STORIES FOR A COZY WINTER EVENING
The annual Wintertelling program is sponsored by the Monroe County Public Library and presented by the Bloomington Storytellers Guild. Interested in telling a tale with us?
You don't have to already be a member of the Guild. Just bring a story to Auditions, and if chosen, be ready to perform at the event. Auditions are required for Wintertelling.
Here are the dates:
WINTERTELLING PERFORMANCE: Friday, February 21, 2024, 7:00-8:30 p.m., Monroe County Public Library Auditorium, Downtown Bloomington.
WINTERTELLING AUDITIONS: Tuesday February 4, 2024, 7:00 to 8:30 p.m., Monroe County Public Library Auditorium
So you have a great story to tell which is appropriate for adults and teens? READ ON! (This is a LONG read, but essential if you wish to join us as a teller at the 2025 Wintertelling!)
Members of the BSG will be there to listen to your tale. Please let coordinator Patty Callison (pattcall@yahoo.com) know as soon as possible if you plan to attend. Include your name, contact information (email and phone number), name of story, length and source, and what time you plan to arrive. Please see instructions below for more specific information.
Expectations for Auditions
· If you are new to Wintertelling and the BSG, you need to come to the auditions and tell your story as it will be presented in performance.
· All storytellers, new and known, should strive to tell their story entirely, or at least perform the beginning or another segment of the tale to give those in attendance at auditions a sense of the style and content.
· Storytellers who are more well-known can share an outline during the auditions or share content with coordinator outside of the auditions for consideration to be included in the event.
· Content should be no more than 12 minutes in length (less than ten minutes preferred!) and must be timed in an oral telling at some point for accuracy of length. Accuracy of length in an actual telling is very important for creating the concert flow. Shorter stories are certainly welcome.
Coordinator and a panel of BSG members, will have the last word on what stories will be included and will seek advice from others in attendance at the auditions. Notification from the coordinator will occur 2-3 days after auditions.
Expectations for the Event
· Tellers must share their story at the auditions or plan to share with Patty Callison, main event coordinator at another time.
· Tellers, if accepted for the performance, may attend a practice session for timing and feedback. This practice session will be Sunday, February 19, from 1 to 2:30 pm. in the Library Auditorium.
· Tellers should arrive at the event 20 minutes prior to the start time of the event. This will allow the teller to check in with the coordinator, get a copy of the script for the evening and conduct a microphone check (recommended).
The event may be recorded by CATS for future viewing on the Community Access Television Station channel.
Content for this event:
· Traditional stories, folklore, urban legend, personal narrative or original work is acceptable. Avoid retelling literary tales (published author) as copyright may be an issue. You will want to credit your sources.
· The event is advertised for Adults and Teens. Don’t go too young with content.
· Aim your content at the average listener who has a short attention span.
· Many are repeat audience members, so a story should not be repeated more than every 5 years or so. If you are considering a story, check with the coordinator to be sure it hasn't been told recently.
· The story does NOT need to be a story about Winter. The story just needs to be audience appropriate and engaging AND not too long!
*** Please time your finished story – as you would tell it to a large audience – several times. Guestimates of story length are reliably unreliable. ***
Reasons for Inclusion:
· The story is appropriate content for Wintertelling with interest for the casual listener.
· The story provides texture and contrast in the overall script.
· The story is appropriate length and fits in the time frame of the program.
· Presentation skill demonstrated in the past or at Auditions.
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