(Dates are tentative)
The focus of this “Taking Your Story to the Stage” 3-day workshop is on storytelling performance. Each participant is asked to come with a story that is almost “stage-ready.” Set in Connie’s home tucked in the beautiful mountains surrounding Asheville, NC, this workshop provides a supportive, affirming atmosphere to nurture storytellers’ performance skills and confidence.
“Taking Your Story to the Stage” is open only to those who have previously studied with Connie. If you have not had this opportunity and/or Connie has not heard you tell a story, a private coaching session may be required. More information can be found on here.
There are now a limited number of partial scholarship funds available for “Taking Your Story to the Stage” workshop. You can apply for up to 1/2 of the cost of tuition. A special thanks to those who are supporting the scholarship fund. Contributions to the fund are always welcome.
Even if you are not available for the workshop, please join nationally celebrated storyteller, Connie Regan-Blake, as she hosts her workshop tellers in an enchanting evening of storytelling in “A Slice of Life: An Evening of Stories.” Additional details to be announced.
(Date is tentative)
Join nationally celebrated storyteller Connie Regan-Blake as she hosts her storytelling students for another stellar performance of unique voices in “A Slice of Life: An Evening of Stories.” Enjoy a great lineup of storytellers who are participating! Connie will emcee the evening and also share a story.
Saturday, May 14, 2022. More information to come as available.
Connie’s three-day workshop, “Taking Your Story to the Stage”, emphasizes storytelling performance and supports participants in taking their next step. As part of this workshop, her participants have the opportunity to exercise these new stage skills in a formal performance setting. The last four “Slice of Life” shows have been sell-outs – so get your tickets early!
“The Round Robin of storytellers at Connie Regan-Blake’s “Slice of Life” show gave me a rare listening treat. Each story was as unique as the voice that told it. What great fun to hear a mountain art form so well-spun!”
–Donna Marie Todd
storyteller, singer and story workshop leader
In-person – Connie’s performance storytelling along with workshop ideas, on Thursday, June 23, 2022, 3:00-5:00 pm at the Center for Life Enrichment in Highlands, NC. Open to public.
The Art & Heart of Stories: The stories that we tell shape our lives as much as they come from our experiences. Listeners are invited to come along on a laugh-out-loud and remarkable storytelling journey from Connie Regan-Blake’s mountain top leap in New Zealand to her husband’s “Dorky Spandex vs Macho Leather” encounter on the Blue Ridge Parkway to the sparkling traditional Scottish tale, “Well at the End of the World.”
Intertwined with her performance stories, Connie will generously share ideas and tools she has developed and learned throughout her trailblazing storytelling career. Through partner exercises and a ‘walk through memories’, you will enjoy exploring events of your own life. Utilizing ‘deep listening,’ she will guide you in experiencing how the 5 senses and the ‘colors’ of the moment bring a story to life and connect you to your listeners. Whether your interests lie in telling stories to family on the front porch, or more effectively connecting with staff and the public – or performing for a group, you’ll have a taste of ‘art & heart’ of storytelling.
For more details see Center for Life Enrichment.
Plan now to attend the 50th annual National Storytelling Festival! Connie Regan-Blake will be performing and has the distinct pleasure of being on stage for all 49 Festivals so far.
On a warm October weekend in 1973 the first National Storytelling Festival was held in historic Jonesborough, TN. Hay bales and wagons were the stages, and audience and tellers together didn’t number more than 60. It was intimate, but something happened that weekend that forever changed our culture, this traditional art form, and the little Tennessee town.
Connie was a founding member of this organization that became the center of an ever-widening movement that continues to gain momentum to this day. Storytelling organizations, festivals, and educational events have popped up all over the world. Teachers, healthcare workers, therapists, corporate executives, librarians, spiritual leaders, parents, and others regularly make storytelling a vibrant part of their everyday lives and work.
See International Storytelling Center for tickets and more info.