An inspiring presence, Patricia has performed and conducted workshops internationally since 1976. She guides students of all ages to collectively tell a story through their individually imagined dramatizing. The group analyzes its story; then collectively tells an original story. From the students' collective work, lies the foundation for making their own individual stories.

For elementary, middle, and high school students; for adult retreat or conference participants.

Sessions are designed for the needs of the group and involve drama, storytelling, writing, and dancing.

Workshops:

Storytelling as Healing Art — testimonials from participants at Changing Families in a Changing World conference: University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign:

"Great ideas — I liked being able to hear others' stories and share my own."
"Best session I've been to at a conference — it taught me a lot about myself and my life."
"This workshop changed my life."
"Wonderful experience — very helpful for self and to be able to assist others with this activity."
"Loved it, enlightened me — it was fun."
"Excellent."
"It was a great way to get to know others in the session."

Leadership & Cooperation — Suitable for high school and middle school students, this workshop has been highly successful with regional student council retreats, and can be fine-tuned to the needs of the sponsoring organization.

Complete Story Maker — By collectively dramatizing a well-known "Jack" tale, learn to successfully plot an original story, while developing dynamic characters, and fearlessly tell those stories.

Move Your Story Along — ignite your stories with well-placed movement, gesture, dance

Support Your Voice — breathing from the diaphragm and relaxing your vocal apparatus

Workshops usually take place after a performance of stories; can be done in an assembly format; or for small groups or individual classrooms during class times.

In Illinois a 2-3 day Residency can be 50% funded by the Illinois Arts Council Artstour or Quickstart programs. Read Patricia's section on funding for more information.

A one month residency can be 60% funded by the Illinois Arts Council Arts-in-Education Program. This is also covered in the section on funding.

Patricia provides Teacher's Workshop: how to effectively continue the work to improve student writing and speaking; and as an outlet of student expression.

Assemblies (for workshops or performances) are generally broken into groups
Suggested breakdown by grades: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Suggested 3 Day residency, offered as an example

Day #1:

Performances in assembly (grades: K-2, 3-5, 6-8)

Day #2:

Workshops in assembly (grades: 3-5, 6-8, Teacher In-Service):
Collectively tell and dramatize known folktale in information bites,
performed by approximately 25 students with the input of all; analyze story.

Day #3:

Workshops in assembly:
Collectively tell and dramatize original story in information bites,
performed by another 25 students with input of all, modeling after
the "template" developed yesterday

Modeled at St. Aloysius School in Springfield, IL and at the Illinois Association of the Teachers of English.

$600 per day plus mileage and lodging, if necessary. In Champaign or Douglas County, $500 per day, cut in half by Artstour or QuickStart funding from the Illinois Arts Council. See Patricia's Fees section and Funding section for more details.