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May, 2009
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KopCo Comments
Our Periodic Musings on Improv, Storytelling and Theater for Your Arena.
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Greetings! In this issue: Storytelling, storytelling and more storytelling.
As those of you who heard us speak recently at the Albany-Colonie Chamber's
Women in Business Council luncheon know, at Kopco we believe two things
about story:
1. We are all storytellers.
2. Story IS meaning. It is the way we make sense of the world, connecting bits of data into the webs that create understanding.
3. Many, many organizations are consciously exploring this most ancient of communication tools for a myriad of modern applications with exciting and profound effects.
(Okay, three things.)
Given how strongly we believe in the power and value of story, we are delighted to share with you:
- Information about an upcoming Story Circle event for Entrepreneurs.
- A link to our new blog, The Improvisational Storyteller.
- An invitation to share your stories with us for a new radio show.
- Recommended Resources
We hope you enjoy, and as always, we'd love to hear from you!
Happy tales,
Kat
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Story Circle Event
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Taking the Leap from Employee to Entrepreneur: Using Story to Share and Learn from Fear
 We are thrilled to be partnering with the Albany-Colonie Chamber of Commerce to offer this premiere storytelling event for entrepreneurs and anyone else wanting to take the next leap forward.
Based on an approach we learned from our colleague Elizabeth Doty, (www.worklore.com) story circles are one of our favorite processes for sharing knowledge, building community and solving problems.
Here's the official blurb:
The most ancient of communication tools, story, has become a hot new business tool as well.Sharing story allows us to learn from experiences - our own and others, build community, deepen understanding, and solve problems in unique and creative ways. In this inaugural event, Kat Koppett will host a Story Circle focusing on the themes of courage, fear, risk-taking and growth. Participation does not require preparation, and participants will not be required to share stories if they are not so inspired. Please join us for this exciting story-based evening. Sponsored by the Entrepreneurial Assistance Program.
Date: Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Time: 5:30pm to 8:00pm
Location: Albany Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce
1 Computer Drive South, Colonie, NY 12205 - Adirondack Room
Cost: $10 PER PERSON
It is expected that this class will fill up quickly. EAP Graduates, EAP instructors, Chamber members and those interested in attending the Fall 2009 EAP class will be given first priority so please register early.
Hope to see you there!
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There's Always More to Say
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The Improvisational Storyteller: Our New Blog
If you are looking for storytelling tips, activities, applications, philosophical discussions and stories to pilfer, then The Improvisational Storyteller blog is for you. We will be sharing all of the above, focusing on the skills necessary to be an effective and compelling storyteller in broad, organic, flexible ways, not merely in scripted, rehearsed presentations.
Check it out at:
The Improvisational Storyteller |
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What's Your Story?
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Soliciting Stories for Fat Word
Would you like to share a story with us?
One of our most fabulous colleagues, Gary Hirsh (www.oyf.com), is starting a radio show focusing on storytelling, and we get to be in on the fun. Gary says:
Have you ever heard a story from a friend or colleague that shined a new light on an idea so well, and with such clarity, that you developed some sort of new understanding and perspective by simply hearing the story being told? That is the idea behind Fat Word Radio, a new internet radio show that I am piloting. In essence, FWR uses story to dive deeper into the meaning of words that we use all the time but don't actually think about what they might mean.
The idea is simple, for each episode we pick word that is fat (has different meaning for different people like: creativity, honesty, bravery, power, etc) and then hear a collection of 2-3 minute stories inspired by that word. These are both truth and fiction. The stories attack the word from every perspective possible to create a 45 minute episode unearthing new meaning for the listeners about the language.
If you have a story inspired by one of these words that would would like to share, simply contact Kat and we'll happily capture it and pass it along:
Bravery
Power
Creativity
Honesty
Caution
Leadership
More on Fat Word as it develops.
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Recommended Resources
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Want more?
We are currently reading:
The Story Factor: Inspiration, Influence and Persuasion Through the Art of Storytelling by Annette Simmons. Lots of good thoughts for business professionals and others on what kinds of stories you might think about sharing.
Websites to visit:
For story in business:
www.stevedenning.com - One of the foremost leaders in story in business, and author of many books including The Leaders Guide to Storytelling, Mr. Denning's site offers lots of information and links to events and podcasts.
And, some of our favorite places to hear stories:
This American Life - if you have not heard this fabulous public radio show hosted by Ira Glass, you have been missing out.
The Moth - a live storytelling event in NYC. If you can't get there, listen to their podcast.
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