It has not been easy to value play.  Mainstream culture urges us to rush and finish what we are working on to quickly advance to the next task at hand.  Too often we must punch our time clock forward without much consideration.  As the minutes and hours move, we indirectly communicate both to ourselves and the world no time remains to play; we must work.    Despite that the world around me does not value play, in my creative life, play is necessary.  In fact, I have discovered it is the real work I do as an artist and teacher.  As a storyteller, writer, teacher, and imaginative thinker, it is play that has produced the most desired results in my life, in my work, and especially, in my creativity.   It is in play that we experience who we are and we begin to extend our choices.   Play is not consciously prepared; discovery that happens in the moment.   It invites reflection.   In fact, Plato once shared, “You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation.”   In this book, you will discover new ways to work with your story craft and find new story direction using play.  Indeed, play is a meaningful way to create and learn.    In both childhood and adult play, the imagination plays a central role in the meaning making process.  Although there are many types of play: school-based, recess, sports, this work is rooted in play inviting the writer, storyteller, or imaginative thinker to make choices as they work to create meaning in their work.      I will share how collaborative play can increase your choices when making a story.  You will find not only exercises to build your story making and telling skills, but pedagogy of practice to use when called to create story. "This is a highly anticipated new work. Dr. Cordi is a nationally-recognized authority on telling and crafting stories in a host of important settings. The legendary Viola Spolin, a pioneer voice in improvisational theatre, once observed that while playgrounds were filled with spontaneity and intuition, theatres often seemed stilted and lifeless by comparison. She set out to harness the power of play, and single handedly revolutionized the study of theatre. It is my belief that Kevin Cordi will make a similar contribution to the world of storytelling, filling it with the ludic spirit of unfettered imaginations. Having worked with storytellers of all ages and in many venues, Dr. Cordi brings a host of practical experiences together with rich theory and pedagogy. One simply can’t imagine a more dynamic, charismatic, and visionary author for the creation of this important book. Play on!" ― Rives B. Collins, Department of Theatre, Northwestern University “Cordi provides readers with rare and important perspectives of the behind-the-scenes world of the storyteller's craft. Kevin Cordi is himself first of all a listener and second of all a teller (and a compelling, spell-binding teller). In this book, he guides readers through the fascinating process of close listening and story crafting. Cordi, a master of the process, always reminds us that storytelling can make a difference in our lives―in so many ways.” ― Amy Shuman, author of Storytelling Rights, Professor of Folklore, Ohio State University “Veteran storytelling teacher Kevin Cordi’s expertise in story, teaching, and playful learning combine to produce a valuable collection of practical, down-to-earth, use-it-right-now ideas for invigorating classrooms and re-inventing teaching methodology. The Common Core becomes uncommonly fun to teach!” ― Sherry Norfolk , author, storyteller, and former chair of the National Storytelling Network Kevin Cordi brings joy and storytelling to teaching. At a time when education has been reduced to bits of inert knowledge in pursuit of stolid standards, Kevin Cordi places play and narrative at the center of what could be educational experiences that excite students and teachers and make learning both fun and lifelong. Dr. David Bloome, The Ohio State University Professor and Former President of the National Council Teachers of English Kevin Cordi lives in the world of story and invites us all --teachers, students, writers--to enter that world with him. Through play, imagination, and his story box project, he leads us to the traditional world of story....and beyond to the world of story we create. I have witnessed his power to transfix, transport and transform us through story. Robin Holland, author of Deeper Writing, Corwin Press Having participated in Kevin Cordi's workshops as both a parent and a teacher, I can attest to his unique capabilities as a storyteller and the limitless possibilities that he opens up through play. He moves seamlessly from directing a dozen students in an ever-evolving fairy tale to helping teachers write -- and enact -- their own stories. Cordi's Permission 2 Play reminds us that creativity, expression, and listening are more important now, in this age of standards and