Seventh grade students from Maple Hill Middle School in the Schodack School District joined the professionals as tellers during the 3rd annual Riverway Storytelling Festival. Storyteller Mary Murphy taught the students in Mrs. Chris Fowler's and Mrs. Marilyn Michaels' "Connections Class" how to choose a story, learn it and tell it to an audience.
CASST rehearsals at Maple Hill
Ten students joined CASST (Connections After School Storytelling Troupe): Brighid Docherty, Adam Fuller, Josh Gwynn, Jake Jasiewicz, Erin Kayser, Heather MacIsaac, Destiny LeBrecht, Corey Legge, Sean Purdy, and Mike Warner. These students received additional training and learned more stories during several afternoon workshop sessions.
They performed their stories for classmates, senior citizens, fourth graders as well as for family and friends in a special performance at the Castleton Public Library, March 30th.
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CASST members sharing stories at Castle Hill,
an assisted living apartment complex in Castleton | CASST member telling to 4th graders at Maple Hill |
Capping their storytelling experience were performances for third graders from all over the Capital District at Riverway's "Story Walk" at the New York State Museum. That event was held April 7th. The CASTT members told at a location on the floor of the Museum while four professional tellers told in other locations. Student tellers got the chance to hear many different telling styles and techniques to complement their learning.
On April 9, Maple Hill CASST members told stories at the main branch of the Albany Public Library during the Festival's main day. Capital News 9/Time Warner Cable was there, recorded these great stories, and broadcast them for several months.
While at Albany Public Library, the student tellers again had the opportunity to attend performances and workshops given by professional tellers.
The students came away from CASST with a knowledge of stories and storytelling and the ability to perform in front of many different audiences. They gained confidence and skills that will prepare them for any kind of oral presentation. Plus - they had fun!
