Rimutaka Prison, New Zealand, 2013

Six years ago today I went in to Rimutaka Prison near Wellington in New Zealand. I was on a four week tour starting in Invercargill on the South Island, where I performed in concerts and schools for ten days with fellow Storyteller Bill Harley. Then I set off to explore the magnificent country of “The Long White Cloud”. 

My time in Rimutaka, the largest men’s prison in New Zealand is a treasured experience. I didn’t write a blog post about it st the time, but I did write a Facebook entry.  I would like to share that with you today. 

May 22, 2013

Yesterday I went into Rimutaka men's prison with Hermione to do two storytelling/writing workshops.  They were both in the Drug Rehabilitation Unit - a therapeutic community where men stay six months - they were about to graduate from the intensive program (although a few of the next batch were already there,)  The first group were the "protection" prisoners (In the US - segregated) and the group after lunch were general population.

What an amazing experience.  The first group of men greeted us with a Maori welcome, ushering us into their home with prayers and songs, a song was sung by our group as a thanks. A beautiful, ritualized welcome - and then the workshop began.  The men told anecdotes, did writing exercises, - which they threw themselves into -and then told deeper stories that were delightful!  They really engaged with the process and the  therapeutic staff were deeply impressed  at the way the men responded.

The therapeutic staff gave us lunch behind the bars - oh my!  I had been expecting prison food and was flinching at the thought - but this was a magnificent feast cooked and brought in by those lovely staff!  Vegetable curry and rice, chick pea patties with a mint and chili dipping sauce that was only just this side of heaven, cream cheese and smoked salmon on baguettes, mouthwatering pineapple and lemon cake, traditional Kiwi cream buns......  Such delightful and delicious extravagance.  We were utterly spoiled!

Back into the main compound to do the second workshop.  Again we were greeted with the impressive, wonderful ritualized welcome. This group, was far more vocal, high energy and at times difficult to corral - but once they got into the process  they loved it and really connected.  The staff was amazed that in that constantly noisy place, silence descended for ten whole minutes while men did the writing exercise (New Zealand has one of the highest literacy rates in the world) - amazed is not the right word.  Blown away would be more correct!  And then the men shared stories that made us laugh and think - and understand...  Hermione was fabulous as always, handing out paper and showing off story starters as though these tough guys were her neighbors.  At the end of the workshop I thanked all the men - and I thought that was it.  But no!  They had a present for me.  Instead of only a ritualized spoken thanks - they performed a haka - an incredible honor.  To say I was moved was a total understatement - I was grateful, and profoundly touched and very humbled that they would extend that measure of respect. And it was magnificent!  My great thanks to Richard, Jacqui and Iona of Arts Access for arranging the visit.

Home to Judith and Tony's glorious pad overlooking the sound set for the movie "Lord of the Rings," and a dinner for all the local storytellers.

 

So we ended the evening with another feast, and shared stories around the fire.  

Bliss!  

A day that will live on in my mind for years

Workshop and Concert at the Secret Academy

I have had the most extraordinary day.

I was booked by a Storytelling Festival committee in Oak Ridge, Tennessee to pioneer a new program for their City’s school system. They have a special school within a school called the Secret Academy for children who are failing both educationally and at life, often because of very disruptive home situations. The young people frequently get into trouble because of adverse reactions to those pressures. These are the kids who never have recitals or concerts for their adults to attend because they never take part in those kind of programs.

The incredibly kind and caring Storytellers and Educators in the City decided to change that paradigm. They hired me hold a concert for 6th through 10th graders consisting of personal stories that the students had developed that day - quite a challenge!

Starting at 8.00am I taught a three hour workshop followed by brief lunch and an afternoon workshop. Then we gathered together for a quick dress rehearsal before the concert. 

I

t was a magic - if exhausting day!

