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.
Jan Blake emphasizes the importance of authenticity in storytelling, highlighting the responsibility that comes with truly connecting to an audience.
Storytelling is positioned as a transformative ritual, enabling individuals to engage with complex societal issues and their own cultural heritage.
Deep dives
The Ritual Power of Storytelling
Storytelling serves as a powerful ritual that can address and confront underlying evils in society. The speaker highlights how storytelling goes beyond mere entertainment; it acts as a means of transformation, evoking feelings and reflections among audiences. This alchemical process allows storytellers to explore taboo subjects and engage with the complexities of human experience. By embracing storytelling traditions, individuals can access a deeper understanding of themselves and their communities.
Personal Journey into Storytelling
Jan Blake shares her profound relationship with storytelling, stemming from her upbringing as a child of migrants. Her mother’s narratives about distant family members created an intrinsic connection to her familial heritage, which paved the way for her own storytelling journey. In 1986, she formally started as a storyteller, utilizing her experiences to form deep connections with her audience. Through engaging stories, she elicits emotions and fosters a sense of shared identity, revealing the interconnectedness of cultures and experiences.
The Revival and Artistry of Storytelling
The revival of storytelling as an art form in urban Britain led to the establishment of significant platforms for storytellers to share their work. Organizations like Common Law Storytellers and the Crick Crack Club have pushed storytelling beyond traditional boundaries, presenting it as a standalone performance art. The dialogue stresses the importance of recognizing storytelling as both an accessible craft and a professional discipline, promoting accountability and excellence in storytelling practices. This idea fosters a healthy appreciation for the depth and richness that expert storytellers bring to the craft.
Teaching and Sharing the Craft
Jan discusses her evolution in teaching storytelling, reflecting on her initial experiences and eventual breakthroughs in engaging students. The integration of diverse teaching materials, including film and proverbs, enriches the learning experience and encourages students to explore their cultural narratives. The creation of a storytelling community aims to connect storytellers, foster creativity, and provide a space for collaboration. This initiative emphasizes the importance of embracing one's cultural heritage while also cultivating an appreciation for the storytelling tradition as a whole.
In this episode renowned storyteller Jan Blake recounts her journey into storytelling as a young woman growing up in Manchester. Jan has been performing worldwide for over twenty-five years, specialising in stories from Africa, the Caribbean and Arabia; she is both dynamic and generous in her storytelling. Both Jan and Martin have spent decades honing their craft and have learnt over time what it means to be true masters. They ask at what point do you call yourself a storyteller? Everyone can tell a story but what makes one an expert? Jan explains that there is a responsibility to storytelling and that one must 'recognise the responsibility to stand in true authenticity' before an audience.
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