The Surprise Call that Rang in Opportunity

The phone rang.

Perhaps it was my Wolf Assistant Leader calling.

That seemed likely as I was dressed in my full Cub Scout leader uniform complete with green slacks, official blue and gold handkerchief, and even the green and red socks.

Maybe my Assistant Leader wanted to carpool to the Roundtable Training time for the leaders in the area.

Nope.

It was not her.

Then part of the name "Marjo. . ." showed and I knew.

When I saw who called me, I smiled.

It was Marjorie Shaefer in Tennessee.

I opened my phone and said, "Hello, Marjorie!"

That was when she told me the news that my name was drawn for one of twelve slots at the 2010 National Storytelling Conference in Los Angeles. There were 101 slips, and yet my name got pulled.

I heard this heart-thumping and exciting news while driving.

Perhaps not the safest thing in the world.

I was in my Scout uniform. I could have been a good Scout to pull over to the side of the road and continue the conversation. . .but I didn't.

That was when I lost grip of the phone and I accidentally hung up on Marjorie.

Yikes.

I called back, apologized, and then heard from Lethan Candlish and Loren Niemi as extra "witnesses" that my name was drawn. In fact, Loren held the slip "Rachel Hedman, UT".

Not that I needed witnesses. You could trust Marjorie with everything and then some.

My mind raced. Normally, I would want a chance to pace and jot ideas in a personal brainstorm session. But I had Roundtable Training.

I saluted the flag, sung the songs, but my mind was multitasking.

While eating a graham cracker spread with Cool Whip and sprinkled with blue berries, raspberries, and sliced bananas to represent the American flag, I made a mental list of who to call after the Roundtable Training.

It was already 8:30pm and time was limited to get in my calls.

I called:
1. Husband at work
2. Mom and Dad
3. Don Doyle--voice mail, but I hope he can be my emcee in L.A.
4. Holly Robison--who sang harmony with me during the first "Family Famine"
5. Stephen Gashler--who filmed the first "Family Famine" and who I encouraged to attend the 2010 National Storytelling Conference so he could do a 3-camera shoot of this next one
6. Nate--my brother, who is more of a night owl like me so I did not worry that it was after 10:00pm

I will need to call my sister, but she is one hour ahead of me. I had no choice but to stop.

Whew!

It was a lot of calls to make before 9:30pm or 10:00pm at night before most "normal" people go to sleep.

And there will be more calls to make tomorrow.

As for what I will do with the 55-minute Fringe time slot?

This will be part of my "Family Famine: Hunger for Love" series with different stories than my premiere one.

I plan to get a sponsor to help fly in Holly Robison (singer/teller), Joshua Payne (guitarist), and Geoffrey Rayback (upright bass player) so we can merge the arts with storytelling as the main stage art.

This will be a 3-camera shoot so anyone attending will give permission to be part of volume two of the next 2-DVD set. And yes, this one will also have audio commentary, ASL interpretation, photo gallery, etc.

This will be even bigger than the first one.

And I have about 10 months to plan.

That is about double the time I had for the first one.

Lovely.

Until we tell again,

Rachel Hedman

Professional Storyteller

Tel: (801) 870-5799
Email: info@rachelhedman.com

URL: http://www.rachelhedman.com/

How-To Blog: http://storytellingadventures.blogspot.com/

Performance Blog: http://familyfamine.blogspot.com/
Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/rachelfans
Other places to find me: Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, Professional Storyteller

Club Vision: "Do I Sound All Right to You?"

Every so often I receive a call from Club Vision, a group of people who are blind and meet three times a week for lunch and entertainment at the Elks Lodge.

I hoped that I would receive a call and be able to schedule a time with them to practice one of my premiere stories.

My wish was granted.

I asked, "You know how normally I tell stories for an hour and then I'm done? I wondered if I could tell one big story and receive feedback instead."

"Sure."

The "big story" was the Colombian tale The Gardener's Wife. I hoped Holly Robison's schedule would be free so the harmony and songs could be shared in the way it would at the premiere.

She was.

Then I thought about my gestures and movements. I still wanted to tell it with these elements though most of my audience would not be able to see them.

I needed the story to be physically remembered as well as to the images and plot within it.

When the focus was on the Gardener's Wife, then I sat down. When it was in the palace with the King and Queen, then I stood up.

Yet, for today, the test was on the sound.

Could the story be strong enough without the visuals?

Though, my own hearing was crazy.

You may remember the post when my left ear seemed clogged. I had to rely on sound from my right ear.

