|
Anna Jarrett The Travelling Storyteller Based at Batemans Bay on the South Coast NSW, Australia "Connecting people & places through stories"
|
||
|
Storytelling
& Drama in Schools
Once Upon a Song CD & Show for Kids
Published Articles, Interviews & Conference Papers
"One of Australia's best storytellers."
Northern Territory News,
Australia
"Your stories are so enchanting that I found myself drawn into them
along with every student in the room."
Ms Penny Amberg
Cultural Counsellor
Embassy of Australia
Washington DC, USA |
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT & WELLBEING
Storytelling in rural & outback communities
My community development and creative arts projects and programs have a strong foundation of storytelling and social justice principles. Storytelling is a powerful, affordable and accessible way to build better, healthier communities which are full of hope, positive community spirit and understanding. Community storytelling programs build community capacity by valuing each individuals uniqueness and strengthening the social bonds which connect individuals to their community.
When we share our stories and our ideas, the bits and pieces that make up who we are seem to find form, meaning and value. Whether it be the retelling of a traditional cultural tale, the recording of a community story or the sharing of an original life story, storytelling has the innate power to help people make connections with each other and the world, gaining insights into our individual and collective past, present and future.
Each community storytelling project/program is unique, as I consult with the community in the design and facilitation of the project/program. Storytelling also works well as a component of a larger project. My role as a storyteller/facilitator is to create an open and safe environment for people to remember, to create and to share their stories. The themes of the stories come from the memories, ideas and imaginations of the participating storytellers. The form of these stories ranges from the simple depths of a story circle to the colourful energy and excitement of sharing stories through music and drama.
The
ultimate aims of all community storytelling programs/projects are to
empower individuals and communities to share their stories, to encourage
communities to develop and support opportunities for storytelling and
story listening within the community and to work with these stories to
find locally based solutions to community issues. PROGRAMS & SERVICES
CURRENT PROJECTS
EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAMS
The
national initiative for Stronger Families and Communities has created
new opportunities for me to share my story shows and workshops in
numerous regional communities around NSW. Starting with Dubbo in
Childrens Week 2007, I have also travelled to Cobar and throughout the
Walgett/Gilgandra region, working with a diverse range of community,
family and childrens service providers. The combination of modelling
storytelling and music through shows, then facilitating storytelling in
the community through workshops with carers, parents and educators, is
proving to be a successful and powerful formula. It is refreshing to
find that so many communities are looking for their own solutions to
community issues and exploring creative ways to address the complex task
of raising healthy, happy children and families. Funding and project
partners include NSW Dept of Community Services (DOCS), NSW Dept of
Education & Training (DET), Barnardos, Centacare, Mackillop Rural Community
Services
WRITERS ROADSHOW
I'm
developing a writers and performance project in partnership with the
South Coast Writers Centre and the Eurobodalla/Braidwood Learning
Community cluster of south coast schools. Spanning three years, we aim
to build a supportive network and skills development program for
regional young writers who are in the middle years (years 5 8). The
program will include workshops, mentoring, production of a young writers
event and a writers camp.
Writers Roadshow Project. A passion for writing
POETRY WEEK PROJECT
Poetry
week is an annual event which is celebrated across Australia. I was
invited by Mogo School to design and facilitate a project which would
celebrate the creative community, develop literacy skills and build
links between the school, home and the broader community. The project
involved a storytelling show, student workshops, staff training, parent
mentoring and a final performance of the students collaborative poems
for Poetry Week 2006. The creative journey was a steep learning curve as performance
poetry was a new form to the students. However, the outcomes were
exceptional as students enjoyed becoming poets and poetry was seen as an
exciting form of self expression. Funded
by NSW Dept Education & Training Literacy grant, Hosted by Mogo
P& C Project Subcommittee
Poetry Week Performance at Mogo Public School
FREE FORM
A
multiarts creative workshop series for adults living with disabilities
in the Eurobodalla Shire. The focus of these workshops is on affirming
and empowering ability through skills development and creative
storytelling (music, song, drama and
Free Form Project, The Arty Party Celebration, Moruya July 2005
KANGAROO VALLEY PIONEER STORIES HISTORY ALIVE!
The first stage of an oral history project which involved inviting local dairy farmers and people from pioneering families to share and to record the stories of their experiences of life in The Valley. Some of the stories were crafted into a permanent audio installation for the Kangaroo Valley Pioneer Museum Park, launched in History Week 2005. Coordinated by Kangaroo Valley Historical Society and funded by IMB Community Foundation.
Making
History Come Alive. Elsie Dewhurst cut the ribbon to launch at
Australia and worldwide. Bookings & Information: send email
| |
|
|
||
