, and is currently working on several others.
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