The National Association of Black Storytellers’ online Storytelling Contest is starting March 27th. This year’s theme “Aesop Remix: Old School for a New Day” opens the door to creative, soul-stirring, heartwarming, social commentary-like, wisdom endowed storytelling!
INFORMATION ON AESOP, QUINTESSENTIAL TALE SPINNER
Aesop is believed to have lived from about 620 to 560 B.C. He was an enslaved Grecian of African (Ethiopian) descent and world renowned master storyteller. Aesop was known for the wisdom tales told to indirectly persuade human behavior, thought, and decisions. While his stories were adapted for children, these wisdom tales were often meant to influence adults to behave morally and responsibly.
SUPPORTING RESOURCES
Aethiop/Aesop by Seba Damani (Donald Saunderson)
Variations on Aesop’s Fables-The New York Times
AESOP ONLINE COLLECTIONS
A printable collection of Aesop Fables
BOOKS
Aesop’s Fables by Aesop and V.S. Vernon Jones
Aesop: Tales of Aethiop the African by Jamal Koram
Life can get crazy busy, especially when you decide you want to take on a project like…a contest. I understand interruptions and procrastination all too well. It took me forever just to write this blog. To give your most compelling delivery it’s going to take some planning.
RAMONA’S TIPS FOR A CONTEST ENTRY
- Mark the deadline, and your chosen start date on a calendar or enter into your phone now.
- Mark your personal early deadline for entry on your calendar and phone. Let’s face it, judges will be as fair as possible. But wouldn’t you want to be fresh in their heads with the first set of entries? Entries at the end will be in view of some pretty tired judges.
- Read as many stories as you can, until you find that one that speaks to you, your storytelling style, and inspires a new creation.
- Decide if the characters and setting will remain the same or will you change them.
- Decide if you will use the same language. If you place your characters in another setting or time, you may want to use appropriate language.
- Rehearse your story and rehearse your story again.
- Submit on your chosen deadline date. Celebrate Completion.
INSPIRATION FOR YOUR PERFORMANCE
Jabu and the Lion
Arit’s Fables (Arit Essien)
Black Storytelling Festival in Hampton
NABS in Hampton, VA
Be sure to visit NABS’ Website on or after March 15, 2016 for information and criteria on our upcoming 3rd National Online Storytelling Contest. Cash Prizes Awarded.
Happy Storytelling!
Ramona King is a member of the NABS Education Committee. She is the mother of 3 young adults. For more than 25 years she’s performed at schools, museums, conferences, and Universities with stories for Building Families and the Esteem of Children and Youth. She is the founder and owner of Catch a Story Productions—providing solo performances, workshops and historical portrayals
www.facebook.com/RamonaKingStories
NABS Talking 