From the Stage. . .
or the Studio
Art from Rachel's Perspective
Disney reminds us of the fairy tale classics, especially as The Princess and The Frog premieres in theatres this month.
Of all the animals in the world, a prince seems most likely to transform into a frog. To much of Medieval Europe, the frog symbolized ugliness, magic and witchcraft.
That inspired Sean Buvala, director of Storyteller.net, with the idea to collaborate with other tellers on the CD called Frog Kisser. More can be learned at http://www.frogkisser.com.
I was honored to be one of the seven tellers across the nation invited to participate on the CD. The other tellers featured are Karol V. Brown (WA), K. Sean Buvala (AZ), Tim Ereneta (CA), Sandy Oglesby (AZ), Elly Reidy (AZ), and Ellouise Schoettler (MD).
All cultures have images, animals, or creatures that represent the "ugly". Often a transformation brings forth the beautiful of the outer and inner self. A kiss is not always the required catalyst.
While reading many stories of enchantment, I came upon the German folktale Der Zwerg Nase--translated as The History of Dwarf Long Nose--by Wilhelm Hauff. His contributions could rival the collections from the Brothers Grimm.
The story seemed to want a song.
At first, my ideas for lyrics and tunes focused on the insults that Jamie made to the old woman in defense of his mother. The intention was for the song to then transform into a song about Jamie when he became Dwarf Long Nose.
Finally, I shifted focus on the mother and son relationship. Though I have not yet experienced parenthood, I could connect with the quick passage of time. Of their offspring, many parents mourn the end of childhood and the beginning of adolescence.
The mother either could not accept or understand the transformation of her son. She had no words for this phase of life. She became the silent mother.
How does any parent talk to their child at this time?
Only when Jamie reached adulthood at 21 could there be the hope of
reconciliation and reunion.
The song was the "something familiar" that had the potential to
connect the mother and the son again.
You can order your copy of this newly released CD with free
shipping through PayPal from my website homepage at
http://www.rachelhedman.com
--just in time for the holidays! It
can also be found on Amazon.com.
Give the gift of Frog Kisser this season.
  Cap's Off to You
Featuring: Jay Barnson
Loyal Listener & Software Engineer
Riverton, UT
See his "Tales of the Rampant Coyote" blog at:
Jay Barnson loves a good ghost story. Luckily he married Julie, a
professional storyteller who specializes in ghost stories from
around the world. This makes Jay an expert listener when he said, "A really good teller can send chills up your spine the way no movie can."
During this couple's same month of marriage, Jay and Julie attended
the 3rd Annual Timpanogos Storytelling Festival complete with the
Ghost Tales Night in August 1991.
Jay reflected, "The moon was full, it had briefly rained, but by the time the tellers began the rain had stopped and the clouds had parted - and were flying across the moon from a strong wind that helped make everything so much creepier." J.J. Reneaux was one of the most memorable tellers from that night.
Jay and Julie have attended every festival since that time.
Other types of stories, like Appalachian tales, have been memorable for Jay. While growing up in West Virginia, his father often told "Jack Seven-In-A-Whack". According to Jay, "It was, quite simply, the coolest story of all time."
Jay heard at least three or four other Jack tales from his father, and it was not until later in life that Jay realized that the stories were Appalachian stories and from the imagination of his father. Though it can be certain that his father shared a unique style in the tellings.
Now Jay, as a father of two daughters, can pass along the art.
He does wish that storytelling eventually be "recognized as being
appropriate for more than just younger audiences." He continued,
"I guess for adults it is often called Stand-Up Comedy, but there is so much more to it than that." He expects that the rise in storytelling events will promote this idea.
Whatever happens for the art, he exclaimed that storytelling "is a
fascinating medium - very old, and yet reinventing itself."
Thank you, Jay.
You are one of the many who reinvent the art.
What are your loyal listener memories? Email your story to
info@rachelhedman.com.
Random Rachel Ideas (RRIs)
Ideas for the Art to Embrace
Online as well as brick and mortar libraries and museums will have
sections, and in some cases, whole buildings, dedicated to the
perpetuation and preservation of the art.
