Tellabration! 2004

The Center created a mini–festival of storytelling for all ages on Saturday, November 20th, at St. Hilda's & St. Hugh's School on New York City's Upper West Side.

Beginning with the children's program — which included Bob "Bobaloo" Basey, Mara McEwin (of Treehouse Shakers) , Julia Morris, and producer Ben Jacobs — the day continued with a highly practical workshop for teachers on using storytelling in the classroom (led by Regina Ress), a swap facilitated by former board member Carol Lewis, and a splendid evening concert for adults.

Regina's workshop was a densely–packed hour and a half of activities and tips on how storytelling (and other arts) can teach cognitive and social skills, support curriculum and standards, encourage creativity, and promote peace. (And, of course, be lots of fun while doing all that!) Eleven participants drew storyboards, improvised scenes from stories, wrote original stories, and talked about themes in stories. A lot of information was exchanged and a lot of fun was had.

Our swap was a warm exchange of stories. Everyone in the group told something, from personal experiences to polished stories.

In the evening concert, John Colligan brought us part of the Irish myth of Finn MacCumhaill with "The Birth of Bran and Sceolan." Margaret Dawson told Katherine Mansfield's memory story "The Doll's House." Laurence Yamazaki took us to Africa with Rudyard Kipling's "The Elephant's Child." Carrie Raiford, a member of Elders Share the Arts/Pearls of Wisdom, told us a personal story of growing up as a sharecropper's daughter, and how her parents found a way for her to go to college.

And Regina Ress closed the evening with an Internet love story, which wistfully captured the uncertainties of modern times.

Marilyn Iarusso.

Ben Jacobs with his shakere.

The Center's Carol Lewis facilitating the swap.

Bob "Bobaloo" Basey in full effect at the Family Concert.

Julia Morris entrancing the kids during the Family Concert.

Mara McEwin telling the story about the cat that ate everything.

Also in this section:
 
Remembering John Colligan
Greetings from Center Director Robin Bady
Fall Story Concert and Swap 2007
Remembering Ruth Lesh
Remember Selma Wiener
Tellabration! 2003 Report
Tellabration! 2005 Report
2004–5 Workshop Report
2003–4 Workshop Report