Wild
Times
THE
SKILLS OF STORYTELLING AND IMPROVISATION
with Tim Sheppard
Why you need a
Wild Time!
Story is everywhere.
It is how we structure our thoughts, how we communicate our experiences,
how we make sense and meaning out of life, ourselves, relationships...
Storytelling can be a powerful entertainment for adults, but the subtle
skills needed are fundamental to so much more: living life!
There are times
when you need to express your own ideas more effectively, to be both
more open and imaginative, to relate easily, to be more self-confident,
to adapt flexibly to the unexpected. Well it's not as difficult as you
think! And storytelling itself has many uses: a story well told can
elaborate a point of view, entertain adult friends or a child, motivate
someone to learn or resolve a conflict and much more.
The skills of storytelling
and improvisation are very effective in developing your innate resources,
and all without gettting serious about it! Using powerful and hilarious
improvisation exercises and discussion to provide practice for the skills
of imagination: spontaneity, rapport, originality and humour, we will
explore how to make you and your words come alive! This is the very
essence of relating to others. Participants can easily adapt their experiences
to their own needs. So far therapists, business-people, teachers, performers,
GPs, storytellers, parents, actors, TV presenters and a wide variety
of others have benefited from the course; you don't need to aim to tell
stories as entertainment - our normal conversation and communication
is full of stories and meaning that we all aim to put across.
For over ten years
I have found that all participants have been surprised and delighted
at how rich their imaginations already are, and how much fun and laughter
they have had on the course. This fun and spontaneity spills over to
improve the quality of everyday life too. Many participants have said
that it is the best and most playful course they've ever attended, and
has made a real difference to their lives.
The flavour of the
course is very informal and fun, and builds up your abilities and confidence.
This course is designed to take you through a sequence of discoveries:
of personal skills, of techniques, and of what makes a story. We will
not be simply telling whole stories. Instead we will play games that
deal with narrative in specific ways, that focus on certain elements.
Storytelling is a subtle and complex process, and we will take time
to explore some of the subtleties that contribute to the success of
a story. Then, having experienced what makes a story work, we can begin
to incorporate those qualities, techniques etc. into presenting a whole
story, anecdote, speech or whatever. You need absolutely no previous
experience of any kind. Many people come purely for the wild time!
The games that we
play on this course are designed to give you new opportunities, letting
you discover all kinds of creativity and expressiveness beyond that
which you have already found, but without effort or embarrassment. Thus
you can see that you can get real practical benefits for your everyday
life: socially, professionally or artistically. But we will be playing
all the time, not working hard. The only struggling is when trying to
catch your breath from laughing too much. Have you forgotten how to
play? Come along!
Come to a course
or Wild Weekend in THE SKILLS OF STORYTELLING AND IMPROVISATION and
you will: Laugh a great deal. Feel inspired. Do things you have never
done before, and enjoy it. Leave each evening with your head buzzing,
but peace in your heart. Be stretched and challenged. Discover your
boundless imagination. Discover how to captivate people and inspire
them. Begin to take a light-hearted freedom into your everyday life...And
much more besides.
What others have
said about the course:
..."It's
become part of my consciousness to a surprising degree. It's made an
impact on the way I live."
...
"I feel much happier about dealing with situations 'on the fly'"
...
"Excellent for interpersonal skills and understanding body language."
...
"Excellent leadership - the structure allows you to absorb skills and
information almost by osmosis!"
...
"It's given me increased confidence."
...
"I used to be petrified in school plays. Since starting the course I
began to realise that I enjoy performing."
Email
or ring Tim Sheppard - (0117) 977 6354 - to book your place. If you
know someone else who may enjoy this course, do pass this information
on, or email me their details and automatically give them and yourself
a discount. If you can't come yet, but
may in the future, let me know now anyway, and I'll keep you informed
of future dates.
The evening courses
run for ten sessions, normally from every September and January. The
Wild Weekends run several times a year.
Please book
your place as soon as possible - these courses are often fully booked
some time in advance.