Diane Wolkstein, Teacher

“...being in Diane’s presence taught me more
in one evening about storytelling than I had learned in 30 years as an educator.”
— Charlene Kohler-Britton, Director, Early Childhood Center Program, Brooklyn College

Diane and Moses Goren discuss a fine point at Basic Trust School

TEACHING and WORKSHOPS

Diane’s workshops are for everyone who loves stories, wants to hear more stories and wants to learn to tell more stories. In her workshops, she incorporates exercises dealing with voice, gesture, and character development. Depending on the focus of the workshop, she speaks about story content, understanding of story genres (folk tale, fairy tale, myth, epic), and understanding the persona of the storyteller.

Everyone who attends has the opportunity to tell at least one story.

Among those who attend her workshops are parents, librarians, actors, therapists, educators, writers, dancers, lawyers, taxi drivers. There is always a cross section of people and of interests, creating lively participation and interaction.

Participants at Diane’s workshops leave with an increased appreciation of the skills and importance of storytelling as well as with a treasure: a new story — their story.

”Your workshop gave us an idea of how voice and gesture may be adapted to a variety of materials. Even more important, you showed us the power that is created when the storyteller enters the world of the story and allows herself to be ‘present in the tale.’ Your willingness to be vulnerable and to experience the story anew inspired the participants to tell the stories they needed to tell and to ask the questions they needed to ask. I was particularly struck by your insights into the way stories take on life in various cultures. The trust that was created within the group during the course of the day culminated with the sharing of personal stories that each member created under your guidance. By precept and example you gave the assembled storytellers a great deal to reflect on and to emulate.”

— Louise Love, Dean of Northwestern University, Chicago, IL

”The children’s librarians are still talking about the workshop. They rated it exceptional. I never attended a workshop where so many people had such a wonderful experience. Your performance was captivating and I thought it was the best storytelling program I ever attended.”

— Wendy Ramsey, Program Administrator, Columbus Metropolitan Library, Columbus OH

“I offer my sincere thanks for the brilliant storytelling workshop you presented at Sydney’s Powerhouse Museum. Those who attended loved every minute and left feeling exhilarated. You were the key factor in the success of the day.”

— Helen F. McKay, President, Storytellers at the Writers’ Centre, Australia

A workshop for parents at
PS 42 in Chinatown

Sacred Storytelling Workshop at ETSU, Jonesborough, Tennessee, June 2009:
“Ruth and Naomi Talking on the Road” (Photo: Beth Easter)

Also available for CONFERENCES, KEYNOTE SPEECHES and INTENSIVES

TEACHING POSTS & VISITING LECTURES (a selected list)

Teaching

New York University, Mythology, 1984 - 2002

Pacifica Graduate School, Mythology, 1992 - 2000

The Open Center, New York, Storytelling, 1995

The New School, Mythology, 1988 - 1991

The Open Center, New York, Egyptian Mythology, 1987

Sarah Lawrence College, Mythology, 1983 - 1984

Bank Street College of Education, Storytelling, 1972 - 1995

Visiting Lectures

EEC - City University of New York, Keynote: Honoring the Self, Honoring the Other, 2008

Theosophical Society, London, Inanna, 2007

Vanderbilt University, Judith, 1999

Vanderbilt University, Hannah, 1998

Union Theological Seminary, Preparing for the Light, 1994

Andover Theological Seminary , Text and/or Midrash, 1993

University of Windsor, The Role of the Helper, 1992

Jewish Theological Seminary, Biblical Heroines, 1990

Syracuse University, Initiation in Psyche and Eros, 1989

University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, The Trickster, 1988

Brown University, Descent to the Underworld, 1987

Rutgers University, Researching Ancient Myths, 1986

University of Kentucky (Lexington), Creation Myths, 1984