ONLINE: Stories expand our view of the world, inviting us to understand diverse perspectives and lived experiences. This lecture and discussion course is for students who want to improve their communication skills, become more confident sharing their stories with others and feel more comfortable speaking to groups. Students will learn about the art of crafting a compelling story as well as performing it in a way that engages and captivates the audience. Students will learn the story-crafting principles behind gripping stories. We will explore the elements of performance that bring stories to life, including the use of different voices, gestures, interactivity and sound effects. We will also discuss strategies for learning stories quickly, without memorization; adapting and improvising; and what to do when things go awry, for example, when your mind “goes blank” about what happens next. | Lecture + Q&A, Facilitated discussion.
Max enrollment: 24.
A native of Durham, storyteller Erim Akpan invites audiences to travel through time, living the stories of unsung trailblazers and experiencing the world through the legends of diverse cultures and countries. She has performed at a host of festivals, events and spaces, including Durham’s CenterFest arts festival, Cary's and Morrisville’s Juneteenth celebrations and the NC Museum of History, where her stories were broadcast to 22,000 students in the U.S. and U.K.