Storytellers and Literary Artists

I’m a playwright and offer workshops on writing plays, as well as theatre- and creative writing-workshops. I’m used to working very flexibly so can create workshops to fit in with curriculum work and special projects, as well as provide masterclasses in playwriting – and can offer shorter workshops or activity spanning an entire week.

I’ve been leading workshops for over 20 years and worked with (amongst many others): Plymouth Theatre Royal; RIO; Cornwall Youth Theatre Company; Truro School; Brannel School; Bodmin College; Treviglas College; Stoke Damerel Primary School; Penryn College; Hall for Cornwall.

As well as writing and leading workshops I’m an actor and director, and co-run Bedlam Theatre Company of Cornwall and Bedlam Youth Theatre.

Contact: 01872 272695 or email esh@bedlamtc.co.uk

Natasha Carthew is a well-known Cornish Poet with three books to her name. She is passionate about poetry and engaging in young people to explore their thoughts and feelings and the environment around them. She is very popular with students and is known for her dynamic approach to writing. She has just finished her first work of fiction and recently secured an agent.

Contact: natashacarthew@yahoo.co.uk

I am a novelist and creative writing workshop leader. I am passionate about language and literature. Sharing this enthusiasm with pupils lies at the heart of my teaching style: my workshops enable students to explore the technical aspects of writing in a fun and engaging way. Recent sessions have included work on: character, plot, narrative voice, ‘showing not telling’, setting, point of view and language.

I use a range of stimuli – photographs, objects, poems, music, articles and extracts from novels – to inspire students and build their confidence. Pupils participate in a wide variety of activities, such as games, writing exercises, discussion, group work and most importantly, the space to experiment with language and write extended pieces of work. This enables all students to develop their skills no matter what their age or level of expertise. ‘

She’s one of the best teachers in the history of teachers!’ Year 3 pupil ‘Thank you for a great course. It really did what I hoped it would do – give me the confidence in my ability to actually get writing.’

For more information, please see www.harriethopkinson.co.uk

Sara is a storyteller and workshop leader with a special interest in interpreting history and place. She encourages creativity and imagination, with people of all ages, through story making activities using oral telling, drama, movement, creative writing or craft techniques; and enjoys working outside and site-specifically. The rich world of traditional folk-tale and myth is at the heart of her practise.

Storytelling: Sara is interested in telling traditional stories from Devon, Britain and around the world as a listening, performance experience that can then be explored through bespoke workshops.

Story making: She creates narratives through non-written and written methods, developing language and literacy, creativity and sequential thinking, speaking, listening and co-operation skills.

Schools and museums: Her work involves generating believable stories from social history, sometimes using objects.

Working outside creatively: She takes inspiration from the location and it’s people to make new stories and prompt personal ones.

Her work is informed by her many years of experience in drama, dance and movement, creative writing and craft. Sara is founder and director of integrated arts company ‘Blazing Tales’ .

Sara’s CV can be viewed here Sara Hurley CV

Contact:

saramohurley@yahoo.co.uk

www.and-then-she-said.co.uk

07878 758084

I am a poet, script and fiction writer and artist with a special interest in site-specific work, memory, secret history and hidden stories. I have strong craft skills and extensive outdoor learning experience. I am passionate about creative learning and have extensive experience running workshops at home and abroad, including being official writer for the 60th anniversary of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, creative partner in schools and workshop leader at The Peasant Museum and Natural History museum in Bucharest. As a poet I have performed in England and Serbia, and as a scriptwriter I have written for CBeebies.

Details of my art and writing projects can be seen at www.andtheghostssosilver.com

Contact:

andtheghostssosilver@gmail.com

Patricia Finney is a published author with 20 years of experience in conducting workshops and lectures for adults and children of all ages. Her published novels include Elizabethan spy thrillers and crime novels, commissioned children’s books set in Elizabethan times and the two Jack books – childrens’ stories about a Cornish dog, told in Doglish. She is very happy to adapt her content to whatever is currently being focussed on by the school and she has some experience of special needs.

There are three main strands of workshop:

1. Creative Writing
2. What do writers do?
3. Historical talks based on research into Elizabethan life: Chicken-chucking – NOT An exploration of Elizabethan food which can include a cooking session where the children make an Elizabethan dish
Did Queen Elizabeth wear knickers? An exploration of Elizabethan clothing and how it related to status and trade

Guns and Dung  -what’s the connection? An exploration of 16th century weapons and warfare

Please download more information here

Contact:

Tel 01872 264656

07704 173745

patriciafinney@btinternet.com

John tells an eclectic mix of his own original tales and those that have been passed down over the generations, drawing equally from local traditions and far flung and exotic lands. His unique interactive style can make the listener part of the story and you are left in no doubt that each new telling is a version that has never been heard before.
John Brolly specialises in storytelling for all age groups, from Pre-school to Pensioner. He is currently storyteller in residence at St Levan School’s parent and child group. He is a professional actor and director and can turn a simple idea into an epic performance involving a whole school but at the same time reducing the most complex of tales to its simplest basic human emotions.
In John’s hands storytelling is not a passive art form and can spiral into a dynamic experience of music, drama and dance.

Contact
01736 810490
www.storytellerjohnbrolly.webs.com

Phil Bowen is a poet, performer and playwright who has worked in over 300 schools. He was a teacher for many years in Liverpool (Head of Drama), Devon and Cornwall. His poetry has appeared in The Forward Book of Poetry 1998 and he has two collections, Variety’s Hammer and Starfly, both published by Stride. He has also written books on poetry and Bob Dylan and poetry and The Beatles. Phil lives in Cornwall and is keen to work with Infants, Juniors or Secondary Schools on any poetry related, spoken word or ‘gifted and talented’ project.

Contact:

E phil.bowen49@virgin.net

T 01736 360531

M 07866819763