Well, when we got to a part in The Gardener's Wife where the Girl "ooooo"s while on the Quest, I could not hear Holly.

I thought she missed it so I asked afterward, "Why didn't you "ooooo" at that one part?"

"I did!" she laughingly stressed.

Hmmm. And with the premiere in a few days, I did not see any moment to schedule a doctor's appointment.

Despite my lack of hearing, my audience heard well.

Most of their compliments was on the songs. They loved the harmony.

One person mentioned that the story seemed repetitive.

That comment made me smile because stories usually have things repeat at least three times. It is part of story structure.

The person did not elaborate whether "repetition" was a good thing or a bad thing.

I took it as a good sign when a lady asked more about the premiere. Though she heard one of the three stories, she seemed interested to attend the whole event.

I gladly shared the information.

Wow. The premiere is only five days away.

My internal countdown clock must have its "ticks" and "tocks" connected to my heart.

Maybe the people at Club Vision heard that, too!

Until we tell again,

Rachel Hedman

Professional Storyteller

Former Co-Chair of Youth, Educators, and Storytellers Alliance (2005-2008)

Tel: (801) 870-5799
Email: info@rachelhedman.com

URL: http://www.rachelhedman.com

How-To Blog: http://storytellingadventures.blogspot.com

Performance Blog: http://familyfamine.blogspot.com
Other places to find me: Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, Professional Storyteller

1st Day of Official School Practices: Jr. High to Elementary

Many times I practiced with one person in the audience. That "one person" would be my story buddy.

It was finally time to test the Family Famine: Hunger for Love stories with a "real" audience.

Denae Palm, as an intern help from Weber State University, scheduled some times for me with local schools.

Today I traveled to two schools: Wahlquist Jr. High School to perform at 7:45am and Bates Elementary School to perform at 1:00pm.

I told The Changeling at the junior high and The Gardener's Wife with Holly Robison at the elementary school for the 5th graders.

On this particular day, I was ill.

Not ill from nerves, though perhaps some could be attributed to this kind.

I was ill from having little sleep and many projects to complete.

Before reading the responses from the students on what they thought of the stories, I thought I did great with the Junior High group and so-so with the Elementary group.

Then I discovered, I did better than I thought, especially for the Elementary group.

See the responses from the Junior High group here or the Elementary group here.

Until we tell again,

Rachel Hedman

Professional Storyteller

Former Co-Chair of Youth, Educators, and Storytellers Alliance (2005-2008)

Tel: (801) 870-5799
Email: info@rachelhedman.com

URL: http://www.rachelhedman.com

How-To Blog: http://storytellingadventures.blogspot.com

Performance Blog: http://familyfamine.blogspot.com
Other places to find me: Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, Professional Storyteller

Adoption Class: The Room Surrounded by Kleenex & The Search for Our Queen

Casey and I were one of the first couples to enter the room and everywhere we looked there were boxes of Kleenex.

I had grabbed a few of my own tissues before walking out the door.

I knew it was going to be emotional for these two days of the Adoption Education Seminar.

As other couples filed their way into the room, I quietly watched them.

I wondered, "What was their story?"

I knew ours.

On May 19th, 2009, Casey and I would be married for eight years. No children.

We went to doctors to be tested. Was it because of me? Was it because of Casey? Was there any reason?

The doctors had nothing to say to us. To them, we seemed fine.

I almost wished there was something said because then there would be an opportunity to fix it.

We had wanted kids since the beginning so eight years seemed like an eternity.

While at the home of Casey's parents, his father mentioned adoption and how some little one may be waiting for us through that way.

Something burned within me.

On the drive home, I told Casey. He said he felt it, too.

Yes, we had heard the stories of people who became pregnant once they started the adoption process. That was not the reason we started it.

We felt that regardless of how we had children--even if we became pregnant along the way--that we would still pursue the adoption process.

So here we were--at this two-day Adoption Education Seminar.

Many things were shared. Many things were learned.

Every so often I flashed to the Colombian story The Gardener's Wife.

In this story you have two women who desperately want to have children: the Gardener's Wife and the Queen.

The Queen is able to have children but, unbeknown to her, the two jealous older sisters, act as midwives and switch her children for either a dog, a cat, or a stick.

Every time the Queen must confront the King. What must he think.

But the Queen never says anything. Instead, her emotions are revealed through a sigh, a grieving groan, or a silent tear.

The Queen does not know that somewhere beyond the boundaries of her kingdom is where her children have been placed. Or at least placed as to how the Winding River carried the floating wooden boxes.

