“Springboards for Stories"

Might you be sitting on some great stories that you want to put out there…?

For the fourth year, Jackson Gillman will offer “Springboards for Stories" on January 29 - February 1, 2010 in one of New England's most inspiring settings: Rudyard Kipling's historic Brattleboro, Vermont home, "Naulakha" (Hindi for "jewel without price").

Over the past 28 years, I have presented workshops annually at the New England Storytelling Conference, rotating 8 different ones. “Springboards” has become a favorite and I have expanded it into a weekend offering. The goal is to help individuals develop stories by doing some exploratory mining of personal experiences, and consider ways to refine, polish and share those nuggets. "Listener as co-creator" and peer coaching are also promoted in this workshop. Each session is open to 5-7 people who’d like to dive into something new with communal spirit, and opportunities for group critique and personal coaching. Participants with any range of experience are welcome including people who don’t consider themselves performers at all.

I fell in love with Kipling’s wonderful home nine years ago when I started my semiannual portrayal of Rudyard-in-Residence. Just being at "Naulakha" is inspiring and coupled with collective synergy, participants have invariably come away enriched, fired up with many new personal story ideas to work on.

Three nights lodging (bedrooms with twin beds), meals, communal zeal and inspiration, all for $575. (Or as low as $475 with an early, refundable deposit.) Please contact me with any questions or for more details.
jxsong@comcast.net

In addition to performing artists, participants in earlier sessions included: a college dean, a college communications professor, a psychologist, a master electrician, a woodworker, counselor/social worker, a glass artist, an author, and an architect.

“Thanks again for the wonderful workshop. It was a weekend full of magical inspiration. What an amazing group of people! (It really is rare to find such a kind group... No one dominating, and everyone doing their best to help each other.) With your free-flowing, ‘organic’ style, everyone felt engaged, honored, and challenged. Naulahka of course was lovely, and the catering was perfect. And I loved your breakfasts!” - Motoko

“I can not fully express how fortunate I am to have participated in your workshop this past week. It truly was a Springboard storytelling boot camp. I learned to bring forth gallons of story ideas to a dry river bed. Ideas and friendships began flowing the very moment we shared introductions. The coaching by my peers and the direction and coaching by your self shaped and polished my skills beyond my expectation. It is said we arrive were we are going on the shoulders of giants. However sometimes we need a springboard to gain the altitude.” – Vernon


"Jackson helped me find the rhythms that sustained my piece through voice and movement... He’s that rare coach – a generous artist who nurtures the unique art of others.” – Jo


“To have been nurtured, tolerated, challenged, coaxed, appreciated... all so good. But to have had my essence gently mirrored, humorously goaded, enabled in the best sense, that was sustenance, and a deep draught for the parched. I came, my book in hand, hoping to share a work-in-progress, but went far beyond that, encouraged by an abundance of good will (and great breakfasts!), to find my voice and a dawning of confidence. Working unobtrusively and modestly, but with sureness and skill, Jackson creates a pervading safety, an enthusiastic bonding among the participants, a sense of delightful companionship, that opens the flood gates. In the end, there is no place to hide. But who would wish to?” - Gail

Jackson Gillman, jxsong@comcast.net,
Phone: 508-295-0886,
www.jacksongillman.com
PO Box 41, Onset MA 02558

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Comment by Moose on October 20, 2009 at 3:46pm