Learn ways to tap into the deeper well of ancestral stories, whether you are reweaving a traditional story or spinning an original tale. Set your feet on the ancient path of the oral storyteller and find ways to enchant your listeners. Tell from the heart and whole body, rather than your head. In these stimulating and relaxed gatherings, you will learn principles which apply to both ancestral folk tales, as well as original stories.
Our modern fast-paced information age can overwhelm us with data devoid of meaning, context or wisdom. Join us as we share stories that are rich with layers and nuance, while relating in a face-to-face online setting. Together, we will create a nourishing and restorative community of learning.
ONLINE TRAINING
Six x 1 3/4 hour online sessions.
Week 1: Choosing your Story ~ How to choose a story for oral telling. The difference between written and oral tales. Finding the bones of the story.
Week 2: Honing a Story to Tell ~ Adding flesh to the bones. Massaging the flesh of the tale.
Reweaving a folk tale or braiding a folk tale with a true story – Entering the story deeply and listening.
Week 3: Delivery and Learning a Story ~ Tips for remembering a story, developing your delivery style for this story, considering opening, closing, props, ritual elements, structure, vocal expression, gesture and pace.
Week 4 & 5: Crafting, rehearsing and polishing a story to tell – developing your voice, generosity, presence and confidence as a teller.
Week 6: Sharing our tales in groups, feedback and discussion.
WHO
You may be an educator, parent, grandparent, community worker, creative or anyone wanting to learn how to craft and tell an oral story in an engaging way. We will work in pairs, small groups, alone and in the larger group.
Jenni’s teaching style is supportive, participative and fun. She gently supports and encourages everyone to work at their own pace in their own way, while offering challenges appropriate to each participant and facilitating a safe community of learning. She has taught storytelling to people from a wide range of professions, ages and backgrounds for the last twenty years. See her full bio at the About page.
NEXT Workshop dates, see EVENTS page.
NB: Changemakers, leaders and educators may also be interested in a one day face-to-face workshop Jenni offers, ‘The Power of Story for Educators and Leaders’, at Northey Street City Farm in Windsor, Brisbane. The next one is Saturday, October 17, 2026. REGISTER: https://events.humanitix.com/northey-story
Thanks Jenni, it was great. I woke up still digesting everything on Sunday morning, a very good sign that the learning was deep and important. It was great to reconnect with the storytelling world that I only dipped briefly into on that trip in India… have been waiting for a way back in and this was great. Thanks again!
You were very good at making it feel like a safe place to share my story, which has some trauma in it. Liked the way you had exercises for beginners, as well as people who had a story that was nearly finished. Loved the icebreakers. I don’t like drawing much, but I really found the mapping process helpful. It strengthened my sense of the story. Loved that everything was an invitation.