Helen Lawry
Storyteller and Musician
Helen has recently returned from England where she studied storytelling at Emerson College. There she completed the most comprehensive storytelling course in the English - speaking world. Now she is back in Australia she has been enjoying telling stories in libraries, hospitals, schools, community festivals and parks.
Helen loves telling for adults and children. She enlivens her performances with her violin, guitar and singing. She has a background in theatre and is an experienced primary school teacher. Helen believes that stories have the capacity to move, inspire and heal people of all ages.
Helen tells stories from all over the world, and sometimes she writes her own. She tells with energy, and is a very physical performer. Her stories are carefully tailored to her audiences, with participatory stories for the young and longer more involved stories for adult audiences. Helen has performed stories for a wide range of adults including those with communication difficulties arising from strokes and those with intellectual disabilities. She greatly enjoys the challenges and rewards of working in a wide variety of contexts.
Comments
Helen is an engaging storyteller and singer. The children were absolutely captivated by her performance.
Lily Merry, Children's Librarian Stonnington City Council
I was fortunate to attend two of Helen Lawry's storytelling sessions recently. Her first session was to a group of grade 5 and 6 students, the second to a group of adults. She recounted a range of genres, from myths to more contemporary stories, and included both traditional and self-written compositions. I was impressed with her poise and the delivery of her lines, using pauses, changes in tone and tempo and movement to great effect. She read her audience well, adapting her style to suit adults or children, ensuring that they remained captivated from start to finish. Her violin playing at the end was an added touch that further highlighted her wonderful artistic skills.
Gary Ahyick-Wong, Classroom Teacher (grade 5/6)Yarraville West Primary School
Helen Lawry came to speak to the members of Talcom (Talbot Communication Group) on 1st April 2004. The members of the group all have long-term communication disorders following stroke or brain injury. They meet almost every week to support each other, to listen, share stories, make friendships, learn new skills and improve their communication. The focus in March has been 'people sharing and telling their stories', and some of the group members have been inspired to write down or share part of their story, while others have enjoyed listening to others tell their story.
The members of Talcom enjoyed the story telling session, and it gave them the opportunity to see a 'story teller' in action. Helen's use of gesture, intonation, language, and facial expression helped members of Talcom to understand the stories, and they responded to the session in a positive way. At the end of one of the stories, one of the group members (who has a significant communication problem) clapped, gave Helen the thumbs up, and said 'Good'.
Kathryn McKinley, Speech Pathologist, Ambulatory Care Service, Royal Talbot Rehabilitation Centre
Ph: 03 9496 4922 Mob: 0408 658 139
Programs
3-5 years 30 or 45 minutes
A sprinkling of stories and songs
A collection of simple stories and songs to delight the very young. Includes songs with guitar accompaniment, a toad that flies a kite, and a rabbit that picnics with his friends on top of the highest of mountains.
Fairytale Classics
Dust off those old stories, because they're great and children love the security of the familiar. For other children they may be new, and it's an excellent opportunity to introduce them to Jack and the Beanstalk, the Gingerbread man and the Three Billygoats Gruff. The stories session includes songs and a chance for the children to participate.
Libraries 30 or 45 minutes
All pre-school and primary programs are available in your own library.
Helen is also available for special events such as sleepovers, community festivals and school holiday programs. She is happy to tailor a special program to your requirements.
Primary Schools
P-2
Dragons and Giants
Simple, fantastic stories of friendship and bravery. Will the dragon agree to go to William's birthday party? Will the Giants ever be friends again? These entertaining stories also venture into the territory of the heart and can be followed up on by teachers to build on the children's 'emotional intelligence.'
3-6
Chatting in the Global Village
Stories from the four corners of the earth, from far into the distant and not so distant past. The program can include a story based on the true-life experiences of astronauts (including a birthday party held in a space vessel-yes it really
happened.)
Secondary Schools
Surviving to tell the tale
Ancient stories from around the world, tales of trials endured and triumph over adversity. In today's visually saturated world, adolescents find a reprieve with the beauty of stories, which allow them to reengage their imaginations.
Adults
Stories from the Four Directions 45 minutes -1 hour
Helen weaves music and song into this captivating collection of tales to enchant and entertain. Helen has performed stories for a wide range of adults including those with communication difficulties arising from strokes and those with intellectual disabilities. She greatly enjoys the challenges and rewards of working in a wide variety of contexts.
