We are Storytelling Centre
knowledge - training - theatre
Knowledge Training centre Theatre producer
By creating and sharing stories together, we ensure personal growth, social impact and language development. Our methods are used worldwide by professionals in care and education, on the street and in the office.
Join the world of storytelling.
We are specialised in applied storytelling, amongst others with trainings for personal development, counteracting polarisation and learning a language. This has given us an enormous amount of knowledge. This knowledge has been bundled in a number of methods and various books, which we have used worldwide towards a better society. And we produce storytelling in the theatre. Because storytelling or, as we increasingly call it, ‘storysharing’ contributes to a greater understanding of another person, more knowledge about yourself and your own motives, and also to more fun and positive results when learning a language.
We are convinced that in a balanced, culturally diverse society, there should be room for everyone’s story: especially in times of intercultural tension. We offer a platform for all those stories, in the theatre and beyond. We bring people closer together with stories: that is our main motive.
We believe in the power of sharing stories.
Storytelling training
For companies, civil society organisations, NGO's, and for you!
What you learn in our training
- Following a workshop increases your communication skills and team player skills.
- You learn to really listen and speak about yourself without any fear.
- You increase your self conficence.
Who can benefit from our trainings
- Everybody between 10 and 99 years old
- Companies
- Municipalities
- Civil Society Organisations
- Dictrict leaders
- Schools and students
- Streetcoaches
- Language trainers
Take a look at our recent trainings and projects
Many projects focus on women, but in our society there are also men in a vulnerable...
Many European countries have experienced an influx of refugees in recent years. Learning their new language...
At the request of the OBA (Public Library) in Molenwijk, we developed a training to connect...
You learn best in an environment where you feel safe, no matter where you come from...
For the project EU project Common Ground Common Future (Erasmus+ Strategic Partnership) we are looking for...
Storytelling is a great – alternative – method to turn young people into change makers within...
While the actors Soufiane Moussouli and Yorke Mulder-Bhangoo intend to play a show for the public...
Five questions you’ve always wanted to ask a terrorist While the actors Soufiane Moussouli and Yorke...
To include others, with and without disabilities, into part of her story and her struggle, Aysegul...
“Those fortune seekers”, that’s how refugees are sometimes called. We wanted to shed a different light...
Knowledge
In addition to being an international training centre and theatre and festival producer, Storytelling Centre is also a knowledge bank. Since our establishment in January 2012, applied storytelling, which started with neighbourhood projects in Amsterdam Osdorp as part of a festival, has become an increasingly important part of our work. In 2015 this was given an extra impulse by participating in European Innovation Projects (Erasmus+). We were given the opportunity to further develop and deepen methods – including the unique Share to Connect method – and techniques
Books
Storytelling and Polarisation (in Dutch)
Polarisation endangers the society we have so carefully shaped together over the past decades. In this publication, Hester Tammes and Arjen Barel explain why sharing stories can help counteract polarisation. How can we encourage groups who feel distant from each other to engage in conversation and listen to each other’s stories?
They draw on theories of polarisation and storytelling, using real-world examples to shed new light on the power of sharing stories in the pursuit of a peaceful society.
The World is Storytelling (English) offers a fresh perspective on the ancient art of storytelling.
Co-authored by Arjen Barel, Stu Packer, and Ronni Gurwicz, coaches and colleagues at Storytelling Centre Amsterdam, this book takes readers on a fascinating journey through the theory and practice of storytelling in our modern world. Whether you’re interested in job creation, language learning, conflict resolution, or simply enjoy folk tales, this book is a snappy, engaging, and insightful exploration of the power of storytelling. Drawing on personal experiences and years of workshop case studies, this book is the ideal companion for anyone interested in the art of storytelling and its impact on the world.
Theatre
We love live storytelling in the theatre.
The Storytelling Centre has two locations where it presents live storytelling to an audience. The Storytelling Theaterlab and the famous Amsterdam Storytelling Festival.
Theatrical storytelling is different from applied storytelling, yet the two overlap in our working method. Many of the exercises we use come directly from the theatre, especially the team building exercises and the exercises aimed at stimulating creativity. Techniques from the theatre are very suitable for connecting people and influencing group dynamics. Creating and sharing a story is a dramaturgical process in which logical and understandable construction plays an important role. In addition, theatrical techniques such as speaking clearly, applying rhythm and musicality are part of the experience, which contributes to the connection between narrator and listener.
With Theaterlab and The Amsterdam Storytelling Festival we produce various interesting performances, always with (personal) stories as a starting point, but otherwise as diverse as theatre can be. We often offer a stage to people you don’t easily meet in the mainstream theatre world and the stories are socially relevant. Come and have a look!
Read more about Theaterlab and the Storytelling festival
Contact
Get in touch and find out how our services can improve your company, organisation, customers or constituents.
Newsletter
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