2017 Annual Report AN OVERVIEW OF THE FIRST YEAR OF STORYMUSE, LLC
contents
3 Introduction 4 Virginia Tech Residency 5 Trigger Warning 6 Workshops 7 Individual Coaching 8 Other Fun Things 8 The Big Next
rolling forward December 2017
A year. I can’t believe I’m closing out the first year at StoryMuse. So glad I finally responded to my call to be a professional storyteller & story coach! I took this leap a little faster than some might when starting a practice, but I try to think of it more as just rolling down the path meant for me. I do call StoryMuse a practice by the way, rather than a business. It's a discipline, something to be continually refined. Philosophy Over the year, I’ve developed a philosophy and a curriculum that has certain foundations, certain principles that guide my work, including:
*I believe that stories build strength through appreciating vulnerability & authenticity. *I believe we increase personal charisma and resilience when we build empathy through storytelling. *I believe that most good stories are ultimately about change. If something doesn’t change, then it wasn’t a story, it was just an anecdote. StoryMuse in the News Here are some interviews I did over the last year where I talk about the Genesis & Revelations I’ve had about StoryMuse. Literary Atlanta North Avenue Lounge
partnerships
Over the course of the 2016-17 academic year, I returned to Virginia Tech to lead a storytelling residency about Resilience, Remembrance, and Reflection for the ten-year observance of the 2007 shooting that happened there. The residency included three oneweek engagements in November, March, and April, each week consisting of workshops, guest lectures, community meetings, and public performances. To cap off, I directed a storytelling show, Stories of (Be)longing at The Lyric Theatre on April 16, 2017.
Virginia Tech Stories of [Be]longing: resiliance. remembrance. reflection.
“The emotional gravity of such an undertaking necessitated an enormous amount of patience, trustbuilding, care, and commitment–all of which Shannon demonstrated in spades. Shannon listened deeply to and honored the needs of participants and us, the commissioning arts presenter. Consequently, we all seemed to grow through the process Shannon facilitated. ~Jon Catherwood-Ginn Associate Director of Programming, Moss Arts Center at Virginia Tech
This project was funded in part by:
partnerships
What happened to us at Virginia Tech was a very public, even global event, but I wanted to give everyday stories about encounters with trauma and violence a place on the stage.
Trigger Warning, a benefit for Men Stopping Violence, emerged. On Saturday, June 24 at 7 Stages in Atlanta, we had 8 storytellers from across the metro area. I auditioned and rehearsed with these folks over the course of the spring & early summer. This project received a private grant through the Community Foundation of Greater Atlanta and was fiscally sponsored by C4 Atlanta. This support paid for my time, stipends for artists, theatre rental, marketing, etc.
The night of the show we had a packed 200-person house and more than doubled our fundraising goal.
“Shannon M. Turner rocks! We could not be more happy about our collaboration with StoryMuse on Trigger Warning: A Night of Stories. The event helped introduce Men Stopping Violence and our work to a broad new community. We are eager to work with StoryMuse again.� ~Ulester Douglas Executive Director, Men Stopping Violence Trigger Warning in the News: Creative Loafing The Georgia Voice
Trigger Warning: A Night of Stories
workshops 2016 - 10 Workshops - 88 people served 2017 - 26 Workshops - 404 people served Young African Leaders Initiative: Summers 2016, 2017, and coming again in 2018, I've been in a return engagement as guest lecturer at Georgia State University’s Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders Initiative. Over the course of 3-4 workshops each summer, I help the fellows explore Personal Storytelling for Your Professional Brand. Decatur Writers Studio: Fall 2017 I taught a six-week course called “Storytelling for Writers” for the Decatur Writers Studio.
individual coaching 11 clients - 33 coaching hours total "Shannon’s curriculum is world class. Her words have impact, whether she is telling a story or coaching other passionate individuals. Her dedication to this art, and to developing this skill in others is commendable! I thoroughly enjoy working with Shannon. I utilize the art of storytelling in my professional realm to focus the impact of my words, and in my personal life to process experiences. These are the real ways in which Shannon M. Turner and StoryMuse are changing our Atlanta community, and the world." ~ Christin Rutz
other fun stuff Cucalorus Festival National Storytelling Network Conference (thanks to many donors through a successful GoFundMe campaign) North Avenue Lounge SpaceMuse & Date Muse StoryMusings Online Curriculum
Stories on the Edge in partnership with Alternate ROOTS, ROOTS Weekend Atlanta
the big next I'm cooking up lots of good stuff for 2018. To start, I will be traveling the state together with a photographer, collecting stories about people with developmental disabilities for the purposes of advocacy at the state legislature. I'm going to be offering a workshop with follow-up coaching to Georgia Tech faculty on how to tell their stories of failure. I'm also beginning work with the Carrie Steele-Pitts Home serving youth in foster care and returning to the Young African Leaders Initiative. 2018 is looking full and full of possibility. Thanks for all your support! In community, Shannon