Power of STORY
at the Roy Hart International Artistic Centre, France
frequently asked questions
What will I learn?
We will be working with body, breath and voice to teach storytelling, presentation, and active communications skills.
Emotional intelligence, enhanced confidence, and authentic presence are the outcome.
The program is 100% experiential.
Our teaching and coaching approach is structured and non-hierarchical.
Do I need to understand French?
The main language of instruction in English and we thoroughly embrace linguistic diversity! Both Ivan and Siobhán also speak French and you’ll hear many languages spoken around our international community in Malérargues.
There are no minimal language requirements for attendance. You will discover how little we depend on language in our communications and expression!
Who attends this kind of program?
Participants from around the globe and all walks of life attend our workshops. We have welcomed all sorts from artists to engineers, executives, entrepreneurs, consultants, social innovators, coaches, and other training and development professionals. They have been change makers from myriad industries with diverse professional experience, seeking a deeper understanding of their voices - both literally and figuratively - in order to manifest their best selves with greater confidence and authenticity.
We welcome couples and teams as well as individuals, and we embrace the richness of diversity in every sense of the word.
what is the schedule like?
We meet in the studio at 09:30 each morning and work for three hours with a short break mid-morning. We pause for two hours from 12:30-14:30 for lunch, reflection, and rest. Afternoon sessions run for an additional three hours with scheduled breaks. The day wraps up at 18:00 and your evenings are your own.
There is ample down-time for rest and reflection. Many participants enjoy solo or paired walks to explore the château and grounds during these times and to share thoughts whilst taking in the abundance of nature’s sights and sounds around Malérargues. Others choose to schedule massage or shiatsu sessions with resident professionals. Participants enjoy preparing and sharing meals together at the centre or sampling the local fare at restaurants in the nearby villages of LaSalle and Anduze.
Who are the faculty on this program?
Power of Story is taught by Ivan MIDDERIGH and Siobhán McCANN.
A founding member of the Roy Hart Theatre, an internationally renowned artistic centre in Malérargues, France. Ivan Midderigh has dedicated his life to vocal coaching and research, and its application in life and the performing arts.
An internationally travelled and experienced executive coach and leadership development consultant, Siobhán McCann believes in the power of one voice to change the world. She is dedicated to helping people find theirs in order to live with purpose and passion.
what should I consider when making travel arrangements?
Malérargues is situated about 7 km from the village of Lasalle (about 15 minutes by car) and 14 km from Anduze (about 25 minutes by car) in the Cévennes hills of southern France. There is public transport from Nîmes (twice a day and once on Sundays and holidays). A rental car is very useful.
The closest international airport to Malérargues is Montpellier-Méditerranée served by multiple daily scheduled flights from several European hubs including Paris, London, and Amsterdam.
For those of you coming from within Europe who prefer to travel by train, the Gare de Nîmes is amply served and you can book tickets at the SNCF (French national railway) website.
Depending on your budget and point of departure, another option is to travel by bus.
For further information on travelling to Malérargues see here or feel free to contact us directly.
We encourage our participants to plan to arrive as early as possible the day prior to the start of the program in order to have ample time to settle in, explore and get a good night’s rest in preparation for our week together.
We’re happy to help coordinate your travel plans so please don’t hesitate to contact us here or via email at info@midderighvox.com
Can I stay in touch with work during the program?
There is WiFi and somewhat limited cell phone service in Malérargues. Whilst participants are welcome to use breaks to check emails and take care of emergencies, we recommend that you not schedule important calls or meetings for the duration of the program. This is your time dedicated to your own development and we encourage you to sign off in order to tune in and be fully present for all that you are experiencing and for your co-participants. The nature of the program design requires that you attend all scheduled sessions.
What about electricity? How can I safely charge my devices?
Power plugs/adaptors for your electronic devices. We recommend that you purchase these in advance of your departure from your home country. France operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz. There are three associated plug types: C, E, and F. You can use your electric appliances in France if the standard voltage in your country is in between 220-240V (as is in the UK, Europe, Australia, and most of Asia and Africa). If the standard voltage in your country is in the range of 100V-127 V (as is in the US, Canada, and most South American countries), you need a voltage converter in France. You can also consider a combined power plug adapter/voltage converter. To be sure, check the label on the appliance. If the label states 'INPUT: 100-240V, 50/60 Hz' the appliance can be used in all countries in the world with a simple adaptor. This is common for chargers of tablets/laptops, photo cameras, cell phones, toothbrushes, etc.
Does the fee include accommodation and meals?
Unlike some of our other Midderigh Vox programs, the Power of Story workshop is run under the banner of the Roy Hart International Artistic Centre (CAIRH) and the fee charged by the centre covers tuition only. When you register you will have the option to request accommodation on-site for an additional fee.
All participants housed on-site have access to shared kitchens where food can be stored and meals prepared. Meals are not provided by the centre.
Should you have any questions please feel free to contact us.
Is there a gym close by?
Malérargues is not your typical corporate retreat setting! We encourage our participants to find new ways to work out their bodies outside of the sessions. Many have discovered running and walking paths around Malérargues as well as many creative ways to engage with the daily activities of the château residents.
What will the weather be like?
Temperatures vary in the Cévennes hills and in the Spring and Autumn mornings can be cool, warming up substantially over the course of the day, and typically dropping again in the evening. Malérargues has its own micro-climate which makes it difficult to predict precise seasonal temperatures too far in advance.
what clothes should I pack?
Our 100% experiential classes include lots of movement. We recommend that you pack comfortable, loose clothing that will allow you to move freely (e.g. yoga/gym wear, sweatpants, tee-shirts etc.) We work barefoot or in socks in the studios.
Please do bring comfortable shoes/sneakers for walking around the château and grounds, as the terrain is somewhat uneven. Given the variable temperatures and unpredictable weather patterns of the region, we recommend that you plan to dress in layers and be sure to pack a sweater or jacket for mornings and evenings which tend to be chilly at this time of year, and a rain jacket just in case.
Although we don’t encourage note-taking in class, our participants usually like to bring a notebook to journal the experience during down-time.
For all additional queries please do not hesitate to reach out to us at info@midderighvox.com
We look forward to hearing from you!