Once Upon a Time – Kan Ya Makan Storytelling Workshop

21 February '18 at 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

With Elias Matar from El Bayet Centre for Performing Arts and Drama Therapy

Title: Once Upon a Time – Kan Ya Makan  Storytelling Workshop

Date: 21 February, 6:00 – 8:00 pm

Fee: £10

 This workshop will explore the magical medium of storytelling, one of the most popular art forms in the Arab world, through the embodiment of El Hakawati (The Storyteller). Started in rural areas when shepherds used to gather under a tree to share stories with villagers, this art form gradually moved to cafés and diwans to become a tool of resistance and social justice.

Everyone knows a good story, modern or ancient, that is worth being shared and listened to. This introductory session will explore techniques of storytelling and offer a platform to share these stories and explore them artistically through drama, dance, music, visual theatre and play.

Participants will start by introducing themselves and having a physical and vocal warm up. You will then move into the realm of stories and imagination, using drama exercises to collect stories from the participants’ personal experiences. After this, you will work on some of these stories in small groups with the option to present them at the end of the session.

In addition to being fun and artistic, the workshop will use social theatre as well as drama therapy tools to allow participants to experience a therapeutic process helping them deal with the daily challenges that life can bring in a busy metropolitan environment.

Participants

This workshop is suitable for adults who are interested in Arabic folk tales and culture and would benefit from learning this art form in a creative and contained setting, or for those who are curious to explore their hidden talents and try something new. No previous experience required.

Language: The sessions will be bilingual (Arabic and English). Speakers of only one or both of these languages are welcome to join.

Facilitator: Elias Matar is a Palestinian drama therapist, workshop facilitator, performer and founder of the El Bayet Centre for Performing Arts & Drama Therapy. Elias holds an MA in Drama and Movement Therapy from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London and a BA in Social Theatre.

Time: 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Dates: 21 February '18

Venue

The Arab British Centre

1 Gough Square,

Organiser

The Arab British Centre and El Bayet Centre for Performing Arts and Drama Therapy

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