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In Schools... Rafe's school visits include a maximum of three 45-minute sessions plus a book-signing. In addition to performances for students, the sessions can also include small group workshops, an evening family performance or a faculty in-service. Rafe works with every grade level, from kindergarten to high school-and beyond.
Rafe designs each presentation for specific grade levels, telling age-appropriate stories and sharing an empowering vision of language, writing, creativity, and imagination. He leaves his listeners-teachers and students alike-with an awareness of their own power to create. In addition, Rafe offers writing and storytelling workshops for students, and professional workshops for faculty and staff on: the art of writing and developing writing skills; the art of storytelling-how to make told stories live; and the art of using stories in the classroom-how to further develop reading, writing, and communication skills. Rafe also offers evening performances for the entire school community.
In each session Rafe talks about language and about stories in words-the only technology that gives us, even today in this age of computers, our own inner images. He reveals his own writing and rewriting/îrevisioningî process, and shows how words create images. Rafe makes words live, and shows reading and writing to be the greatest adventure, not simply a set of rules. He reveals to students their own creative power. The storyteller, after all, only makes sounds on the air; the writer only makes squiggles on a page. It is the minds of those doing the listening and reading that make a story live! And unlike movies and TV, stories in words allow us each to discover our own inner images. Each person sees the story differently. So many children today, so used to TV and movies, never realize their own great, creative power. Therefore, reading and writing become harder than they need to be. It all begins with knowing how to use your mind and how to pay attention to your own images.
In the next part of Rafe's presentation, through the dramatic, interactive, performance of a story based on one of his many, award-winning books-Rafe is an award-winning author and as well as a nationally known storyteller-he brings one of his stories to life and demonstrates how told stories can differ entirely from the text of a story in a book.
Finally, Rafe engages in a lively question and answer peoriod with his audience.
So there are three components to each session. First: talk about language and stories and writing; second: performance of a story-bringing it to life; third: questions and answers.
Teacher In-Service Training Rafe works with school administrators to design a workshop that responds to the needs of the teachers. Below is a description of a workshop that is often requested:
In this 45 minute workshop for educators, Mr. Martin will discuss the role of language in the learning process, and demonstrate how to use both storytelling and writing to improve literacy skills within the classroom.
Starting from the foundation of told stories and his own body of published work-picture books, collections, and novels-he will empower those in attendance to see language as one of our most powerful technologies-even today in our computer age. He will teach a version of the writing process based upon visualization-seeing with the mind - rather than rules. He will also show the crucial role of re-writing in making writing the adventure it truly is and was always meant to be. Finally he will show teachers how to inspire their own students to read from ìthe insideî for the joy of it and for the power and freedom that reading truly offers. Some Responses to Rafe's School Visits
"Rafe Martin is an exemplary contemporary storyteller -- deeply informed by tradition, sensitive to the demands of the moment, fully in service to the audience and the tale."
"Rafe's stories take you on adventures far and near but always deliver you home safe and sound. After attending a workshop with Rafe, our guild members felt renewed and inspired by Rafe's enthusiasm and knowledge about story and writing."
"The eveningís featured performer ‚ storyteller, author and long-time Dharma practitioner Rafe Martin ‚ was at his best that night, responding to the enthralled Asheville audience of 80-100 people.Ý Many in the almost completely adult audience were taken by surprise at the power of live storytelling ‚ so often considered to be ëjust for childrení ‚ especially when offered up by a master of the art.
"On behalf of the Spring into Reading Committee for Clarkston Community Schools, this note is filled with deep
gratitude and appreciation for you. Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to share your
passion of reading and writing with al of us in Clarkston. We cannot begin to express how much our students,
staff and parents enjoyed your visit to our school district in April. Your warm and friendly personality and
sense of humor captured the hearts of everyone - students, as well as adults! It is very exciting to still hear
the teachers and students talk about your visit and your books weeks after the special event. You definitely
left a lasting impression on our community - thank you! We wish you nothing but continued success in the years to come."
"I wanted to let you know how much my students appreciated your coming to West Point. Your performance was great. The children learned a lot about the writing process and how you go through to get a finished product. Your message was very important. Of course, I have told the children this a hundred times, but hearing it from a real author makes a big difference.
Again, thank you."
"I hope you remember visiting us at Gallup Catholic this winter. I had to pass this on to you.
One of my eighth graders...is one of the most severe cases of dyslexia I've ever seen.
