Tell a good story and everyone listens; tell an authentic story and everyone is touched into the heart and never forgets again. The difference between a good story and a real story is made by the narrator. How true he is. How much he shows of himself. That requires courage and skills.
This is a course that is tailored to everyday use and based on insights and methodology from storytelling, theatre practice and NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming). The course is made up of 4 masterclasses/Acts (2 whole days and 2 half days) and individual storycoaching spread over a period of 6 weeks.
During the masterclasses:
– we will discuss the theory and practice of storytelling
– we will swap experiences
– we will provide you with personal guidance
– and you will practice on each other. A lot.
We use assignments from an incredible workbook that was designed by two artists (De Beeldvormers).
And we work a lot with video feedback.
Masterclass I: Who am I?
To become a skilled storyteller you need to develop a conscious awareness of your own stories. Your own experiences, belief systems, slip-ups and triumphs are the source material from which to build and tell a story. ‘Incorporating yourself’ is essential in storytelling. You the speaker are the medium that carries the message, the story.
Masterclass II: Who is the other?
In daily practice, you’re listening for the right opportunity in the conversation, for the right context, for the shifts in attention, for cues to speed up, slow down, let go, ask a question. When you put the spotlight on the audience, your story becomes less about you and more about them. You get busy creating the right conditions, processing signals, building rapport and inviting them to re-live your story with you.
Masterclass III: The story
How can you shape, or distill one powerful story to just it’s essence, for the coffee corner, the lunch line, the conference registration queue, to initiate conversation with a stranger? How can you stretch it to become a metaphor to guide your power point presentation, to impress a boardroom, or motivate a team?
Masterclass IV: The performance
The moment has come. It is five minutes before you have to go on. You can tell by the cacophony of voices coming from the auditorium that the audience is pouring in. All you can do now is wait. You have prepared everything there was to prepare. You hear a floorboard creak, and shuffling footsteps coming from the wings: a final ‘Break a leg!’ from one of your colleagues. The auditorium lights go down and the buzz slips into silence. It’s time. Time to stand in the light. Let the show begin!
Exit Stage Right
As we gain mastery, we realize, our stage can be everywhere, and we choose to bring our own light.