So I joined an internet google discussion group for Professional Storytellers, and a question was raised I felt was worth responding to: Do you need theatrical training to be a storyteller.  My response is below, and I would love to hear your thoughts on my response.  As I try to establish myself in the world, I am currently questioning what it is I do do and what it is I want to do.  I know I want to be a storyteller, but how is that done is the question.  Well, that’s my question, I hope all is well for you and all the best finding the answers you need, cause I’m sure you have a lot of questions as well.  Enjoy it all!

David, thank you for bring a good question to the forum.  And thank you to everyone who has responded, it reads as if a lot of thought has gone into these responses, and I would like to add my own thoughts as well as build on the question by asking another question.

First my thoughts on theatrical training and storytelling:  In brief, NO, theatrical training is not necessary (Kathryn Windham, Ray Hicks, and so on…).  Does theatrical training help with storytelling?  As has been mentioned in several previous responses, yes, it can.  I began my exploration of the performance arts through theater, and it was through the theater that I was introduced to storytelling.  There are many technical skills that a theatrical training introduces that are bennificial in storytelling (ie. stage presence, stage vocal work, diction, physical stage movement if your into that).  I also feel, as Rivka (I love your name) mentioned, that theatrical training can become a burden to storytelling.  While storytelling is a performance, it is also about dismantling that “forth wall.”  I have found in theater, even one person shows, there is a barrier between the performer and the audience.  If the character is speaking to the audience, it feels as if they are not speaking to you directly, but to the character they have defined you as representing.  As I study storytelling I am recognizing the importance of not performing for the audience, but giving the story to the audience.  There seems to be an undefined technique (at least not clearly defined as far as I know) to storytelling that is about transcend the immediate performance and move into (for lack of a better location name) the realm of the story.  So, in answer to the first question, I suggest theatrical training can help as long as you recognize it is Theatrical training, and not storytelling – I feel it is essential to differentiate (as a side note: I highly recommend watching Jay O’Callahan [on DVD is he isn’t planning any Icelandic Tours] for a performer who masterfully walks the line between theater and storytelling).

And now for the second part of my response, the question:  In the digital discussion that has been inspired by this question, it seems we are all beating around the bush of an essential question to contemporary storytelling: what is it?  How do we define “a storyteller”?  I read several responses suggesting storytelling comes from having the passion, the fire for stories burn inside you, and frankly, those sorts of answers bother me.  The definition is too unspecific; open to such subjective interpretation that it loses all meaning.

I believe it was Rachel who cited how loosely the term “storyteller” is tossed about Hollywood, and I think until there is a clear defining of what it means to be a storyteller we cannot reasonably criticize the overuse of the term.  Personally, if I am told “Oh, Stephen Spielberg is such a great storyteller,” I will quickly respond “Hell no he isn’t.  Spielberg is a film director, be he great or be he not so great, that’s a preference issue, but he certainly isn’t a storyteller.”  The Spielberg advocate may then counter my impassioned response with, “Well then, what is a storyteller.”  I have no recourse at this point.  If “to be a storyteller” is not defined, I cannot argue what I feel is a misuse of the term.

I do have some thoughts on that question, and it may soon be time to articulate those.  First, however, I’d like to open the question to all here:  What is a storyteller?  It seems we can agree that you don’t need theatrical training, so what does it mean to be trained as a storyteller.  Are there any defined techniques?  Is there a sort of “method storytelling” (ie. “I subscribe to the Claflinesk technique, as I have this strange fascination with the imbecility of mooses” or “I tend to take a Windhamian approach to my work”)?  Please note, I mean those examples only half satirically.  I feel a storytelling technique or techniques should be in some way defined so we, as artists, can better communicate with mainstream culture as a whole and interact with critics on a clearer level.  Just my thoughts.

Lethan Candlish
www.travelingtales.net

Hello friends,

It has been a long while since I’ve had a chance to write you, so, instead of trying to fill you in on all my adventures - the task would take novels - I will tell you where I’m at now.

After a sucessful tour in Pennsylvania, I’ve returned to Tennessee for my last year of graduate school, and I’ve moved to the storytelling capital of the world, that’s right friends, I know live on Main Street in Jonesborough, TN, about 100 yards away from the international storytelling center.  I’m still working out a few details (financially, I’m anxiously waiting for my student loans), but am starting to get settled and learn my routine.

As for my storytelling projects, there are three primary ones that I will bring to your attention:

1) I have begun working at the University School again, only this time I will be telling to grades K-5, so it will be a BUSY year with that - fortunately I have a month before the concerts begin, so I can work on expanding my repetoir, so I have a lot of folklore books I’m reading and working to discover what stories speak to me.  Hard Hard Hard, but its fun and its what I do.

2) I am currently doing an independent study on Lord Buckley as a storyteller.  Some of you may have seen the performance this summer with Crystal Newby at Bloomsburg University (a great success, thank you to all involved, especially Crystal and my father), and I am continuing with that work.  I will be working to learn more about Lord Buckley’s philosphy, life, and style as well as better mastering many of the pieces I already perform - improving the diction and the natural feel of the performance.   It’s nice because much of the labor was already done this summer, so I can now work on ironing out the details, though I do plan on learning at least one new piece (when my student loans come in and I can purchase the recording I need to study from).
3) I am working to explore the relation between comedy and storytelling.  I feel a need to popularize storytelling among my generation (20/3o somethings) and help people to realize both its importance and the pure joy that comes from it.  I have decided I will attempt to craft a series of fast paced, humorous pieces, heavily influenced by Lord Buckley, aimed at this demographic.  From there, I will attempt to get some gigs in some comdey clubs where I will perform these pieces, and acknowledge that I am not a comedian, but something new (to the audience), something different.  My teacher, advisor, and mentor, Dr. Sobol, suggested I publicize myself as a humorist (think Mark Twain) as a way to let the audience know this is something different, but not fall into the stereotype of “a storyteller” (by this steotype I mean someone who tells simple fairytales to children in a calm, soothing voice - I do that, but I also do my alternative, fast paced humor stuff and that’s what young adults want).  If I then gain recognition for my work, I can reveal myself as a storyteller, and hip the crowd to what that can be.  If anyone has any thoughts on this, I’d love to hear them.

So that’s, in brief, where I’m at.  I’m pushing forward and learning how ere I can, and suceeding at some things, other things, not so much (maybe I’ll tell you those stoires someday, or maybe not), but that is life.  I hope all is well with you.  I’d love to hear your thoughts on these projects - particularly about labeling myself to young adult audiences as “a humorist.”

Also, as we all know, I’m not the best about keeping a regular blog going, but I’ve been in the process of putting myself on schedules, and I’m hoping to put myself on the schedule of posting each Sunday and tell you my adventures of the last week and/or  my plans of what’s to come.  Also, if something exciting happens, I may post mid week as well, but I WILL make it a plan to post at least once a week.  I hope this works, but whatever happens, until we meet again, may all the best adventures tumble your way.