'Eight to 80' But Not Anyone Can Do it: Cranston Artist & Student Perform in 'A Story Showcase' on Feb. 22

PROVIDENCE, RI —Every week this winter, well known performers and educators Phil Goldman, of Cranston, Eve Kerrigan and Diane Postoian work with a group of students aged 15-87. They're learning the craft of storytelling.

On Wednesday, they'll put their work on display when they perform 'A Story Showcase.' The show is set for Feb. 22 at Laurelmead Cooperative, 355 Blackstone Blvd., Providence.

School One, on Providence's East Side, designed the program as part of its curriculum and hosts the older adults at school as part of a weekly workshop called Working Stories.

According to School One, the storytellers have been rehearsing hard.

"Participants practice projecting their voice, even shouting loud words and telling stories about the origin of their names," according to Diana Champa, school spokeswoman.

"Working Stories participants meet for two hours each week to write about their working lives, talk about history and practice performance techniques," she said. "They learn, side by side, from Diane, Eve and Phil, receiving feedback on their stories and techniques for improving them. They even do tongue twisters.

Photo Caption: Warwick resident and School One student Nila Rickards-Hegnuaer with classmate and Cranston resident Greta Del Bonis. Students are researching major American work and labor movements as part of Working Stories.

Cranston resident and School One student Greta Del Bonis is one of only six high school students selected for Working Stories Inter-generational Arts Program. The program is part of the national Artful Aging movement.

“I like hearing what everyone has to share and seeing the variety of stories we all have and how they relate differently to each person," Greta said. "You get to learn new things and see how we are similar or different.”

To finance Working Stories, School One received a grant from Aroha Philanthropies through its new national initiative, Seeding Artful Aging.

"Truly unique to Rhode Island and nationally, Working Stories bridges the gap between generations with art, creative writing and story sharing," Champa said. "It was this uniqueness that made School One’s Working Stories stand out among 200 other nonprofit organizations throughout the U.S."

Photo Caption: Warwick resident and School One student Nila Rickards-Hegnuaer with classmate and Cranston resident Greta Del Bonis

According to Diane Postoian, one of the teaching artists, everyone has a story to tell even if the idea of telling or performing it is daunting.

“Working Stories inspires our teens to think about their future paths by hearing first hand of the well –traveled paths taken by the elders," she said. "While they are so willing to share their stories, the elders are sometimes not aware of the profound impact they are making on our teens. As a professional storyteller and one who loves being around teens and elders, Working Stories is an inter-generational gift to me."

Madolin Maxey, a visual artist and participant in Working Stories, called the program "a great inter-generational exchange of ideas.” And the value of listening can't be underestimated.

“It's called storytelling," she said, "but it’s really story listening. Listening to the students talk about their lives and hopes for the future. And listening to my older peer group talk about their lives and careers and their hopes."

Jennifer Borman, head of School One, is excited about Working Stories:

“Storytelling is a complex craft. It requires risk-taking and connection. We developed Working Stories to provide our students with a way to learn from and with older adults about the ways they’ve shaped their lives and careers. There are so few opportunities in our society for young people and older adults to truly learn together.”

Since 2007 Jennifer Borman has been leading the progressive, independent high school on Providence’s East Side. The high school is known for its great visual arts program and its safe, nurturing environment. Working Stories is just one of the unique experiences of offered at School One, open to students as well as community members. School One also hosts an inter-generational book club with Hamilton House as part of Reading Across Rhode Island.

Information about the Story Showcase in February can be found at www.school-one.org. Seating is limited.

Working Stories Session 2 will take place on Tuesday mornings March 14-June 1, 2017.

Working Stories Session 3 is scheduled for September 5 – November 15, 2017.

To participate or find out more information contact Diana Champa at (401) 331-2497 and dianac@school-one.org.

Photo Caption: Teacher/performer and Cranston resident Phil Goldman rehearses with School One students Jasper White and Zachary Gorton.

Courtesy Photos: School One