These boxes come--one by one--when the Gardener's Wife is in her deepest despair. She and her husband see these babes as blessings from above.

It was meant to be.

It was a gift.

Warmth and love returns to the heart of the Gardener's Wife. Not that she was cold and unfeeling before, but a certain side of her was unable to function until this moment.

Meanwhile, the Queen is in despair. How could she have these children and yet not have them? What curse had come upon her? When would she have the family she so desired?

Then, as can only happen as time passes, the Queen sees the beautiful garden kept by the Wife. She sees the oldest child. Her child. Something stirs inside her but she does not understand. . .that she is looking upon her own child.

Though, the Queen is filled with a burning. She feels three things are missing and ask the Gardener's Wife if her three children could go on a quest for these things.

More adventures happen but it is not until the quest is achieved that the Queen returns to the home of the Gardener's Wife. The two mothers realize that the three children are their children.

The mother who brought them in to the world and the mother who taught them how to live in the world were together.

And the children loved them both.

Then I thought to my life.

Somewhere was a Queen--the birth mother--for the child we wish to have in our home.

The Adoption Education Seminar shared how there was a time when the process is "my baby" to "our baby" to "your baby".

My eyes were opened more so to this process when we had the Birth Mother Panel. This was a part that was open to our family and friends.

I was thrilled--and tears formed--when Casey's parents were there along with three of my sisters-in-law with spouses.

Then, Holly Robison was there.

Holly would harmonize during the telling of The Gardener's Wife and it was special for her to be there. We both thought of the story as we heard the moving stories from the birth mothers.

We hugged.

Then I turned to my husband.

We knew that out there was the Queen, our Queen.

Until we tell again,

Rachel Hedman

Professional Storyteller

Former Co-Chair of Youth, Educators, and Storytellers Alliance (2005-2008)

Tel: (801) 870-5799
Email: info@rachelhedman.com

URL: http://www.rachelhedman.com

How-To Blog: http://storytellingadventures.blogspot.com

Performance Blog: http://familyfamine.blogspot.com
Other places to find me: Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, Professional Storyteller

Unable to Hear: Time Still Chimes Forth

As a storyteller, sometimes the mouth is cherished more so than the ears.

Foolish me.

Besides, my story buddy, Holly Robison, is always saying, "I've got a nose for a tale, so lend me an ear!"

In any case, it was a relief to have our practice in-person after last week's practice over the telephone with Holly.

She harmonizes two songs in the Colombian story The Gardener's Wife and the phone does not give justice to the singing. I could barely hear her so to know if all went well.

Yet, even with our in-person practice today, it seemed that something was wrong with my left ear.

It was as if someone had stuffed a sock into my ear.

My schedule was so intense that I thought, "I have no time to see a doctor!"

But I worried.

Strange that I comforted myself with, "My right ear works fine."

I searched online and searched for my symptoms. One link told me to hum. If I sounded louder from the side of the clogged ear, then most likely it was not a permanent hearing loss.

I sounded louder.

I did not feel an urgent need to see the doctor then.

As soon as Holly and I finished practicing, I headed to the Ruth Vine Taylor Library to meet with my Utah Storytelling Guild friends Carol Esterreicher and Jan C. Smith.

Carol, Jan, and I meet every 3rd Thursday to improve either the development of stories or the development of our story business.

To no one's surprise, I wanted to practice a story for the premiere.

As I told The Gardener's Wife with Holly, I chose to tell The Changeling with Carol and Jan.

Though, stewing inside my brain (besides an ear problem) was when I discovered that the same night as my Family Famine: Hunger for Love premiere was another storytelling concert in the neighboring town despite my efforts to avoid such a scheduling conflict.

My frustration must have merged into my telling of the Irish tale as Jan commented how much dark this story seemed.

She mentioned two moments that made it dark:
1. Mrs. Lynch and the way child abuse was alluded to in relation to her son and how Mrs. Sullivan responds
2. Mrs. Sullivan and the choice whether to send a red-hot poker down the changeling's throat in order to receive her baby back

Knowing that The Changeling would be the first story told at the premiere, Jan expected more of a "ha-ha" kind of story.

There were a few moments of humor, but it had more a creepy or ghostly feel than anything else.

I had two decisions before me:
1. Would I listen to this reaction and lighten the mood of the story?
2. Would I see the doctor to be able to hear. . .properly?

Time would have the answer for time still chimes forth whether or not I choose to listen.

