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Once in East Africa, on the shores of an ancient lake,
I sat alone and suddenly it struck me what community is.
It is gathering around a fire and listening to someone tell us a story.
-Bill Moyers
STORYTELLING
Narrative is the most natural form of communication; we all love to tell and hear a story! Since ancient times, storytelling has been the way communities pass along the wisdom, spirit and culture of their people and the way families connect generations. Sharing our experiences is also a wonderful way to affirm our humanity and understand our individuality. While television, film and literature offer "stories" of sorts, nothing can replace the magic of an open-hearted storyteller offering stories to a group of spellbound listeners.
Today, oral storytelling has moved beyond its traditional use as entertainment; it has become a valued tool in diverse venues such as classrooms, faith communities, corporate groups, conflict resolution settings, non-profit visioning and international reconciliation efforts.
Narrative in the form of fiction, biography, history and creative non-fiction are among the most popular genres in bookstores. We share stories in conversation. Even our faith traditions are based on stories.
In fact, sharing our stories may be the single most essential element of spiritual, political, corporate and social interaction. Stories are what connect us to one another.
The best part is that we all have stories to tell. Each time we share a memory, a snapshot, a brief encounter, a dream, a conversation, a death, a birth, a decision, we join the global circle of storytelling!
HERE ARE SOME IDEAS FOR STORIES YOU CAN SHARE:
Has there been a time when things changed for you?
Is there a story you have heard that impacted you?
Whose life has inspired you?
What is something amazing that has happened to you?
What's happening in your life right now?
Would you share your story?
If so, email your story to annemccrady@inspiritry.com.
InSpiritry readers can be blessed by its telling!
ANNE MCCRADY - InSpiritry STORYTELLER
A consummate believer in the power of story, Anne McCrady takes narrative to its highest potential by making storytelling an act of InSpiritry®. With each casual story and formal presentation, audiences find empowerment and hope as Anne shares universal dilemmas, improbable heroes and triumphant solutions all the while illustrating the InSpiritry® values of Community, Compassion, Creativity, Collaboration, Courage, Consilience and Celebration.
Anne's own repertoire includes international folktales, creative
Stories are the single most powerful weapon in a leader’s arsenal.
—Howard Gardner |
history, contemporary anecdotes as well as her own original fictional and personal stories. Many of her narratives are taken from everyday life with each one selected to give audiences a glimpse of our human foibles but also our untapped potential. Her program offerings range from delightful stories for the very young to heart-warming narratives for mature audiences.
Want to Know More? Click Here For:
LISTEN TO EXCERPTS FROM SOME OF ANNE'S SIGNATURE STORIES:
Essie Neremore's Bucket Ride
An unforgettable little girl and her amazing adventure
As told at the National Storytelling Conference
Baby Coyote
A West Texas coming of age story for youngsters
A favorite with school audiences
A Visit with Roxye Cannon
An original account of true friendship
A real life Christmas Miracle
Willow Leaf Eyebrow
An adaptation of a Chinese folktale of grace and healing
Nothing less than a gift for the heart
Aunt Mae and the Wooden Bowl
An adaptation of a German folktale
As told at the Texas Storytelling Festival
Kevin & the Seven Prayers
A modern parable
of loss and triumph
Available as a softcover giftbook
 Buy a copy!
InSpiritry® STORYTELLING PROGRAM TITLES
Speaking Peace: Sharing Wisdom
This presentation by a performing storyteller and life-long advocate of diversity and social justice is an inspiring sampling from Anne's collection of wisdom tales. Taken from a variety of ethnic, cultural and faith traditions, it is a wonderful way to broaden perspectives and envision a world at peace.
Recommended for: Adults, Secondary Students, Conflict Resolution Sessions, Corporate Settings, Churches, Civic Groups, Peace or Political Events
Back Porch Stories
Some things never change - like the joy of sharing stories that honor the history and humanity of rural life. This heartwarming collection of original narratives is perfect for reminding older adults, families and secondary students of the value of our story heritage.
Recommended for: Retirement Centers, Civic Groups, Historical Groups, Family Reunions, Schools, Festivals, Conferences
Kevin and the Seven Prayers
This moving performance is the on-stage version of Anne's original parable published by InSpiritry Press. Inspirational and compelling, it is a narrative of peace and healing that offers the audience seven one-line prayers to use for spiritual discovery. A blessing to those who have found that when we serve others, we gain more than we give.
Recommended for: Religious Settings, Faith-based Organizations, Peace Efforts, Book Clubs, Grief Counseling
Christmas Carols in Story and Song
Do you need an uplifting, entertaining and informative program for the holiday season? Anne presents the heartwarming and surprising stories behind our most beloved Christmas carols and hymns.
Recommended for: Corporate Holiday Gatherings, School Assemblies, Senior Centers, Civic Club Events, Church Services, Sunday School Parties.
Tell Me a Story
Designed for elementary student audiences, Anne's storytelling concerts for children keep audiences spellbound. Each performance includes traditional tales along with some original stories, many of which feature participation, humor and food for thought.
