The West Virginia Storytelling Guild will offer a workshop for adults on how to find, craft and tell stories on Saturday, March 21 at the Frank and Jane Gabor West Virginia Folklife Center at Fairmont State University.
The workshop, titled “Do Tell!,” will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is open to everyone 18 and older — from experienced teachers and performers to those simply interested in finding their voice, according to a press release. Admission is free, but pre-registration is required by February 21.
“Learning how to tell old stories and craft your own with guidance from the Storytelling Guild is a really meaningful way to engage with this tradition,” said Folklife Center Director Dr. Lydia Warren. “But in addition to learning a traditional art, this workshop will provide skills that are beneficial for everyone who talks to other people!”
Guild members will teach new storytellers how to create mental imagery for their audience, conveying the meaning of a story through voice, movement and presentation. Everyone will have an opportunity to craft and share a short story on the Folklife Center’s stage.
The West Virginia Storytelling Guild began in 1996 and now has more than 50 members from West Virginia and neighboring states. Guild members perform at events such as the traditional Appalachian festival Vandalia Gathering, as well as at local libraries, schools, churches and national storytelling events. The Guild is a diverse, multigenerational group that reflects a wide range of backgrounds and approaches to discovering and telling stories.
The Frank and Jane Gabor West Virginia Folklife Center is located on Squibb Wilson Boulevard in Fairmont. The building is accessible, with an elevator and handicapped parking.
Participants can register on the Folklife Center’s website at fairmontstate.edu/folklife. For questions or assistance, call 304-367-4286.
