Story Telling Workshops for Young People
Got a story to tell?
The Opportunity Lab will be running workshops in January 2024 for young people to teach story telling through music, comedy and acting techniques to develop communication skills.
January 22 & 23 (Monday and Tuesday), 2024.
Over 2 days in January we will have professionals from acting, comedy and music facilitating workshops at the Fleming Park Community Hall and additional staff supporting the needs of participants. We are really excited about the people involved.
We encourage and support diverse identities to participate. We will work to accommodate diverse needs so please contact us to discuss.
On the last day we will provide an opportunity for any participants from across the two days to perform to a crowd. This could be done in character with a stage name, in costume or with a mask/face painted if you want. Young people can attend multiple sessions across the four days if available.
STORYTELLING THROUGH MUSIC WORKSHOP
Facilitated by a trained musician/ musical teacher/ music therapist. Through song and music there will be an exploration of the use of music to relay emotion, matching words and/ or music to tell a story. Participants will be encouraged to bring whatever instrument they play and others will be provided as needed.
STORYTELLING THROUGH COMEDY WORKSHOP
Facilitated by a comedian or trained actor/ teacher experienced in comedy. Through comedy participants will be encouraged to express themselves through the use of humour, catching people’s attention through teasing out a story. The use of humour is a way to get serious messages to people that are accessible. Ideas may be generated in the group or individually and participants will be encouraged to test their material out with each other.
STORYTELLING THROUGH ACTING WORKSHOP
Facilitated by an actor/ acting teacher experienced in the art of storytelling. Through acting participants will be encouraged to find things they want to talk about, could be part of their life or a creative idea and support them to act out their piece. The art of storytelling is a skill that can be used throughout our lives. For those with things that need saying and need to be shared with others we can create great impacts in changing people’s opinions and opening their minds.
WORKSHOP FACILITATORS
Facilitators are professionals in the music, acting and comedy fields with diverse experiences and diverse identities. Additional staff support also provided.
Below are some of the facilitators, there will be more added closer to the workshop dates.
Chanda Anderson Prior (Acting)
Chanda is a queer actor, writer and producer who grew up surrounded by the arts in the Melbourne CBD. Her love for theatre was born out of an excruciatingly powerful want to play Annie on the big stage, a dream that sadly, she has grown too old for. Chanda has graduated from the Ballarat Arts Academy with a BA in Music Theatre. Since graduating she has staged her first production entitled Fruitcup, and founded ‘Mover’s Call Theatre Company’ with two colleagues. Chanda strives to create healing, thought provoking works that promote inclusivity. In 2023 Chanda is excited to be studying Full Time Dance with Kelly Aykers.
Chanda is facilitating the Acting Workshops.
Zakary Pietsch (Acting)
Zakary has involved themselves in the world of stage theatre from a young age, discovering a love for performance and storytelling. Zakary’s passion for the theatre extended when they discovered a love for music and song. Zakary has recently graduated from Federation University Arts Academy with a bachelor’s degree in Performing Arts. While studying, Zakary has been fortunate enough to be directed by Anthony Crowley in the musical productions of Made in Dagenham and The Sentimental Bloke. Since graduating, they have recently worked with Mover’s Call Theatre Company on their debut production of This is Life. They are excited to continue their journey working in the Melbourne theatre scene.
Zakary is facilitating the Acting Workshops.
Patrick Collins (Comedy)
Patrick Collins is a comedian, magician, poet, not a mime and the winner of Best Comedy at Melbourne Fringe 2020. She was Nominated for a Green Room Award for Best Performer last year and is the host of Melbourne’s original alternative comedy night; Shrub Comedy.
Patrick has been performing professionally since winning the Victorian Final of MICF's Class Clowns competition in 2011. Honing her skill hosting pup trivia for 9 years, she has gone on to do the Comedy Festival Roadshow, had a radio show & a podcast as well as writing, producing and performing 8 full length solo shows across her career.
She has performed for thousands of children across Victoria in schools as an incursion facilitator, in backyards as a party host and on stage as a kids entertainer and magician.
Patrick is facilitating the Comedy Workshops.
Location: Fleming Park Community Hall (102 Victoria St Brunswick East)
Dates: January 22 & 23 (Monday and Tuesday), 2024.
Times: there are 2 sessions each day. Each session runs for 2.5 hours.
Morning session: 9.30am - 12:00pm (you can arrive any time from 8:30am)
Afternoon session: 1:00pm - 3:30pm
Age groups:
8 - 12 years and 13 - 18 years
Cost for one session:
$40 Full Price
$30 Concession
- Concession applies to Young People with an out of home experience, Young People who are neurodiverse, Young People who identify as LGBTQI, and Young People who are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander (if this applies please click the Redeem Coupon button and use the code CONC during the booking process to get the reduced price).
Pay it forward: If you would like to pay for a Young Person who cannot afford to pay please donate $30 (or as much as you like).