There are already storytelling buildings that house relics and
information in relation to the global storytelling movement. Part of the dream is to have more of these structures.
The Orem Public Library in Utah has one of the largest storytelling
collections in the world. The City of Orem will be developing a Story Center that will magnify the already-impressive resources found at the library.
One more building is not enough to make this dream a reality.
Other people plan to collaborate the arts--with storytelling as the center--in a place that combines elements of a museum, library, school, and studio.
In the meantime, we could "build" websites that involve video, audio, and other live-action tools as ways to interact with the general public. Some of these sites may receive so much traffic that brick and mortar buildings or satellite locations would be necessary to meet the demands.
This could happen.
 YouthTellerTip
3 featured from Daily YouthTellerTip from Twitter (StorytellingAdv)
1. Youth need to see as many storytelling styles as possible so
they know there is more than one way to tell a great story.
When storytelling is introduced to youth, often one person leads the workshops or gatherings. The kids watch the style before them and could come to the conclusion that there is one "right" way to tell a story. Some schools grant permission for students to attend local storytelling festivals to enjoy variety of styles. Sometimes
three or more storytellers visit the school. Storytelling guilds could invite youth and parents to special gatherings or meetings. Whatever the way, the kids will have a better idea as to the possibilities in the art.
2. Give tour of library so the youth can research versions of
their stories on their own. This empowers their storytelling.
Kids may have libraries within their schools or communities, though
this does not guarantee that they know how to find stories between
the bookshelves. Some kids may be comfortable to explore and grab
books. Other kids could be overwhelmed by the rows upon rows of books. Scavenger games could be fun ways to review the library tour. In fact, if you tell a story that focuses on each area of the library--even better! The kids could recall the story and feel confident in where to find resources. Most kids will be drawn to
picture books, though emphasize folktale or ghost story collections. Point out that many versions could be found of one story. Finally, reserve moments for the kids to discover the
library on their own.
3. Common storytelling strengths of youth are energy, originality,
willing to take risks, and intuitiveness. So praise them.
Every generation of tellers has positive traits that we can all admire and strive to achieve. Sometimes, when working with youth, we focus so much on the coaching--or the correcting--that the strengths are overlooked. Express the praise immediately or soon after the occurrence. You may want to journal moments of these strengths to uplift if ever you feel frustrated or tired from
working with youth. Maybe you will never undergo these feelings. Then the journal entries would serve as celebration of your experiences. Youth and parents would appreciate these stories either aloud or by mail.
Game of the Month:
Freeze!
Creator unknown
Audience: youth to adults
Level: intermediate
Items Needed: None
Number of Players: 4-25
Roles: Two Tellers, Everyone else as Freezers (and potential Tellers)
Ave. Playing Time: 5 min. to however long you want to play
One-Liner: resembles two-person story role-playing with ability of
others to stop the action, replace a person, and continue with a
different story line
Instructions:
Clear a space of at least 10' by 10' or whatever space is needed to make a circle to include all of the Freezers. The two Tellers stand in the center of the circle.
The two Tellers take different positions. There could be any mixture of bent elbows, raised hands, perked-up chins, huddled legs, and so on.
Someone--anyone--calls out a location. This could vary from outer
space to swamplands to inside a kitchen. The two Tellers interact
with each other in dialogue inspired by the chosen location and their starting positions.
After a moment of this interaction, any of the Freezers could call "Freeze!" The two Tellers stay in their positions. The one who stopped the actions replaces one of the Tellers and takes the exact position. The replaced Teller joins the other Freezers.
Another person--anyone--calls out a location. A different story line develops. Again, the two Tellers are inspired by the location and their starting positions.
Repeat for as many rounds as desired.
History of this Game:
If only we knew who to credit for creating this game. It has been played by Brigham Young Storytelling Club members in Utah to Hanford High School students in California. Perhaps the game has learned the status of a "folk" storytelling game? Let me know.
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