Hey Everybody,
I wanted to let all my Storytelling Family know that my finest hour will be this Wed. August 12, 2009 at the Old Schoolhouse (behind the Library) in Jonesborough, TN from 7pm to 8 pm I hope you all can make it. I do apologize for being so late with this information. So please come and let me tell you my Stories... Hope you all are doing well.. Take care,,, Kenny
Monday, August 10, 2009
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Response to David's Post
Your post regarding "following your bliss" is disconcerting. Many of us have followed our bliss by entering this program, hoping to apply what we have learned in some sort of marketplace. If storytelling is as fundamentally valuable as we have been led to believe, certainly that value must apply to any period of time. Relevance, utility and service have always been criteria for evaluating a business. The question must be: Should storytelling be considered a viable business? If so, perhaps we need to look at how our profession stacks up against other businesses. Should we be learning more about entrepreneurship? What exactly does it take to obtain recognition and credibility? What exactly do we offer that the general public needs and do they recognize that need? How can we create a perception of value when so many storytellers are willing to work for little or no pay?
In my short experience at ETSU, these issues come up but don't seem to be important enough to demand answers. The value of storytelling seems to be altruistic first and foremost. As I end my studies here and contemplate some sort of application, I am befuddled in regards to how to overcome these obstacles. In my opinion, the answer lies in combinatorics and grass roots marketing - both of which we discussed in class. Storytelling must find its relevance to other art forms and hitch its wagon to those somehow. A storyteller needs to be more versatile and have a variety of artistic abilities that combine to add variety. The public has developed a certain standard through its exposure to the whatever artistic diversity is available in the mass media. It is a media of immediacy and impatience. Though storytelling provides balance, it must also be competitive in this regard.
The idea of doing house concerts - reverting back to the Salons - makes a great deal of sense to me and I plan to start those immediately. The need for community is huge, as demonstrated by all the on-line communities. Since that idea is so popular, why not bring that community into reality through storytelling. Bringing people together in neighborhoods through storytelling would fulfill a great need.
Collaboration is another way to expand the definition of storytelling and provide the audience with more variety. Collaboration among storytellers would be one way, but I also think collaboration with other types of artists would be wonderful as well. I'm headed that direction.
Let's keep discussing this - I'm anxious to hear other opinions!
In my short experience at ETSU, these issues come up but don't seem to be important enough to demand answers. The value of storytelling seems to be altruistic first and foremost. As I end my studies here and contemplate some sort of application, I am befuddled in regards to how to overcome these obstacles. In my opinion, the answer lies in combinatorics and grass roots marketing - both of which we discussed in class. Storytelling must find its relevance to other art forms and hitch its wagon to those somehow. A storyteller needs to be more versatile and have a variety of artistic abilities that combine to add variety. The public has developed a certain standard through its exposure to the whatever artistic diversity is available in the mass media. It is a media of immediacy and impatience. Though storytelling provides balance, it must also be competitive in this regard.
The idea of doing house concerts - reverting back to the Salons - makes a great deal of sense to me and I plan to start those immediately. The need for community is huge, as demonstrated by all the on-line communities. Since that idea is so popular, why not bring that community into reality through storytelling. Bringing people together in neighborhoods through storytelling would fulfill a great need.
Collaboration is another way to expand the definition of storytelling and provide the audience with more variety. Collaboration among storytellers would be one way, but I also think collaboration with other types of artists would be wonderful as well. I'm headed that direction.
Let's keep discussing this - I'm anxious to hear other opinions!
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Bliss or Bust?
Reading my horoscope in the local free paper, the writer advises "follow your bliss and the money will come."
If you have studied the Heroes' Journey you are probably aware of Joseph Campbell's dictum to "follow your bliss." This idea was embraced by the culture in the 1980's following the popular series of interviews filmed just before Campbell's death.
