Reflections on putting on a story show

Last year I decided to put on a one-person storytelling show for adults.

It was something I felt compelled to do and despite my reservations, I knew that this was an itch I

needed to scratch.

Logistics

It was easy to find a venue, I rang the Box Factory, a local community centre, and made a booking. It cost $45.

The next thing was advertising the event, something that I did by making a poster, sending emails and sending the

poster to people via snail mail. I was aiming to get about 40-50 people there.

I think that the best results came from sending the poster in the mail and speaking to people directly. I doubt that

any-one came because they saw the poster in the local IGA.

I decided to simplify matters by having no pre-event ticketing. This made it a bit nerve-wracking but I think in retrospect was a good idea.

A couple of friends took money at the door. I charged $10 and $5 concession.

I decided against offering refreshments .I figured the venue was in town so people could go for a drink or a bite to eat afterwards. That meant I could have a

drink after the show instead of manning the tea-towel.

I was unsure as to if I would need amplification , so I arranged for Graham to bring the Guild’s p.a. in case I needed it. Although I decided not to use it, having it there gave me a sense of comfort. (Thanks Graham).

Material

I selected the material from things I had written myself. I wanted the show to be 45-50 minutes long. I hoped the audience would feel happy after the show: like they had been on a journey . Accordingly, I selected material that was diverse, and arranged it carefully. I thought of ways of incorporating song, sound and music

as a way of breaking up the barrage of words.

I knew that the crowd would be unsure about what to expect, so I put a lot of thought into the first moments of the show. Explaining what was in store allowed them to relax and be carried by the stories.

Learning the material

As the material was very closely scripted this took HOURS. I started about 4 weeks before the show and would go down to the local park

with my script after I dropped my daughter off at school. Sitting on a bench in the park muttering is not a good look.

However I knew that I had to be entirely fluent and at ease, and this only happens as the result of much muttering.

Performing your own work is a way of saying this is what goes on in my head. I made this up. Revealing the products of your own imagination to an audience largely comprised of friends and family is intimidating, liberating, scary and wonderful.

Set and Costume

Obviously this was pretty low key, but nonetheless important. My ‘set’ comprised of a small folding table, lamp, teddy-bear, small xylophone and a pot plant.

I wore white pants and black top .

The Final Result

It felt strange opening up the venue, screwing open the windows, setting up the chairs. I felt quite calm and excited. I asked the audience to come at 7:45 for an 8 o’clock start so

there was a lot of friendly chatting and milling around before the show. It was strange to see the mix of long lost uncles, neighbours, work colleagues, and friends of friends.

There was a terrific mixture of people there, and best of all Mum and Dad were sitting in the front row!

As the show progressed this lovely atmosphere in the room built. I felt connected to everyone there, and in a way they were connected to each other. I believe this is the beauty of storytelling. It is a binding force. I felt that I had given people some time to step out of themselves and to be carried by their imaginations and my words.

The Sequel

I am aiming to repeat this show in April and to devise a new one ready for November.

Perhaps you can come!