Building A Legacy - Youth Storytelling or
Voices Across America Youth Storytelling Project

This is a program which shows proven techniques to build your own storytelling club, troupe, or class. Drawing on the award-winning nationally-known program Voices Across America, Cordi will demonstrate how to invigorate youth to tell stories and pass on a legacy of storytelling.

Teaching the Tale: Curriculum Connection with Storytelling

This is a personal program that has been designed to help your students understand how story builds curriculum. Past programs have been designed to teach self-esteem, American History, Urban Legends, Community Awareness, Honoring our Educators, non-violence, drug prevention and more.

Learn the tools of writing with a teller’s lens of seeing. "Seeing the story" will be discussed with sure-fire strategies that help others move through the writing and telling process. Kevin is an award-winning published author as well as teller. He will model, demonstrate and talk about voice in relation to writing and telling, Participants will be engaged in steps from a telling voice. Kevin also serves as the Co-Director for the Columbus Writing Project with the National Writing Project.

Kevin has had unique training in inquiry methods using dramatic exploration. Drawing on the work of Dorothy Heatchcote and Cecilly O’Neill, along with his advisor, Dr. Brian Edmiston, author of "Imagine to Learn", he will demonstrate proven models of learning using a process known as “dramatic inquiry.” This is based on his PhD work in narrative storytelling and dramatic inquiry at The Ohio State University.

This program will look at dramatic methods of improving how to tell a story. Whether the story is being acted out or told, these methods will improve your dramatic work. Reluctant students or adults will find their voice and understand how their body communicates in order to tell a powerful story. Kevin has taught as a drama coach both for adult and students and combines his own performance tools to create…Kevin is also an actor who brings his experience into his storytelling. Great for Theater, English, and Creative Writing Classes!

A Storytelling visit and author signing can be schedule for ½ day or a full day. This is one of the best ways to bring Kevin’s work to you. On these days he can spend more time talking about tools and process as well as performing for schools. In addition to talking about being a writer, teller, of stories, he helps kids tell their stories...

This is a unique opportunity for your students to experience firsthand this award-winning storyteller and teacher. This innovate all day residency program combines performances, workshops and classroom activities. Kevin Cordi expertly guides the children through hand-on activities and exercises from book Raising Voices: Youth Storytelling Groups and Troupes. Residency includes:

• Public speaking exercises that promote self-esteem and confidence
• Theatre and storytelling games that teach community
• Breathing exercises for confident speaking
• Expert Coaching for students on story development
• Ensemble storytelling where students will tell and listen to others
• Nuts and Bolts about Building Storytelling Connections in Your School
• Cultural awareness discussions
• Valuing Stories as Personal Building Blocks for the Students

***This residency can be extended to up to two weeks and can include building a Youth Storytelling Festival at your School and how to involve your students with the National Youth Storytelling Showcase.

(Primarily aimed to adult storytellers but can be adapted for youth storytelling groups)
This workshop examines the proven tools of the trade. How to work as a storyteller and define and redefine what you do as a storyteller. It is intended for a small group (no more than 15) to help build and understand how you can work as a teller.

Community Coaching is about support. I believe everyone has a voice that can help support each other as we study and refine our storytelling. This personalized coaching workshop has been employed across the country and has been successful not only helping others realize the value of their stories, but seeing ways to be enriched by community storytelling and coaching.

This workshop uses personal and powerful stories to build peaceful connections. It examines how you can promote peace with your self, community, and world. It was provided recently at the National Storytelling Conference.

Kevin is a motivational keynote speaker for places like the National Storytelling Conference, National Council Teachers of English, and throughout the country. He tailors each talk to meet the needs of the people listening. His work is riveting and entertaining. He is nationally recognized for his work in storytelling, youth, and curriculum connections. Kevin has presented to more than 60,000 adults and children. His work has been requested in over 35 states, England, and Japan.

Kevin works with all grade levels and ages telling stories and share story and writing based workshops.