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“FROM
INNER WORLDS”
Autobiographical Writing/Performing
Workshops
OVERALL
DESCRIPTION
A participatory workshop on how to use personal stories to create
theatrical performances.
Participants experience a variety of physical,
vocal, conceptual and emotional exercises designed to evoke
various types of stories and memories. Oral stories are explored
thoroughly, then translated into writing. From the written page,
stories are then structured and staged to create a live theatrical
presentation.
I have successfully used this approach in workshops
all over the United States as well as in other countries and
cultures, with people of different ages and backgrounds, with
experienced writer/performers and with people who had never
set foot onstage in their lives.
THEORETICAL
BACKGROUND
“Telling your story” can be an act of self-empowerment
and validation. It can be a means for people to understand themselves
more deeply; to acknowledge the challenges they have faced on
their life journey; to celebrate and take honest pride in who
they are; and to make intelligent, positive, non-reactionary
choices for the future. This is a vehicle to self-knowledge
which is quite simple (storytelling) but has great potential
for powerfully transformative art.
Deep exploration of ones “inner world”
means a willingness to take an unflinching look at experiences
of deep emotion and passion. These are important pieces of human
experience yet we are generally not encouraged to acknowledge
them. Instead we are pushed to numb and distract ourselves and
ignore that inner world. But having the opportunity to actually
look within, especially in the context of a supportive group,
can have a profound impact on personal growth as well as serve
as a catalyst for the creation of a powerful theatrical experience.
PEOPLE
I believe humans are inherently good, intelligent, creative,
powerful, cooperative and caring beings. I believe our natural
state of being is one of spirited enjoyment of being alive,
connected to all life, in harmony with ourselves and others.
However most of the time human behavior does not embody or express
these wonderful qualities. Something goes wrong, something disconnects
us from our finest humanity and pulls us into irrationality.
I don't believe this irrationality is inherent, I think it is
the result of something that happens to us – we get hurt.
We get hurt in a thousand different ways, a thousand different
times, on a thousand different levels and we carry the effects
of those hurts with us, often unconsciously. It limits us, confuses
us, separates us, pits us against one another and often against
ourselves. It narrows our minds, our hearts and our lives.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Currently we live in a society which values profit over human
beings, which is primarily motivated by greed, and which is
loaded with many forms of oppressive mistreatment: sexism, racism,
classism, men’s oppression, Gay oppression, anti-Semitism
and more. These societal oppressions keep the society functioning
(i.e. cheaper labor from females, overworked men, obedient people
of color, etc.), but it comes at the expense of our humanity
and inter-connectedness. And if we look deeply enough, it is
not hard to see how our lives have been limited and damaged
by these oppressions.
OUR STORIES
If we wish to transform society from irrational/destructive/oppressive
into something that is cooperative/healing/respectful, we must
look at how WE have been affected by society. This is a crucial
step: to gain a clearer picture of ourselves so that we are
not living our lives in unaware reaction to the oppressive forces
that hurt us.
How do we begin to undo and heal from the many
hurtful things that happened to us, and regain our sense of
harmony?
We need to tell our stories. We need to be heard.
This is our starting place.
BASIC WORKSHOP COMPONENTS
A workshop has two distinct components: “process”
and “product”.
“Process” consists of the various activities
through which participants explore different facets of their
lives. People have the opportunity to directly examine issues
in a safe and supportive environment. I create a space for people
to tell their stories the way they actually experienced them,
with all the passion and energy -- not just the polite, sanitized,
mechanical versions. There is often a cathartic effect from
this, and it is not unusual for people to have powerful emotional
breakthroughs. The result is clearer thinking and restoration
of inner harmony. Various categories of identity are explored
including class, gender, race/culture/ethnicity, nationality,
sexuality, etc. We also explore stories of different emotional
extremes - love, joy, heartbreak, outrage, terror, embarrassment,
triumph, etc. The “process” component is valuable
in and of itself.
The “product” is the transformation
of ones personal story into a theatrical performance. Participants
have the opportunity to stretch their creativity, strengthen
their ability to focus, regain and deepen their powers of expression,
and reinforce their sense of groundedness (onstage and in the
world).
WORKSHOP TOOLS &
METHODS
I incorporate numerous physical games and activities combined
with writing exercises to help participants find and explore
their stories. Often these can be as fun as they are intensely
challenging.
Included are activities designed to:
Increase flexibility in body movement, facial expression
and vocal range
Enhance awareness of spatial relationships, energy levels and
timing
Heighten physical, energetic, and emotional sensitivity
Develop improvisational creativity
Regain playful spirit and zest
Deepen interpersonal connection skills
Another basic tool I teach and use is the technique
of “active listening”. This is a powerful aid for
reaching the heart of a story. It is simple in concept but very
difficult in practice. It consists of providing supportive,
nurturing and thoughtful attention to someone as they explore
deeply personal and intimate subjects which may be highly-charged
with emotion -- the kinds of stories which make most compelling
and moving art.
BASIC WORKSHOP STRUCTURE
Workshops can range from one-day introductory events to extended
residencies of up to two months with 2-3 meetings per week.
A typical workshop meeting is 3-4 hours long.
It consists of: a dyad check-in (greeting/connecting); group
check-in; physical warm-up; improvisational vocal & physical
exercises. There are usually 1-2 specific themes or topics explored
each meeting, through physical activities which lead into writing
exercises. Participants then read their work aloud with others.
Occasionally I will work with an individual in front of the
group to further explore their story. In an extended residency,
homework assignments (writing) are given and people later share
these in the group.
In addition I present concepts about storytelling
as vehicle for personal liberation.
Also in an extended residency, during the final
week or so I work with each participant to shape his or her
individual story into a theatrical creation. Collaborative performances
between participants are also encouraged, as mutual support
is a highly-valued principle throughout the workshop. Finally,
as many group rehearsals as possible take place leading up to
the final presentation.
I’m interested in helping people find and explore stories
which reflect their efforts to maintain human integrity. My
workshops provide an opportunity for people to honor such stories
(and themselves), and transform them into powerful theatrical
creations.
For
more information or to schedule a workshop, please contact Dan
Kwong.
310-453-4544 voice / DKBB12@AOL.COM
