Smoke Hole Sessions EP 4: Mouth Open, Story Jump Out, feat. Jan Blake
May 26, 2021
Join Jan Blake, a renowned storyteller with over 25 years of global experience, as she shares her journey from Manchester to the world stage. She delves into the profound responsibility of storytelling, emphasizing the importance of authenticity. Jan and Martin discuss the nuances of becoming a true storyteller and the significance of cultural narratives. They also explore spontaneous storytelling's connection to creativity, engagement techniques in teaching, and how these elements transform identity and heritage.
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Family Stories
- Jan Blake's mother wove stories of her family in Jamaica into their daily lives.
- This constant storytelling created a strong sense of connection, eliminating the need for introductions when they finally met.
Early Acting Career
- Jan Blake's acting career began with a one-woman show about mental health and racism.
- Later, negative experiences with a community theatre company led to distrust and cynicism.
Start of Storytelling
- Jan Blake's storytelling journey began in 1986 after an audition with Common Law Storytellers.
- Ben Haggerty from the Crick Crack Club recognized her talent and encouraged her to pursue storytelling.