From 1986 to 1996 I followed my bliss into storytelling and prospered, working for The Lincoln Center, The LA Music Center, the Disney Company and being featured many times at The National Storytelling Festival. The past decade, however, has been a constant toss of the dice as the former prosperity parts from the path of bliss. I am now convinced that the cultural moment was right for Campbell's dictum in the 1980s but the self-centered pursuit of bliss is not what the present moment wants. Today the determinations of value are Relevence, Utility, and Service. If you fail to meet these criteria, following your bliss may lead into a folly of blindness.
What do you think?
If you have studied the Heroes' Journey you are probably aware of Joseph Campbell's dictum to "follow your bliss." This idea was embraced by the culture in the 1980's following the popular series of interviews filmed just before Campbell's death.
From 1986 to 1996 I followed my bliss into storytelling and prospered, working for The Lincoln Center, The LA Music Center, the Disney Company and being featured many times at The National Storytelling Festival. The past decade, however, has been a constant toss of the dice as the former prosperity parts from the path of bliss. I am now convinced that the cultural moment was right for Campbell's dictum in the 1980s but the self-centered pursuit of bliss is not what the present moment wants. Today the determinations of value are Relevence, Utility, and Service. If you fail to meet these criteria, following your bliss may lead into a folly of blindness.
What do you think?
Friday, July 31, 2009
Beautiful!
Yesterday's combination of stories was really lovely. Thanks to all. I was delighted to see how Val and Priscilla incorporated the sonnets. As you encounter prose and poetry, let them into your "body of tex.t" Sometimes the cutting of a poem, a line from a song, or a section of literature can help you finish out the story. Storytelling in that sense can be a form of collage, piecing together the events and the texts to create the whole picture. Priscilla's moving portrayal of her childhood trouble with mother and her adult appreciation of her mother was a beautiful example of pieces of memory put together to form a full story. You can do that too, Mi Ryoung!
It was interesting to see how the discourse evolved from Lorri's begining story. The ghost tale of the lost child and the father put a number of lines in motion: parent & child; death; fear for our children; fathers; mothers; love.... Lethan's whimsy was a nice counterpoint to Lorri's somber and whistful mood, yet he too was speaking of love, loss, and letting go. Ilene developed the theme of love and deserving, working with lines of sacrifice Lethan had begun. Beth amplified the question of service and sacrifice. Priscilla brought those all together as well as the more somber themes of death and loss that Lorri had introduced. But she brought us to a place of common ground with the recognition of the mother's gifts that brought her here. Val likewise picked up the loss of a parent as well as the crossing of many thgresholds ("firsts"0 weaving in the pieces of text to complete her story. Finally Kenny brought us all back to the present moment of parting, picking up the thread of air travel from Val and giving us a glimpse of the "human comedy" in which we are players, elevating the mood to one of celebration.
I am reminded of Rumi's parable of The Blind Men and The Elephant. A group of blind men encounter a beast called "elephant." Using their hands, they each attempt to understand what an elephant is. The elephant, being so large, presents different aspects to each man. They fall to arguing over whether an elephant is a snake (the trunk), a fan (the ears), a tree (the leg), a boulder (the body), or a rope (the tail). Alas, had they been storytellers, they would have known to sit and listen and combine their diverse experiences to gain a greater understanding.
As we participate in the ongoing combinatoria of stories, we help bring the great, ineffable elephant of human experience into view.
Parting is sweet sorrow.
Thank you all. Travel well and stay in touch!
It was interesting to see how the discourse evolved from Lorri's begining story. The ghost tale of the lost child and the father put a number of lines in motion: parent & child; death; fear for our children; fathers; mothers; love.... Lethan's whimsy was a nice counterpoint to Lorri's somber and whistful mood, yet he too was speaking of love, loss, and letting go. Ilene developed the theme of love and deserving, working with lines of sacrifice Lethan had begun. Beth amplified the question of service and sacrifice. Priscilla brought those all together as well as the more somber themes of death and loss that Lorri had introduced. But she brought us to a place of common ground with the recognition of the mother's gifts that brought her here. Val likewise picked up the loss of a parent as well as the crossing of many thgresholds ("firsts"0 weaving in the pieces of text to complete her story. Finally Kenny brought us all back to the present moment of parting, picking up the thread of air travel from Val and giving us a glimpse of the "human comedy" in which we are players, elevating the mood to one of celebration.
