A week-long workshop, “Turn Tale and Perform,” is scheduled for July 12-16, 2010, for students from the Grand Lake area. It will present types of stories, especially folktales, their links to stage plays, and the comparable skills that are necessary for the storyteller and the actor. Storytelling is an art form that has a basic kinship with theatre and the stage actor. The soliloquy, the aside, and the monologue told to the audience, can be found in some traditional plays and are prevalent in modern drama The skills prevalent in both disciplines will give students a foundation in types of storytelling, its history throughout other cultures, and in theatre skills such as building a character, interpreting that character vocally, and improving breath control. Also, the students will learn to adapt a folktale for the stage. These creative theatre pieces will be presented for parents and friends on the last day of the workshop.

Laurette Willis, an Okla. Arts Council teaching artist, playwright and actor, will be the presenter and instructor for one day of the workshop, and will critique the students' work. Information about Mrs.Willis may be found at laurettewillis.com (Ms. Willis’ participation is dependent upon OAC funding.)

The fee for the 5-day workshop is $80/ student. Some scholarships will be available. Call 9180-786-8950 and leave a message if you are interested in this workshop, and we will get back to you with more information on times and curriculum content.

This workshop will be the first of more workshops to be part of the 2010-2011 After-school program. Future workshops will continue the storytelling theme, but they will help students learn to tell stories for the stage through mime and dance, and improvisation.