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Hello friends,

I hope you and your loved ones are safe and well during these long, summer days. In addition to working hard on my next books, teaching workshops, and performing virtually,

If you're looking to attend a workshop, I have one spot left in the 6 week workshop that begins on Monday, July 6 at 10:15 AM EST. Details on that and others below.

In addition to working, I've been staying busy by playing lots of socially distant golf and watching lots of movies with the family. 

I just finished watching Hamilton on Disney+ with Elysha and Charlie this evening. Elysha and I saw the musical in the theater, but we were sitting in the mezzanine, so this gave us a great view of the show. 

Charlie loved it. During a scene where many of the characters cry, Charlie said, "I bet someone is peeling onions backstage to make those people cry."

He was serious. 

Elysha, Charlie, and I also watched all four Toy Story movies last week, including Toy Story 4.

Great movie. Also, I was not emotionally mature enough to handle the end of that film. I’m still devastated and may never fully recover.

But more importantly:

Bo Peep is my new favorite superhero.

Disney owns this character and also owns Marvel. They should ABSOLUTELY add her to the MCU.

As a Disney shareholder who owns 10 whole shares of Disney stock, I demand it.

THIS WEEK'S LESSON


Speaking of Toy Story 4, the writers of this film use a strategy that I teach storytellers all the time to preserve surprise.

Surprise is the most exciting, delightful thing that a storyteller can offer an audience, yet so often, I see storytellers ruin the surprise by failing to identify, protecting, and maximizing potentially surprising moments. 

Pixar gets it right. 

I've attached a video that will somewhat spoil the film for you but demonstrate this strategy perfectly. 
 

STORYTELLING WORKSHOPS 

July 6, 13, 20, 27 and August 3 and 10: Advanced storytelling workshop (10:15-12:00 EST)

  • This is a six week, virtual storytelling workshop that blends direct instruction with storyteller participation and critique, along with the opportunity to perform in a virtual storytelling show at the end of the workshop series. Storytellers need not be experienced or have taken a workshop before, but they must be prepared to tell stories in at least half of the workshop sessions.

ENROLL HERE.

July 11: Advanced storytelling workshop in collaboration with MOPCO Improv Theater (11:00-6:00 PM EST)

  • Over the course of the day, participants will have the opportunity to observe Matthew craft a brand new story in the moment, modeling all of the strategies and decision-making required to prepare a story for the stage. 

    Participants will then be taken through a process of finding and crafting their own story through a step-by-step process of modeling, crafting, and sharing with other participants in a safe, no-stakes environment. Participants will be taken through the process of identifying the right stories to tell, effective framing, the development of thesis and goal statements, storyboarding, humor, tone, endings, and more.  

    Participants can plan on a one hour lunch break at 2:00 EST and several 10-15 minute work sessions throughout the day. 

    Participants will also receive link for free admission to Matthew's storytelling show that evening.

ENROLL HERE.
Looking to learn more about storytelling through something more than a weekly email lesson?

Try my book on storytelling:

Storyworthy Engage, Teach, Persuade, and Change Your Life Through the Power of Storytelling

Available in paperback, Kindle, and audio, which I narrate myself!

On episode #99 of the Speak Up Storytelling podcast, Matthew and Elysha Dicks talk storytelling!

In our follow up segment, we discuss firehouse and stripper poles as well as upcoming shows and workshops, all online!

In our Homework for Life segment, Matt talks about moments that have more than one beat, and how the smaller side of a large moment often makes for the best story.   

Next we listen to a story by Katie Field.

Amongst the many things we discuss include:

  1. Subtly in storytelling

  2. Living your story as you tell it 

  3. Breaking the rules

  4. Define characters throughout a story

  5. Centering thoughts in scenes

Next we answer a questions about The Moth StorySLAM community and Elysha's view on Matt's storytelling. 

Lastly, we each offer a recommendation. 

RECOMMEDATIONS

Elysha:

  • Strawberry rhubarb crumble: https://bit.ly/2Zzu22s

Matt:

  • Art as a gift

_______________________________________________

Moth GrandSLAM story: "Genetic Flaws" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajU08oQxbDo

"We adopted two cats. Our kids' reaction was... unexpected" -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDIF2Nte55A

Greetings Little One: https://greetingslittleone.typepad.com

Support Speak Up Storytelling through our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/speakupstorytelling

Purchase Storyworthy: Engage, Teach, Persuade, and Change Your Life Through the Power of Storytelling: 
https://amzn.to/2H3YNn3

Purchase Twenty-one Truths About Love: 
https://amzn.to/35Mz1xS 

Homework for Life: https://bit.ly/2f9ZPne

Matthew Dicks's website: http://www.matthewdicks.com

Matthew Dicks's YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/matthewjohndicks 

Matthew Dicks's blog:
https://matthewdicks.com/blog
PERFORMANCES AND WORKSHOPS 2020

STORYTELLING SHOWS 2020

  • July 11: Solo show at MOPCO Improv Theater (7:30 PM) (virtual)

STORYTELLING WORKSHOPS 2020
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