Michael Parent

Workshops

  Michael Parent offers a variety of workshops for teachers who would  like to integrate storytelling methods into the classroom, parents who  would like to guide their children through their own stories, storytellers who would like to improve and expand their craft, and anyone else who  is interested in developing readable and tell-able stories.

Since 1977, as a storyteller and singer, he has presented programs including assemblies, residencies, and workshops for students on writing and performing. Michael's 7 years as a teacher and 30 years as a performer and workshop leader have helped him develop a knack for creating an environment which is both challenging to, and supportive of, the students.

"Michael Parent brought to our festival a wealth of experience and a richness to his performances and workshops that benefited all.  The workshop he led was chock-full of practical exercises for performers or presenters in any field, and the individual attention he gave each participant was priceless."

-- Lori Hansen, Co-founder, Snake River Storytelling Festival

"Grab The Space!" / Storytelling Basics

A straightforward approach for beginning storytellers of any age. Through the use of exercises and "challenges" which range from the incredibly simple to the mildly difficult, aspiring storytellers get a sense of  how to approach the choosing, the learning, and the telling of a story.

Students get a sense of how to "get it across" -- how to present information, and themselves, to a group. The "information" ranges from simple, one-sentence statements at the beginning of the session, to the telling of a story at the end of the session.

This workshop can be adapted for any grade level, but is most frequently offered for children in grades 3, 4, 5 and 6.  

Story Activities To Do with Children

Simple, low-tech, low-overhead story-related activities especially useful for teachers but useable in various settings (libraries, daycare  centers, homes, etc.). Suggested activities involve children in stories  in various ways and do not require special training or cash outlays on the part of grownups.

Storytelling Troubleshoot

A workshop for people who are already telling stories. Participants bring specific storytelling problems or challenges they're facing and  get help from Michael, and sometimes from the assembled group. The more concretely and specifically participants can state the challenges they're facing, the more likely they are to get some truly useful feedback.  For example, to state that "I'm having trouble with audience participation"  is not as useful as "When I get children to participate by making animal sounds, I sometimes can't stop them."

Go Write Ahead

A method for helping children write stories. Tackles various obstacles  to story writing, especially the tricky, difficult issue of "getting  started." Useful for teachers, parents, or others interested in helping children write (or in writing themselves).

I'm Talking, They're Listening, Oh-Oh!

A workshop to help "performers" reduce the anxiety of being "on" and increase the effectiveness and pleasure of the communication. "Performer" is defined here as anyone who ever presents material (stories or otherwise) to people whose attention is focused on the presenter.
 

Email Michael Parent or call (207) 879-0401