The headmaster was amazed at what went on in the workshops leading up to the concert. The students, who usually have short attention spans were fully engaged in the story exercises and the preliminary sharing of stories. They then developed their main stories, told them to each other and then told them to the class. He let me know afterwards that some of the students that got up in front of their peers and shared personal stories never usually open their mouths in class. He was astounded to see how they participated. 

There were heart-rending stories, hilarious stories, and stories that made you wonder how these young people had survived. And those stories worked their magic. The bonding, support, and understanding that grew and then flowed in those workshops was palpable. 

The Storytelling Committee organized and sponsored a hearty pasta dinner before the evening concert. Not all the students could make it back to school in the evening, but the ones who did were excellent. We supplemented their tales with stories from a teacher and the headmaster. Both who did a  fabulous job. And I rounded out the day with some of my stories.

The Storytellers and Educators were all thrilled with the result. And I sloped off at the end of the event exhausted but exhilarated, once again amazed at the power of story to touch and transform lives. 

Another great day on the Storytelling Road.

(Written on Saturday May 4th 2019.  Posted on Sunday 5th.

I am on an 18 day Storytelling tour...)

I have had an incredible day that overflowed with learning, laughter, and superb company. I am staying with Janice Del Negro and her wonderful husband Paul outside Chicago. Janice is a full professor at Dominican University and this weekend she was teaching an eight hour, two day, PhD seminar on Literacy and Learning to a group who are in the Doctoral program for Library and Information Science. She allowed me to sit in on today’s segment and it was absolutely fascinating. Janice is a brilliant teacher. She knows how to draw the best out of students, challenges them to think, and gives them new ways to ponder old paradigms. Indeed the class was so fascinating that it was hard to not drop all my plans and commitments and join the program. I was sorely tempted- but resisted. 

At the end of the day we went to a Storyteller’s potluck dinner hosted by Storyteller Anne Shimojima and her fabulous, fascinating photographer husband, Johnathan. Beth Horner - who is not only a superb Storyteller but is a brilliant teacher and taught one of the best Storytelling workshops I’ve ever attended, was there with her beau, Ron. Brilliant Susan O'Halloran arrived with her adorable pooch, Amber, and Marie Ringenberg was not far behind. Marie is a new-to-me friend - but a seasoned teller of tales. Everyone brought food - and stories! Oh the laughter, wisdom, more hilarity, and then more stories that flowed around that table!  It was glorious! Storytellers and firm friends of many year’s standing reveling in being together. Glory!  What a day. 

Early tomorrow morning I turn my car towards Tennessee. But tonight I am basking in the memories of a day that shone with blessings. Thank you Lord!

I have had an incredible day that overflowed with learning, laughter, and superb company. I am staying with Janice Del Negro and her wonderful husband Paul outside Chicago. Janice is a full professor at Dominican University and this weekend she was teaching an eight hour, two day, PhD seminar on Literacy and Learning to a group who are in the Doctoral program for Library and Information Science. She allowed me to sit in on today’s segment and it was absolutely fascinating. Janice is a brilliant teacher. She knows how to draw the best out of students, challenges them to think, and gives them new ways to ponder old paradigms. Indeed the class was so fascinating that it was hard to not drop all my plans and commitments and join the program. I was sorely tempted- but resisted. 
At the end of the day we went to a Storyteller’s potluck dinner hosted by Storyteller Anne Shimojima and her fabulous, fascinating photographer husband, Johnathan. Beth Horner - who is not only a superb Storyteller but is a brilliant teacher and taught one of the best Storytelling workshops I’ve ever attended, was there with her beau, Ron. Brilliant Susan O'Halloran arrived with her adorable pooch, Amber, and Marie Ringenberg was not far behind. Marie is a new-to-me friend - but a seasoned teller of tales. Everyone brought food - and stories! Oh the laughter, wisdom, more hilarity, and then more stories that flowed around that table!  It was glorious! Storytellers and firm friends of many year’s standing reveling in being together. Glory!  What a day. 
Early tomorrow morning I turn my car towards Tennessee. But tonight I am basking in the memories of a day that shone with blessings. Thank you Lord!