I am reminded of Rumi's parable of The Blind Men and The Elephant. A group of blind men encounter a beast called "elephant." Using their hands, they each attempt to understand what an elephant is. The elephant, being so large, presents different aspects to each man. They fall to arguing over whether an elephant is a snake (the trunk), a fan (the ears), a tree (the leg), a boulder (the body), or a rope (the tail). Alas, had they been storytellers, they would have known to sit and listen and combine their diverse experiences to gain a greater understanding.
As we participate in the ongoing combinatoria of stories, we help bring the great, ineffable elephant of human experience into view.
Parting is sweet sorrow.
Thank you all. Travel well and stay in touch!
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Marian's Finest Hour
Dear all,
I am glad to let you know that I have scheduled my performance for "My Finest Hour" to take place at the Southside Elementary School in Johnson City (1011 Southwest Ave.) on Wedenesday, August 5, from 10:00 to 11 am. If you can make it, you are welcome!! I hope to see all there! Thanks.
Marian.
I am glad to let you know that I have scheduled my performance for "My Finest Hour" to take place at the Southside Elementary School in Johnson City (1011 Southwest Ave.) on Wedenesday, August 5, from 10:00 to 11 am. If you can make it, you are welcome!! I hope to see all there! Thanks.
Marian.
Korean Culture
I can't belive today is the last class!! I really enjoyed taking this class with you all. I wish I am able to craft my childhood well and share some of Korean cluture with you. My memories in my childhood is kind of fragment. It is hard to craft them as a story. I am kind of desperate. Huhhh....
Many of you may hear about 'Asian Culture'. The term "Asian Culture' is not quite right, I think. Because there are too many different aspects among cultures in Aisan countries. For extance, there are three unique properties in Korean culture, Hangeul (Korean Alphabet created by King Sejong), Kimchi (spicy vegetable for every meal), and Hanbok (traditional clothes). With this unique characteristics, I hope I can make up a story to make you experience a different world.
Remember how you say 'Hello" in Korean. An-Nyung-Ha-Se-Yo (안녕하세요). Please let me know if you want to know anything in more detail in my culture. I will be very happy to share with you.
Many of you may hear about 'Asian Culture'. The term "Asian Culture' is not quite right, I think. Because there are too many different aspects among cultures in Aisan countries. For extance, there are three unique properties in Korean culture, Hangeul (Korean Alphabet created by King Sejong), Kimchi (spicy vegetable for every meal), and Hanbok (traditional clothes). With this unique characteristics, I hope I can make up a story to make you experience a different world.
Remember how you say 'Hello" in Korean. An-Nyung-Ha-Se-Yo (안녕하세요). Please let me know if you want to know anything in more detail in my culture. I will be very happy to share with you.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Thank you all
Thank you all for sharing your precious thought and time with me. Reading the text is always difficult for me to plug in the right place. It's hard for me to have all these connection at first but I have learned a lot. I started to see the connections in and between the stories. Oh! Dear!! The storytellers' mind is very complicated. It's been a good brain excercise and a great experience for me.
Thank you all for sharing the wonderful stories and experiences with me.
I wish the class would last longer. I wish the program will open a class for using objects in stories in fall.
Look forward to seeing you on Wednesday. Come to Main street cafe in Jonesborough at 12:00 if you have time.
Will miss you all after the class.
Thank you all for sharing the wonderful stories and experiences with me.
I wish the class would last longer. I wish the program will open a class for using objects in stories in fall.
Look forward to seeing you on Wednesday. Come to Main street cafe in Jonesborough at 12:00 if you have time.
Will miss you all after the class.
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