Advanced Storytelling

A little late, but better than never.

Instructor: David Novak
Office: GA Cubicles
Phone: (828) 280-2718
E-Mail: novateller@aol.com
Office Hours: by appointment

Catalog Description: An in-depth study of specific, advanced techniques of storytelling in both delivery and use.

Overall Objective: To develop and improve the public performance skills and the critical thinking and compositional skills necessary for the student to pursue a storytelling career.

Course Narrative: We will work with a variety of performance exercises, group and individual projects and direct coaching to address specific opportunities for growth with each student. Each student will be required to participate in all class discussions and web log journaling. Additionally each student will select a core text (with instructor approval) to be reported on to the entire class. Because the class schedule has been adjusted to accommodate the instructor's touring calendar, classes will generally meet twice a week for two weeks with a one to two week interval. These intervals will be used by students for the preparation of class assignments.

Assignments:

1. Share a story from your standing repertory. Day 3: 2/1
2. Plan and present an olio performance as a class incorporating memorized text. Day 4, 2/21
3. Present a memorized sonnet. Day 6, 2/28
4. Present a scary story. Day 8, 3/14
5. Present a personal story. Day 10, 3/29
6. Present a Book Talk. Days 11 & 12, 4/18 & 4/19
7. Performance final. Days 14 & 15, 4/26 & 5/3

Class Schedule:

Day
1 Tue Jan 17
2 Tue Jan 24
3 Wed Feb 1
*2 week break*
4 Tue Feb 21 *Olio including Text
5 Wed Feb 22
6 Tue Feb 28
7 Wed Mar 1
*spring break*
8 Tue Mar 14 *Scary Story
9 Wed Mar 22
10 Wed Mar 29 *Personal Story
*2 week break*
11 Tue Apr 18 *Book Talk 1
12 Wed Apr 19 *Book Talk 2
13 Tue Apr 25
14 Wed Apr 26 *Final Performances
15 Wed May 3 *Final Performances

Suggested Bibliography:

Art & Fear
by David Bayles and Ted Orland
Paperback: 122 pages
Publisher: Image Continuum Press; 1 edition (April 1, 2001)
Language: English
ISBN: 0961454733

The Call Of Stories: Teaching and The Moral Imagination
by Robert Coles
Paperback: 240 pages
Publisher: Mariner Books (January 5, 1990)
Language: English
ISBN: 039552815

Creative Storytelling; Building Community, Changing Lives
by Jack Zipes
Hardcover: 280 pages
Publisher: Routledge; 1 edition (September 19, 1995)
Language: English
ISBN: 0415912725

Metaphors We Live By
by George Lakoff and Mark Johnson
Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: University Of Chicago Press; 2nd edition (April 15, 2003)
Language: English
ISBN: 0226468011

The Need For Words: Voice and Text
by Patsy Rodenburg
Paperback
Publisher: Theatre Arts Books (August 1, 1993)
Language: English
ISBN: 0878300511

The Right To Speak: Working With The Voice
by Patsy Rodenburg
Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Routledge; Reissue edition (June 14, 1993)
Language: English
ISBN: 0878300554

The Story Factor: Inspiration, Influence and Persuasion Through The Art of Storytelling
By Annette Simmons
Paperback: 272 pages
Publisher: Perseus Books Group; 1st edition (June 1, 2002)
Language: English
ISBN: 0738206717

Tell Me A Story: Narrative and Intelligence
by Roger Schank
Paperback: 253 pages
Publisher: Northwestern University Press; Reprint edition (December 20, 1995)
Language: English
ISBN: 0810113139

The Way of The Storyteller
by Ruth Sawyer
Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics); Reprint edition (January 27, 1977)
Language: English
ISBN: 0140044361