Storytelling opens a land of diverse opportunity

Tommy "Kapai" Wilson has taught creative writing classes in 100 New Zealand schools for 20 years. He has written 35 books for children and is a favourite storyteller with young and old.

The focus of the course is introducing students to the art of storytelling with particular reference to Maori culture and the local environment. Students will be encouraged to present stories that reflect their immediate surroundings and give the audience a sense of the origins, culture and landmarks within that locale.

The ethos of the course is to work closely with students to develop confidence in their own storytelling, to encourage them to use a personal style and their own particular skills to interact and communicate with different audiences - the clients they could be working with.

The core of storytelling is to bring to life through narrative aspects of that particular place or places from which the story derives.

For example, about 950,000 people walk around Mauao in the Bay of Plenty each year yet few know even how Mauao got its name.

The course goal is to empower storytellers to share these narratives whenever and wherever possible.

This course will develop vocabulary and verbal skills, in both Te Reo and English, by training participants in the use of voice and gesture; by demonstrating the processes of engaging with the audience; the use of props, repetition, emphasis and phraseology.

Included will be a brief historical overview of the cultural and social psychology of indigenous storytelling traditions.

With the acquisition of skills will come a growing confidence in both the form and presentation of the story.

Once qualified as storytellers there will be opportunities to engage and encourage others whenever an opportunity presents itself for storytelling as paid employment.

As well as working in tourist venues, malls and heritage locations such as Gate Pa, or to entertain cruise ship passengers coming ashore, or taking part in local events such as the Tauranga Regional Multicultural Society festival, there is a positive response emerging to the concept of a storytelling festival to be held in Tauranga Moana.

This would provide an excellent opportunity for students to get public experience.

More information and schedules are available from tommy@ttw.org.nz