Until we tell again,

Rachel Hedman

Professional Storyteller

Former Co-Chair of Youth, Educators, and Storytellers Alliance (2005-2008)

Tel: (801) 870-5799
Email: info@rachelhedman.com

URL: http://www.rachelhedman.com

How-To Blog: http://storytellingadventures.blogspot.com

Performance Blog: http://familyfamine.blogspot.com
Other places to find me: Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, Professional Storyteller

Telephone Practice: Not Same as Live. . .But Doable

Sometimes someone goes out of town and the ideal in-person practices must change to another way: the telephone.

Since storytelling is based on more than voice, certain parts of the practice could not be critiqued such as body language, gestures, or facial expressions.

Besides these components, I could not interact with my story buddy/audience, Holly Robison, during the telling itself. Though Holly did harmonize a couple song with me so she was more a performing artist than audience for this story.

I recorded the whole telephone conversation with my mp3 recorder. In fact, I recorded every version of "The Gardener's Wife" so to be more aware of the evolution of the story.

Unfortunately, the cell phone is not the best way to practice, especially when singing with a partner is involved.

It seemed like I was the only one singing when the places called for it. Holly said she sung so I believe she did.

However, cell phones tend to delay your response--even if it is by a mili-second--but it can make a difference when singing in harmony!

The story was about 42 minutes long and I knew that with time the story would really be about 30-35 minutes in length.

It is better to have "too much" in the beginning so then there is room to get to its essence when it is show time.

After telling the piece, we discussed where would be the best places for Holly's help in harmonizing.

I added some moments for her to "oooo" the lullaby tune when the Girl went on the Quest to find her Two Brothers.

I am anxious to see Holly in-person and practice this story again.

Nothing can compare to the "live" performance!

Until we tell again,

Rachel Hedman

Professional Storyteller

Former Co-Chair of Youth, Educators, and Storytellers Alliance (2005-2008)

Tel: (801) 870-5799
Email: info@rachelhedman.com

URL: http://www.rachelhedman.com

How-To Blog: http://storytellingadventures.blogspot.com

Performance Blog: http://familyfamine.blogspot.com
Other places to find me: Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, Professional Storyteller

"Lights, Camera, Action": Finding the Right Film Company

Thanks to Stephen and Teresa Gashler, owners of Gashler Media, in granting permission to post their picture and logo.

I searched online for the right company to film "Family Famine: Hunger for Love" and eventually I came upon Gashler Media.

Google was my search engine of choice and I used phrases such as "Utah videography" or "Utah filming company" and other similar words.

The listings usually changed my original search to "Utah wedding videography".

I laughed at the results, as what was I to expect from a state that had the most weddings anywhere in the nation. . .perhaps even in the world? Add to this that my premiere would be in Provo, the capital of marriages due to the closeness of Brigham Young University. There were many choices of filming companies.

Then, one by one, I googled specific companies that came from the online search. If I did not like their website (or if no website could be found), then I crossed them off my list.

I was suprised how many of the filming companies had a simple directory listing on wedding sites but nothing else to explain their services.

Finally, I found Gashler Media.

I liked the website, especially as there were samples of their work. I was intrigued when their site stated that "We will only produce family-friendly content (G or PG-rated) and nothing of a sensual, pornographic, violent, hateful, rude, irreverant, profane, obscene, deceitful or manipulative nature."

That made me wonder the rating for my premiere. Was it PG? I did place the minimum audience age to eight, though the stories were geared for twelve-year-olds and older. What did that mean?

It was helpful that Stephen and Teresa, the owners of Gashler Media, had pricing.

I noticed that for three cameras--as I wanted different angles--it would be $1000.

That would fit within my budget.

I called Stephen and scheduled a time today to meet the two of them to see if we might work together.

They requested that I bring a list of desired shots for the premiere.

Here are the Desired Shots--

"Before I Come on Stage" Shots

• Some set-up, putting up the booth in the hallway, or other ambiance footage like the empty theatre, wooden paneling, stage, etc.
• People taking their seats and chatting with each other
• Close up of Elizabeth Ellis, emcee
• Shots of my husband, Mom, Dad, and brother in the front row as Elizabeth acknowledges their presence
• My sister could not make it from Wisconsin so directing the auidence to look at one of the cameras and say, "We love you, Care!"
• Shots of some storytellers wearing blue ribbons
• Close up of Elizabeth Ellis and then pan out to see the whole stage when I come out

"The Changeling"--First Story Shots

• Audience reactions mixed with panned out and close-ups to include full-body shots and some close-ups of the face
• Close-ups of the three neighbors/characters--Mrs. O'Malley, Mrs. Flanagan, and Mrs. Lynch

