EVENTS

STORYCIRCLE WORKSHOP: HOW WE LEARN WHO WE ARE

In Language of Dolls we explore how we come to know ourselves as social beings through education, family culture, and play. We acknowledge the subtle and overt ways that we are taught about life expectations and opportunities, as well as how to think of ourselves in relation to the larger world. This Storycircle Workshop brings us in front of these questions:
Who taught us what we believe?
What was a moment of recognition that we had regarding race, class, gender or ability – about ourselves or someone else?
When was a time we have learned something from someone who is different than ourselves?
How do we see ourselves now?
How have we changed in the last two years?
What events or people from history or popular culture do we hold as role models?
What has perplexed us about our history with race?
What old messages do we still carry?

Space is limited to 16 participants.

About the facilitators:
Peggy Pettitt has facilitated many workshops here and abroad in diverse institutional and community settings. The Ajoda African elders and the Pearls of Wisdom storytelling ensembles grew out of such exchanges where one’s authentic voice is allowed to be heard. Lizzie Olesker has used storytelling methodology and interviews in her work with filmmaker Lynn Sachs to create the film/performance The Washing Society. Louise Smith taught Storytelling, Autoperformance, and Dialogue Across Difference at Antioch College.

WHAT TO EXPECT

In this workshop, we will be using a methodology first employed by John O’Neal of the Free Southern Theater. “A Story Circle is a group facilitation process built around narrative and personal experience. A group of people tell personal stories, led by a facilitator. Story Circles are always meant to create a safe space for people to share across different experiences.”

ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION: Accessible seating and a non-gendered, ADA accessible bathroom available. Touchstone strives to create an environment where all members of our community feel welcome. Please contact (610) 867-1689 or via email at touchstone@touchstone.org to request accessibility accommodations in advance.

[Image description: A group of people stand in a half-circle. This half-circle is composed of people from all sorts of races, ethnicities, genders, ages, heights, and body types. At the head of the half-circle stands an elderly Black man, wearing a pink button down shirt, black slacks, suspenders, and a flat brimmed cap. He is animated, perhaps in the middle of telling a story. The rest of the people in the photo stare at him in rapt attention. They all stand in the middle of what appears to be a conference room. It features a tan patterned carpet, a white ceiling with fluorescent bulbs built in, wall to ceiling windows, and tables with green plastic chairs scattered in the background.]