The Safe-Place of Story: A storytelling workshop with Oracle
award-winning storyteller Diane Edgecomb

This one hour workshop introduces participants to the fundamentals of storytelling. Using anecdotes, theory and participatory exercises, Diane gives the group tools that will help them utilize the power of story in their lives and practices. An introduction to the science behind why storytelling is so powerful is followed by an exploration of the importance of storytelling and story sharing in the creation of family bonds. Then Diane leads participatory exercises which show us how we can develop different voices for the characters in a story as well as how to develop an authentic and soothing narrator voice. All of these techniques can be used for reading stories aloud or for the sharing of oral tales. A quick breakdown of how to re-tell a story is followed by a break-out
section that gives everyone the opportunity to try out telling a story “in your own words.” The workshop ends with a recap and further exploration of the ways storytelling can be used to create safe spaces, new and healing narratives for those in difficulty and comforting stories delivered at a consistent time and place that can create community and reinvigorate family time.

This workshop is hosted by Boston Health Commission for their counselors and staff and is not open to the general public.

Brief Bio: One of America’s most beloved storytellers, Diane is known
for transforming into the characters in her tales bringing stories
to vibrant life. She has been featured on NPR and is the winner of
the ORACLE award for Storytelling Excellence in the Northeast as
well as five Storytelling World awards.