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Healing Through Story - with International Storyteller and Author and Laura Simms
by GPI Atlantic
Halifax and Charlottetown
Laura Simms, international storyteller, author, and humanitarian coming to Nova Scotia and PEI for International Development Week (February 2-9), hosted through the Atlantic Council for International Cooperation under the auspices of GPI Atlantic and the University of Prince Edward Island.
The Storytelling Concert at St. Mary’s University is sponsored by The Storytellers Circle of Halifax.
Laura Simms received the Brimstone Award for Engaged Storytelling, CHOICE award for best story collection and Sesame Street’s SUNNY DAYS award for work with children worldwide. Her most recent book is OUR SECRET TERRITORY: The Essence of Storytelling (Sentient Publications, June 2011). Laura is the adoptive mother of best selling author Ishmael Beah (Long Way Gone) <http://www.laurasimms.com/> >
Event Schedule:
Tuesday, February 4, 1-4 pm, The Power of Story Workshop for Organizations – story as the inherent territory of transformation and healing, Museum of Natural History, $40 per person, contact Gwen Colman,
gwen@gpiatlantic.org or 902 489-7007 or 902 823-1944
Charlottetown: Thursday, February 6, 4:30 pm, Healing through Story performance and talk, University of Prince Edward Island, Alex H. MacKInnon Auditorium (Room 242), Dona and Marion McDougall Hall, reception to follow. $20, purchase tickets through
www.eventbrite.ca <http://www.eventbrite.ca <http://www.eventbrite.ca> > or contact Erin Clarke at eeclarke@upei.ca
Saturday, February 8, 7:30 pm, A Theatre of Wild Mercy Storytelling Concert presented by the Storytellers Circle of Halifax. Laura will draw from her rich repertoire of traditional stories and personal narrative, enriched by the Gallery’s current show: Rose Adams’ Birds, Bones and Brains, Saint Mary’s University Art Gallery 5865 Gorsebrook, $20 or $15 for students, limited seating.
Sunday, February 9, 1:30-4:30, Telling Our Stories: Transforming Our Lives Workshop for Youth (age 14-28) – use ancient models of myth and fable to create your own voice project, GPI Youth Studio, free of charge, limited enrollment, contact Gwen Colman,
gwen@gpiatlantic.org or 902 489-7007 or 902 823-1944. Youth who attend the workshop are invited to be Laura’s guests and attend her storytelling concert at SMU free of charge.
About Laura Simms Healing through Story programme:
Whether we share our own experience, the story of another, or tell a traditional tale, engaged storytelling has profound effects. The most difficult memories become story and in the process give us access to resources of intelligence and empathy that uncover inherent joy.
The meaning of a story reaches beyond the surface of hearing or intellectual discourse into the heart. We touch the territory of transformation, resilience and compassion. Storytelling can be the cause of wars or the impetus for liberation and healing communication. We will explore how the alchemy of engagement, bringing story to life between people in the present, repairs the devastating disconnection at the root of conflicts, intolerance, isolation, and unnecessary suffering today.
Through a riveting sharing of stories, personal and ancient, Laura will bring us into a deeper understanding of the power of story. For those choosing to work in the fields of development, health, education or humanitarian aid, story is a revelatory tool for change and healing.
Biography
Laura Simms is an award-winning storyteller, recording artist, teacher, writer and humanitarian based in New York City. Remarkable performances of traditional stories interwoven with personal narrative have earned Laura Simms worldwide recognition and honors since 1968.
Laura has created an irresistible cutting-edge performance style that bridges ancient oral tradition and performance art. Her storytelling is meaningful and uncannily entertaining. Her warmth, depth of understanding, profound effect on listeners, diverse material, humor, dynamic voice and range of characterizations have achieved legendarystatus.
She is a Senior Research Fellow for the International Peace institute at Rutgers University Newark under the auspices of UNESCO. She performs worldwide for adult and young audiences. As a spokesperson for storytelling she presents keynotes and workshops in conferences, villages, schools, universities and community events.
She is a member of the Therapeutic Arts Alliance of Manhattan, and a senior teacher of meditation.
Laura received the Brimstone Award for Engaged Storytelling, CHOICE award for best story collection and Sesame Street’s SUNNY DAYS award for work with children worldwide. She is co-faculty with Terry Tempest Williams’ at the University of Utah, consults with ETSU’s CANCER STORIES project, and is spoken word consultant for Foundations, NGOS working in post disaster and conflicts.
She recently appeared at the Newark Peace Summit and the Conference on World Peace and Values in Monterrey, Mexico. Her most recent book is OUR SECRET TERRITORY: The Essence of Storytelling (Sentient Publications, June 2011). Laura is the adoptive mother of best selling author Ishmael Beah (Long Way Gone.
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