When I first met him three years ago, it was almost impossible to get him to write anything --
but what I have been saying is that the spelling is just something to clear up at the end,
and the most important thing is to get the story down. Gradually, he's become more and more fluent,
and his voice as a writer has developed. They had a huge project due at the end of the year --
publishing a story into a hardbound book. This student's story was sixteen single spaced pages.
It took him a long time to get it typed, and his father helped him edit and correct it. They did a great job.
But this is his "About the Author." You will see why I'm sending it on:"
"We are still on a high here from your storytelling. We sold many more books after your visit! Thanks again so much."
"On behalf of the staff, students, parents, and grandparents of A:Shiwi Elementary School in Zuni Pueblo I want to thank you. Your three
days of presentations -- to staff as well as to parents and children -- were positively inspiring. Many also commented that they felt
honored by your sensitive portrayals of Native American legends. Our students have started writing their own versions of traditional
stories as well as writing original stories as a result of your visit. You have become an important member of the A:Shiwi family!"
"We are still basking in the warmth of the world you created for us - what a wonderful experience that was for teachers as well
as children. You certainly set a standard that will be hard for anyone else to meet. As I looked around at the teachers
in that after school workshop I recognized some who were not easily impressed. Yet there was unanimous praise for you -
no mean accomplishment. I think what reached them was the intellectual steps you went through and took us through in
arriving at your passionate and total commitment to storytelling. There is no jargon, no theatrics in your presentation; just
disarming simplicity honed to poetic purity."
"I feel very fortunate to have witnessed Rafe Martin do his storytelling magic in 'my' library. Amazing!"
"You did a brilliant job on our parenting show. We've never heard anyone so clearly explain the difference
between storytelling and reading aloud." Here is a scan of an evaluation form from Putman / Northern Westchester BOCES, Yorktown Heights, NY. We received this in the Summer of 2002 from BOCES Arts Coordinator, Michelle Sherer. 
At Storytelling Festivals & Evening Family Performances in Schools...
For family audiences, Rafe most often brings to life stories based on his published books. These range from original stories to unique interpretations of traditional stories from all over the world.
For adults, Rafe draws on a range of stories that delve deeply into myth and mysterious realms of the imagination. These performances tend to be built around complex and evocative Irish love tales and myths; original tales of Animal Dreaming-contemporary stories which connect his own storytelling travels and strange encounters in the mythic zone; stories of the Buddhist, often specifically Zen Buddhist tradition (based on Rafe's long time personal practice); eerie Japanese ghostly tales, as well as powerful Native American narratives; family tales of love, destiny, and the Holocaust Expect stories filled with insight and surprise-expect laughter, magic, mystery, and fun!
Praise for Rafe's Storytelling
"I just wanted to thank you again for your part in making this one of the best Sierra Storytelling Festivals ever! You were great! Your stories were captivating - I only wish I got to hear more! Thank you for your professionalism, too - that helped to make the festival run smoothly. I look forward to working with you again!"
"Thank you so very much for such an outstanding performance!"
"The Sharing the Fire Committee, indeed all of LANES (League for the Advancement of New England Storytelling) and everyone who attended the conference, wants to thank you for your inspirational keynote, your superb workshops and all your hard work that made Sharing the Fire '95 such an outstanding success. I've enclose your workshop evaluations. You can paper your study with them and, if you ever get discouraged, just read them, enjoy and bask in their warmth - as we basked in the warmth of what produced them. Again our thanks - come to Sharing the Fire anytime. What fun it would be to have you back."
"Everyone agreed that of the ten days of events at BookFair, your Saturday night storytelling for adults
was the crowning jewel. Indeed, it stands out as the most intimate, enjoyable, and audience-absorbing event we have had over the years."
"Weeks have gone by and people are still raving!"
"Rafe Martin weaves magic."
"Rafe Martin's tellings begin in oral traditions from around the world and culminate in moments of here-and-now
wonder and delight. Told stories are like gifts; his storytelling art is a gift indeed."
"A renowned oral storyteller."
"I wanted to thank you for your gift of storytelling -- both the generous gift you gave with your
telling and the wider gift you are giving with your books. There are values and ways that are so deeply humam, yet terribly endangered
by our own foolish habits of denial, selfish individualism and the seductive power of technology. Your stories stand against that by
standing for our true nature -- wild, compassionate, funny, sad, whole. I hope in the days to come we can continue to work with you and forge closer ties."
"Thank you for making our 1999 Mariposa Storytelling Festival a truly memorable event!! Everyone's still talking about
the festival and your stories."
"Rafe Martin is a genuine contemporary traditional storyteller. His voice is incantatory, his choice
of story impeccable."