Recommended for: Elementary Schools, Camps, After School Programs, Youth Organizations, Festivals
Parables for Little People
In this program, Biblical parables, wisdom tales and original stories have been adapted for energetic young audiences to include music and participation.
Recommended for: Churches, Vacation Bible School, Church Camp, Christian Schools
 Cactus, Coyotes & Cowboys
This program for elementary age children includes Anne's original songs and stories along with some traditional Texas tunes and legends as Anne celebrates the great state of Texas.
Recommended for: Schools, Early Childhood Centers, Western Days, Texas Celebrations
There have been great societies that did not use the wheel, but there have been no societies that did not tell stories.
—Ursula K. LeGuin |
Ballads: Stories in Song
From earliest recorded times, stories have been told in song form to make them more entertaining and memorable. This program features historical musical ballads and stories.
Recommended for: Adults, Secondary Students, Medieval Units, English Classes
Sing and Dance, Shout and Tell
This celebration of the African-American story tradition includes several adaptations of African tales along with folktales associated with the history of the American South. This program can be adapted for any age audience.
Recommended for: Adults, Schools, African-American Month Events, Civic Clubs, Southern Heritage Events
InSpiritry® STORYTELLING WORKSHOPS & PROGRAMS
Who We Are: Corporate Stories
Stories are unmatched for illustrating the history, culture and mission of an organization or community. This presentation offers creative ideas for developing organizational narratives that can be collected and shared. This workshop can be transformative for corporate as well as non-profit branding, strategic planning, fundraising, leadership development, internal culture building and external mission development.
Recommended for: Corporate Groups, Employee Events, Campaign Kick-offs, Non-profit Groups, Faith-based Groups, Strategic Planning Events
That Reminds Me...
Some of the most powerful stories are personal narratives. This workshop leads participants to recognize, develop and share the story treasury of their own experiences and to value the story treasure of others. Also a great program for those who want to move from telling traditional folktales to personal stories or anyone who remembers and wants to share the "good ole days."
Recommended for: Storytellers, Civic Groups, Retreats, Family Reunions, Social Studies Units
Once Upon a Future – The Stories You Will Tell Later
Personal Stories can be more than memories; our narratives include what’s happening in our lives right now. Realizing our actions now will be told later as narrative can help us reconsider our circumstances and choices...and even help us create happy endings. This workshop can also be adapted for developing faith stories.
Recommended for: Storytelling Festivals, Writing Retreats, Faith-based Events, Couples Retreats, Faith-based Groups
Organic Storytelling – Growing Stories
Using the elements of story structure, Anne leads participants in both group and individual story creation. This energizing collaborative activity is perfect for storytellers who are ready to tell original pieces and for language arts teachers and their students who want to explore the creative process of writing fiction.
Recommended for: Storytellers, Schools, Youth Groups, After School Programs, Youth Organizations, Language Arts Classes, Storytelling Events
 The Art of Telling a Story
Telling a story is more than memorizing and then reciting a plot. This program leads participants on a journey to find, internalize and develop a story as a performance piece, then to add personality and style. Great for anyone who has a favorite family narrative to tell, those who want to learn to take a story from the page to the stage and those who enjoy public speaking.
Recommended for: Storytelling Events, Language Arts Classes, Speech and Drama Classes, Writing Workshops, Civic Groups
For Other InSpiritry Speaking Topics, click here.
Here's one of Anne's poems, dedicated to those who love a good story!
Story
(click on the title to listen)
There is no home to hold a story.
Each one is a rambler, a rover,
a raconteur chasing the moon.
Up with the sun for its next trek,
it is grateful for what is left over
from late night carousing:
a hard biscuit, a cold square
of cornbread, a wedge of cheese.
On the way out the door,
it throws a memory over its shoulder
with a smile that makes us cry.
Dressed in borrowed clothes,
it is a master of disguises,
some days dressed in sacred tales,
others barefoot in daydreams
or wearing a soldier’s fatigues.
At the market, it makes every man
a friend with its admissions of guilt,
its honesty to a fault, its found wisdom.
Ever sure strangers share its woes,
it tells and retells universal truths.
In love with life, it is the perfect date,
not least of all the light
that pulls its soul mates
like moths to flame.
Answering to nicknames we assign—
scripture, fiction, history, lore—
it hides in sermons, journals, letters home.
Road-hardened. Happy to meet
every ruinous rock in the road,
another lesson to add to its wealth,
it is the bearer of sweet treats
and melancholy food for thought.
Gathered round a fire of hard times,
it softens, no longer a rogue.
as it reminisces in city pubs
or whispers in hospital rooms
or spins yarns from a porch swing.
Now as at our final end,
it is a son, come home at last,
or a daughter, ever devoted,
who sits a spell to talk
and promises to stay as long
as we have an ear to listen
to one more story.
Anne McCrady, 2007
Looking for Inspiration?
Sign up for Anne's InSpiritry Blog
or read the latest issue of The InSpiritry Journal!
Need Inspirational Stories for Your Next Event?
Contact Anne about Speaking!
When You Tell Your Stories -- You Can Be a Blessing!
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