Storytelling, for both children and adults, is experiencing a renaissance
by Karyn Miller-Medzon
Sunday, October 3, 1999
Listening to most storytellers describe their art is like listening to a fiery preacher in
the pulpit. Their conviction, dedication and passion are downright infectious.
``One of the things I love most is how storytelling is continuous,'' said Laura
Packer, a storyteller and events coordinator for the League for the Advancement of
New England Storytellers (LANES). ``We've told each other stories since we lived in
caves, and we'll still be telling each other stories when we're living on other
planets.''
Boston storyteller Derek Burrows calls the art ``A simple, basic, powerful thing.''
``When you watch television everything is provided for you. You have no
creativity,'' Burrows said. ``But when somebody tells you a story, you see the
princess and how pretty she is. When you're Asian that person can be Asian. When
you're African that person can be African. When you tell a person a story, it
becomes their own.''
For others, like Cambridge storytelling master Brother Blue (aka Dr. Hugh Morgan
Hill), performing takes on a spiritual element. ``I depend on inspiration, on the
muse that is the ultimate power. To some that sounds strange. But for me, it's a
sacred calling.''
Though many associate storytelling with children, an increasing number of
performers and venues are focusing on ``grown-up'' stories, drawing weekly crowds
to hear tales that are anything but childish.
``I tend to tell stories for grownups because I'm interested in what oral narration
can do to adults,'' Packer said. ``For example, the shared experience of hearing a
story about someone who has a problem - and how that person overcame that
problem - can help people.''
That's not to say, of course, that adult storytellers deal only with themes of loss
and perseverance. On the contrary, Packer said, stories range from the humorous
to the tragic, and cover just about everything in between.
A testament to the popularity of storytelling is the recent demand for storytelling
workshops in the most unlikely places.
``The different areas of people who have come to me are amazing,'' said veteran
storyteller Doug Lipman, who recently led a three-day training session a high-tech
firm.
``They realized that the facts in their reports could be arranged in ways that were
exciting and memorable,'' he said.
To Lipman, the idea of storytelling in the business world is not at all strange. ``For
people trying to communicate in a corporate position, where you try to share a
vision with others, there is nothing that can do it as concisely as a story.''
The desire to listen to - and tell - stories has resulted in an unprecedented surge
in the number of storytellers and storytelling venues around the region.
LANES, now in its 20th year of operation, currently boasts almost 400 members,
who include storytellers, teachers, librarians, folklorists, actors, businesspeople and
healers, Packer said. In addition to publishing a comprehensive directory of New
England storytellers, the organization issues a bi-monthly ``Museletter,'' which
includes articles about various aspects of storytelling, listings of performances and
workshops, and storytelling opportunities.
LANES also organizes a nationally acclaimed storytelling workshop called ``Sharing
the Fire.'' The event, March 24-26 at MIT's Sloan School, includes multiple
workshops and performances by local and national storytellers. For rates and
registration information, call (781) 324-5718.
Those interested in taking in some storytelling - or giving it a try at an open-mike
session - have numerous opportunities in the greater Boston area. Here are some
upcoming festivals and regularly scheduled storytelling events:
Tapestry of Tales Festival, Nov. 5-6 in Winchester. The festival, a fund-raiser for
the Parent-to-Parent organization, features storytellers Judith Black, Motoko, Eshu
Bumpus, Larky Hodges and Brian Milauskas. Black will headline on Friday evening
with autobiographical tales. Saturday morning performances (including stories from
Africa and Asia) are geared for young children.
The Saturday afternoon show is suitable for older elementary school kids and
adults. The festival also features an arts and crafts bazaar and entertainment for
kids of all ages. Tickets are $11 for both days. Venues will include Winchester High
school and the Lynch Elementary School. For information and tickets, call (781)
729-2566.
Tellabration, Nov. 19 and 20, at venues throughout the city. Tellabration is a
national event, sponsored by the National Storytelling Network. Simultaneous
festivals will take place around the country. For information about local shows, call
(781) 324-5718.
Storytelling with Brother Blue and Friends, Tuesday evenings at 7:30 p.m. at the
Harvard Episcopal Divinity School Library, Mason St. and Phillips Place, Cambridge.
The evening includes an open mike session and a featured performer. (Brother
Blue will also be the opener at the ``Sharing the Fire'' workshop). For information,
call 491-8399.
Storytelling for Grownups, the third Friday of the month at 7 p.m., at the Bestseller
Bookstore Cafe, 24 High St., Medford. Hosted by Laura Packer, the evening
includes an open mike session followed by a featured performer. For information,
call (781) 391-7171.
Storytelling and Storycatching for Grownups, the first Thursday of the month at 7
p.m. at McIntyre & Moore Bookstore, 255 Elm St., in Somerville. The event is
entirely open-mike with all levels of storytellers welcome. For information, call
629-4840. Story-Stew, Sundays at 7 p.m. at the Porter Exchange Building, Mass.
Ave. at Porter Square, in Cambridge. Hosted by Lesley College, the weekly event is
an open-mike storytelling evening. For information, call 441-2188.
For more storytelling information, visit LANES' Web site at
http://www.tiac.net/users/papajoe/lanes/index.htm
Also informative is the Storytelling Ring web site at http://www.tiac.net/users/papajoe/ring.htm
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