Some Festivals where Rafe has appeared
-- to name just a few. Each year Rafe continues to appear in countless schools, libraries, conferences and storytelling festivals throughout the U.S.- including Hawaii and Alaska-and as far away as Japan.
At Conferences, Institutes, and Corporate Seminars...
Rafe speaks eloquently about power of the imagination as he shares a uniquely practical and exciting vision of stories in words - both written and told. He demonstrates how reading, writing, and storytelling are actually the greatest adventures, capable of taking us on a journey deep into our own imaginations. He makes clear that storytelling, reading and writing may be the oldest technologies on this earth, but they remain the best-most effective and powerful-tools we have, even today, for teaching us not just how to become literate, but how to create meaningful lives.
Want to learn, or want your staff to learn, how to bring a story to life?
Conference Appearances
Rafe's many appearances include:
International Conference of the International Reading Association
"Seventh Generation was committed to telling the story of our company, our consumers, and our planet to elevate people's consciousness about the impact of their actions on health and the planet. Struck by the powerful art form that storytelling is, we went right to the source to learn more---Rafe Martin. Rafe worked with the entire company for one extraordinary day of moving our imaginations. We learned about the power of storytelling, heard deeply resonant stories, and learned how to tell stories well. Rafe also helped us consider how to best tell the Iroquois Native American story in which our name is rooted: in every deliberation, we must consider the impact of our decision on the next seven generations. Next, Rafe worked with our CEO and Chief Marketing Officer to help us consolidate story into the centerpiece of our marketing campaign, including a retail educational initiative through storytelling. With Rafe's guidance and deep expertise, we were able to fulfill one of our most important initiatives and we are deeply grateful."
"Rafe was an incredible highlight of our MAME Conference in Detroit. His words were just what we all needed to build both inspiration and determination. The blend of story, encouragement to look at the big picture, and his thoughts on writing were just perfect for our audience. The first thing I did when I got home was to order a copy of Birdwing! The relaxed note of the discussion sessions was great, too. I feel very lucky to have been able to spend time with Rafe outside of sessions as well."
"Your session was wonderful...many of the participants told me how inspired they are due to your passion and delivery of the Seventh Gen story. The tools you gave us on how to tell stories is a gift and can be used in so many parts of our lives.
Safe travels and I will stay in touch to develop a plan for future sessions."
"One of the most outstanding programs we've ever had."
"Exciting! An expert!"
"When Rafe Martin comes to speak order more books than you planned to. We sold out -- the first time this has happened at our conference in
our seven years' experience."
"We send a big Nebraska THANK YOU for coming to speak with us! The audience raved over your storytelling as well as what you had to say about language and stories and their importance today."
"What a super afternoon you gave us! Everyone left with uplifted spirits and a burning desire to keep the imaginations of children alive and challenged. We will remember your storytelling and inpiring words for a long time."
"What a wonderfully terrific Storytelling Institute you led! Thanks for sharing your brilliance with us. I will savor it for years to come."
"Thanks for an outstanding day at Penn State. You should know too that your performance drew the largest crowd of our whole summer
series. Some storytellers are technically superb yet leave their audiences with little when all is finished. I was struck by how
much your storytelling was NOT like that. You have a keen sense of your art and of how to make your telling focus on your story,
not on yourself. When you are finished deep images remain. It was an empowering experience. Your combination of artistry and scholarship
is truly unique and inspiring. Many thanks."
"Your visit to the summer workshop in Appalachian Literature and World Classics at East Tennessee State University was the highlight
of the term. The students were most enthusiastic about your lecture and I am still awed by your ability to handle 300 children in
one hot room."
"Our heartiest thank you for a job well done. The Fourth Mazza Summer Institute was a huge success by any measure due, in no small
measure, to your wonderful presentations. There were so many favorable - no, make that ecstatic comments about your visit . . . that we wish we had been able to tape them so you might bask in their glow."
"I'm getting many positive strokes from teachers whose students were at Young Authors and came back today all enthused about
their experience. THANKS again for being such a wonderful inspiration."
"Making 1,000 strangers in a Las Vegas ballroom feel as though they were in an intimate setting is no small
feat. Not only was your presentation entertaining, you provided jus the right tone for the closing of a long
afternoon of programming on an important theme."
"Your name was mentioned over and over again on the conference evaluation sheets. I think you should be declared a national treasure."
"You've given us a new perspective on the power of stories and the imagination."
Upcoming Public Events
RAFE MARTIN SCHEDULE 2009
RAFE
MARTIN SCHEDULE 2010
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Rafe Martin, 2000. All rights reserved. |
