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 UNITED STATES
Residency at Rhode Island School of Design
Providence, Rhode Island
February 18-23, 2008
Five Silk Road Ensemble members visited Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) to begin a semester-long residency revolving around storytelling. They visited RISD’s Folk Tales in the Digital Age class, in which students explore new ways of retelling traditional tales from the Silk Road region through visual art, writing, music, and performance. Ensemble members will visit RISD three times and will continue to work with the class throughout the semester.
Ben Haggarty, a master storyteller from the U.K., asked the class to tell stories in which the relationship between two characters changes during a dream. Within an hour, three groups plotted stories, selected storytellers, sketched settings, and prepared music—all of which they shared at the end of the class.
Ben Haggarty also led a two-night storytelling workshop for 16 members of the RISD community, a fun and insightful introduction to the art of telling a good tale.
Participating Silk Road Ensemble Artists
Mike Block, cello
Ben Haggarty, storyteller
Shane Shanahan, percussion
Kojiro Umezaki, shakuhachi
Yang Wei, pipa
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Stories sparked new imaginary landscapes for students.
Photo by Heidi Koelz
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Improvised melodies matched the pacing of each tale told in the Folk Tales in the Digital Age class.
Photo by Megan Campbell
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Students joined Ensemble members in playing instruments. Some performances were quiet and reflective, some funny and boisterous.
Photo by Megan Campbell
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Each group developed an entirely different story from the same basic elements. The class responded with praise and suggestions at the end.
Photo by Heidi Koelz
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Ben Haggarty’s workshop helped participants focus their imaginations and learn to react in the moment.
Photo by Megan Campbell
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Silk Road Ensemble members took part in the storytelling workshop, playing one hilarious game after another.
Photo by Megan Campbell
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