One of the important things to consider as a storyteller, is, “Why am I doing this?” Storytelling is an art. And as any artist, one uses their genre for self-expression; A way of sharing that which they enjoy. Unlike most arts that can be satisfied by doing it for one’s self, storytelling requires another person to be the recipient of the story. As a storywriter, I can write my thoughts and imaginings with no other person needed to be my listener. As soon as I choose to storytell, I need an audience. The audience can be as simple as a child when they go to bed, to a colleague that you’re sharing an incident that happened. But audience is the key.
But I’m a performer, I want more than a single listener for the tales and stories that I share. What is it that I have to offer that would encourage an audience to have me. Why do I tell? This is a crucial question to be asked.
Let’s begin with the types of stories I enjoy telling. I enjoy folktales. I especially enjoy folktales with a twist. Tales that without pat endings and that utilize good character traits to achieve their goals. One such set of tales are the Jack tales. No matter how cruel and condescending the people are to Jack, he always has a good heart and comes out a winner.
I enjoy picture book tales that through the words can connect listeners to the stories. These tales can encourage children to look at the books and compare the images they put in their minds with the illustrations in the book.
I want the stories that I tell to engage the audience. I want them to feel part of the experience. I’ve only written one personal tale so far that I’ve storytold (See my blog entry from 9/9/07) but loved the way the adults that I told it to related to experience and shared the same pictures that I portrayed with my words. I do plan on creating more of those types of tales. I want my stories to inspire other writers both child and adult alike.
As a teacher for 33 years, I’ve seen the need for programs that fit into what is being taught rather than something totally out of the curriculum. The new standards and pressures to test well, leave little room in additional curriculum development. The advantage of storytelling is that it can fit within the framework of all curriculums. It can teach by example, without spelling out the lesson being taught. It can actively involve the learners to build better character, understand others, be empathetic and be more worldly.
The more I perform, the more my repertoire grows and the more my passion for storytelling, story writing, and singing increases. As I share with others the gift of tale, I hope to see grow the skill of listening and imagining, not a visualization of what was seen in a movie or on TV. I want to open up people’s minds to their inner creative selves, to create a better world.
That is why I tell.
