This is a LONG read, but essential if you plan to join us as a teller at the Festival of Ghost Stories 2026!!!
Do you have a great scary story to tell? We have a park full of listeners who can't wait to hear it!
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First check your calendar and be sure you can make the performance date!
Performance date will be Friday, October 23th from 7-8:30 p.m. in Bryan Park (rain location MCPL).Then, find out about the annual Festival of Ghost Stories, sponsored by the Bloomington Parks Department, the Monroe County Public Library, and the Bloomington Storytellers Guild. Check out our past performances on CATS TV channel through the library website. Come to our September meeting on Sunday, September 13, 1-2:30 pm, MCPL room 2A.
Then, try out. Auditions are required for the Festival of Ghost Stories 2026,
Auditions for a performance slot will be held Monday, September 28th, 5 -6:30 p.m. at the Monroe County Public Library Auditorium. Members of the BSG will be there to listen to your tale.
Please let Laura Clavio (lzclavio@gmail.com) know as soon as possible if you plan to attend. Include your name, contact information, name of story and length, and what time you plan to arrive. Please see instructions below for more specific information. This is a community service gig for the Guild, tellers are not paid.
Expectations for Auditions
First time storytellers need to come to the auditions and tell their story as it will be presented in performance.
All storytellers 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 acceptable. A certificate signed by a Swiss timekeeper must verify length. (OK not really, but seriously, we need an exact length.)
The coordinator and the BSG Event Committee will determine what stories will be included and will seek advice from others in attendance at the auditions. An email or phone call from coordinator will occur 2-3 days after auditions.
Expectations for the event
Tellers must share their story in the auditions, or negotiate having a recording or video submitted..
Tellers, if accepted for the performance, may be requested to attend a practice session for timing and feedback.
Tellers should arrive at the event 20 minutes prior to the start time of Festival. 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 library channel.
Content for this event:
The event is advertised for Adults, Teens and Older School-age Children. Don’t go too young with content. 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.
Content should be:
Seasonally appropriate
Content may or may not include a ghost, could be spooky or funny, but should match audience expectations for a Festival of Ghost Stories.
Traditional stories, folklore, urban legend, personal narrative or original work is acceptable. Avoid retelling movie or TV plots. Be prepared to credit your sources.
Aim your content to the average listener who has a short attention span.
***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:
Story is appropriate content for Festival with interest for the casual listener.
Story provides texture and contrast in the overall script.
Story is appropriate length and fits in the time frame of the program.
Presentation skill demonstrated in past or at Auditions meeting.
