Workshops for Teachers
Storytelling Across the Curriculum
Learn ways to incorporate storytelling into the lessons you already teach to engage your students. Tap into their natural abilities to remember facts and information when presented in story form. In this workshop, we will talk about the brain science behind storytelling integration, give you techniques for learning and telling your first story, and find places to slip stories into your existing curriculum.
3 hours
Customizable for teachers of PreK-12th grade
Drama Games for the Classroom
Every teacher knows how important movement is, and how hard it is to make time for it. What if movement time was also learning time? In this workshop, teachers share their needs and Katie teaches games to help meet those needs. With her background in both theatre and improvisation, Katie knows hundreds of games to increase focus, teach vocabulary, review concepts, introduce ideas, inspire creativity, engage reluctant writers, celebrate mistakes, encourage risk-taking, and build community. Come hydrated and ready to play!
60 minutes to 3 hours
Customizable for teachers of PreK-12th grade
Storytelling 101 for Teachers
You want to learn to tell stories in your class? Great! In this hands-on workshop, we will explore the basics of storytelling, from inspiration through performance. Topics include: story craft, focus, purpose, sensory details, character choices, movement, vocal warm-ups and care, performance techniques, and feedback. Whether you want to tell a personal story or a traditional tale, Katie will get you ready to share your stories with your students for the biggest impact! You will leave with materials to help you and your students tell future stories.
2-10 sessions of 90-180 minutes
Customizable for teachers of PreK-12th grade
Porquoi (How and Why) Stories: Integrating Science with ELA
In this workshop, you will learn the methods Katie has used with Kindergarten through fifth grade students to help them turn scientific facts and questions into Pourquoi stories. This example of cross-curricular arts integration includes scientific research, using the scientific method, writing, speaking, listening, drawing and collaboration. Katie will walk you through the process, step-by-step, as we create our own Porquoi stories together. A version of this lesson plan was published in Science with Storytelling: Strategies for the K-5 Classroom (McFarland, 2017).
90 minutes to 3 hours
Customizable for teachers of PreK-5th grade
Kindergarten Digital Storytelling Videos
Workshops for Librarians
Storytime Strategies
Your job is to promote books and reading, but reading books to children is not the only way to do that. In this workshop, you will learn games, activities, and techniques to bring stories off the page in your regular story times. You will leave with drama techniques to engage your listeners, play with themes, and spice up your readings.
90 minutes to 3 hours
Storytelling 101
In this hands-on workshop, we will explore the basics of storytelling, from inspiration through performance. Topics include: story craft, focus, sensory details, character choices, movement, vocal warm-ups and care, performance techniques, and feedback. Whether you want to tell a personal story or a traditional tale, Katie will teach you techniques to stand up at your library and make your voice heard!
2-5 hours
Customizable for Adult or Children's Librarians
Imagine your Summer Reading Programs - with Storytelling!
In this hands-on intensive workshop, you will learn to tell stories to engage children and adults. Learn the basics, from choosing and practicing a story, to making strong character choices and creating a Storytime Program around that story. Other topics include: What makes a good storyteller?, Performance Techniques, Giving and Receiving Feedback, and Adding to the story (Make-and-take, puppets, music). Bring a fairytale you love and wear comfortable clothing.
5 – 12 hours workshop time (not including breaks).
This workshop is best in-person, but can be delivered over 2-4 webinar sessions.
Creative Characters for Read Aloud
Do all your characters sound the same when you are reading to kids? We will explore some theatre techniques that help you to vocalize, embody and visualize each character to make them rich and interesting. Learn how to make each character stand out in your stories, whether they are crayons, animals, or a family of people. Bring your most daunting books to explore together.
1-2 hours
Children's Librarians
Workshops for Storytellers
Stunning Stage Pictures: Adding Physicality to Your Stories
We've all heard the cliché "A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words." When you perform a story, do the pictures you make with your body say as much as your mouth does? Come explore new ways to move and think about movement, inspired by world-renowned theatre practitioners. Use these ideas to create dynamic new characters and visual images in your stories. Come well hydrated and prepared to move.
90 minutes to 4 hours
Finding Dynamic Characters
Do your characters tend to look and sound similar? Using theatre and storytelling techniques, we will explore multiple ways to develop rich, three-dimensional characters through movement, sound and psychology. Come well-hydrated and ready to move.
1-6 hours
Storytelling 101
In this hands-on workshop, we will explore the basics of storytelling, from inspiration through performance. Topics include: story craft, focus, sensory details, character choices, movement, vocal warm-ups and care, performance techniques, and feedback. Whether you want to tell a personal story or a traditional tale, Katie will teach you techniques to stand up and make your voice heard!
2-5 hours
Customizable for Traditional Material or Personal Narratives
Vocal Use and Care
As a storyteller, your most important asset is your voice. Learn to warm up properly before gigs and care for your voice between gigs. Learn about your resonators and articulators, practice using the full range of your vocal chords, and learn proper microphone techniques to delight your audiences.
1-4 hours
The Art and Craft of Storytelling
In this intensive, multi-week class, we will go beyond the basics of storytelling, to develop a deeper understanding of the art and craft. In-depth discussions will center the needs of the group. Possible topics include: story craft, focus, sensory details, character choices, improvisation, movement, vocal warm-ups and care, performance techniques, conquering fear, and teller-focused feedback. Learn to tell personal and traditional stories with humor, grace, and clarity.
8-12 weeks, 3 hours/week
Story Coaching: Giving and Receiving Feedback
Learn an artist-centered feedback model that will allow you to be in control of the feedback you receive. Learn to ask for and get what you need to improve your storytelling skills.
2 hours