Embodied Storytelling led by Jo Blake

As storytellers, we can sometimes forget that we tell as much with our bodies as we do with our words, and that there is so much play, depth and creativity to be found through noticing how we move and relate to space and objects around us.

In this workshop, we will explore a range of creative and embodied processes for working with body, movement and objects within storytelling. The emphasis is on learning through exploration and play. Bring your questions, your wonderings, your limitations and capacities, and let’s see what happens. Bodies of all shapes, sizes, ages and abilities welcome.

What you will need:

• A story! Please come with a myth, fairytale or folk tale in mind. You don’t need to know it really well, but if you can tell it casually to a friend, that’ll be fine.
• Bring with you a selection of objects and materials that seem connected to the story in some way. They do not have to be obviously connected, in fact, even better if you’re not sure why you feel drawn to them. These can be ordinary everyday objects (cups, spoons, pens etc) and materials such as soil, thread, water, flour etc; or clothing. Anything really. Don’t think too hard… follow your gut. A minimum of 5 objects/materials. This can include multiples of the same thing, i.e. 5 different clocks or shoes.
• Wear comfy, loose clothing that you are happy moving in. This is not a dance workshop and you do not have to be fit, flexible or highly mobile to join in. It is more about feeling comfortable should you want to use an extended vocabulary of movement.

There will be breaks for drinks and lunch. Bring vegetarian food to share.