A New Teller for the Festival of Ghost Stories

 

                Jon Stevens, an Indiana University graduate student in Library Science, will be telling a story in his first public performance with the Bloomington Storytellers Guild during the 46^th annual Festival of Ghosts Tales on Friday, October 29^th beginning at 7:00 pm in Bryan Park.

                Stevens, who was raised in Westfield, Indiana, got his undergraduate degree in Education at IU and spent twelve years teaching high school in Shelbyville, then in Franklin, Indiana, prior to returning to graduate school.

                Intrigued with storytelling after taking a summer class in storytelling with IU Professor Christina Jones, Stevens found a natural outlet for his interest in ghost stories, monster stories and urban legends. He now works with Jones at the IU Education Library and has an opportunity to dig into the stacks in search of captivating tales.

                “As a teacher, I taught English and theatre classes, and I directed plays,” Stevens said. “Storytelling gives me the fun of looking up different folktales and making them my own.”

                Ghost tales are of special interest to him, and he had also taught classes on monsters and urban legends. He defines a ghost as some historical trauma inflicting itself upon the present -- pain or fear that is still relevant today and that people still connect with.

                “I think that these types of stories give us the ability to talk about our fears and societal concerns in a safe way”, he says. “I look forward to telling and participating in oral tradition.”

                Stevens will be telling an IU legend called, The Girl in the Yellow Dress, about a ghost said to haunt Read Hall dormitory on campus.

                “Different versions [of the story] highlight different fears”, Stevens says. “My version is about addressing current fears of violence against women on campus. The story plays into a young man’s obsession and jealousy.”

                Storytelling is about interacting with our past and keeping the past alive, Stevens relates.

                “When I taught, my students would say that we have no culture in Indiana! I would get them to listen to tales and help them to recognize their own cultural past.”

                The Festival of Ghost Tales featuring members of the Bloomington Storytellers Guild is sponsored by the City of Bloomington Department of Parks and Recreation and by the Monroe County Public Library. Bring your own blanket and lawn chair for this outdoor event. The event is best suited for adults, teens, and older school-age children. May not be appropriate for younger children. In case of rain, the show will take place at the MCPL Downtown location auditorium. Call 812-349-3754 for weather-related updates.