"Forsaken Brother"--Second Story Shots

• Begin with close-ups of the upright bass and the guitar, as there will be a bit of "soundscapes" before I begin
• Audience reactions mixed with panned out and close-ups to include full-body shots and some close-ups of the face
• Mix of solo storytelling shots (me), duo shots (Geoff Rayback on bass and Joshua Payne on guitar), and trio shots (all three of us)
• Reference to eyes--how father's eyes are like the boy's eyes--so shots can reflect this reference
• In editing--quick shots between me and the instruments during climax (when brother spots boy on shore and tries to reach him before the boy transforms into a wolf)

Transition between Second and Third Stories

• Close-up of me to close-up of brother as I surprise him by having the audience sing "Happy Birthday" a day early

"The Gardener's Wife"--Third Story Shots

• Audience reactions mixed with panned out and close-ups to include full body shots and some close-ups of the face
• Mix of solo storytelling shots (me) and solo singing shots (when I sing alone and when Holly Robison sings alone), and duo shots when Holly and I harmonize
• Shots of audience when I welcome them to sing the lullaby, especially the first time
• Close-ups and full-body shots during singing of lullaby and of the grieving/pleading song

Recognition after the Program on Stage Shots

• When all performing artists and the emcee come on stage to applause

Celebration/Mingling Shots

• General buzz shots as people get up from their seats
• People eating cookies and treats
• With the buzz and talk, to have family reactions, Elizabeth Ellis and any volunteers who want to share what they thought (interview style)

What would also be Nice

• If I transcribe the performance, could closed captioning be chosen to be on or off?
• Audio commentary after it is done? To include story buddies and guest artists?
• Add American Sign Language interpreter on the corner while actual film is running of the live show?

I knew I had found the right company in Gashler Media when Stephen and Teresa told me that the closed captioning, audio commentary, and the ASL could be added without changing the $1000 fee.

So now on premiere day could be called out, "Lights, Camera, Action!"

Until we tell again,

Rachel Hedman

Professional Storyteller

Former Co-Chair of Youth, Educators, and Storytellers Alliance (2005-2008)

Tel: (801) 870-5799
Email: info@rachelhedman.com

URL: http://www.rachelhedman.com

How-To Blog: http://storytellingadventures.blogspot.com

Performance Blog: http://familyfamine.blogspot.com
Other places to find me: Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, Professional Storyteller

Song Recording: The Stress of It All

Holly Robison, my story buddy for "The Gardener's Wife", could be counted on to determine the right harmony for the two songs within the piece.

She loves singing. . .perhaps more than me!

When she was a seven-year-old, she sang a song about her Dad for a talent show. Time has passed and she has continued this talent by singing with choirs that have toured from the Western States to Germany. Today she is part of The Choral Arts Society of Utah and the We Also Sing, a woman's choir in the Salt Lake valley.

Sometimes it is nerve-striking to sing around her when I reflect on her background.

Then I remember, "Hey, Holly is my friend!" and I am calm again.

Then there are the times when stress gets the better of me.

Holly held her recorder towards me so she could have the songs within "The Gardener's Wife". Since she would be out of town on January 16th, we would have to have practice over the telephone. We would need to have the harmony for the songs done by then.

The tune was still new for the grieving/pleading song as it came together only yesterday. Suddenly I wondered if I would be able to remember. The thought was enough to create a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Again and again I asked for Holly to start the recorder to catch the tunes.

Always something went wrong.

It went so bad that I had to play the recording I made from my mp3 recorder so Holly could make a copy on her recorder.

I promised Holly I would be more confident with the tune by the time it was the premiere.

That was when Holly's normally-smiling-face stared at me seriously and said, "You know you can relax around me."

I thought about what she said.

The recording was made and I knew that in good times or in bad that Holly would be there for me.

Thank you, Holly, for being a wonderful friend!

Until we tell again,

Rachel Hedman

Professional Storyteller

Former Co-Chair of Youth, Educators, and Storytellers Alliance (2005-2008)

Tel: (801) 870-5799
Email: info@rachelhedman.com

URL: http://www.rachelhedman.com

How-To Blog: http://storytellingadventures.blogspot.com

Performance Blog: http://familyfamine.blogspot.com
Other places to find me: Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, Professional Storyteller

"The Gardener's Wife": Heart-Rhythms Put to Song

I paced the kitchen and sometimes the wooden planks would creak as I wondered what could be the tune of another song within "The Gardener's Wife" story.

The lullaby within the story with the words and lyrics came so fast to my mind that I half expected the same to happen with the grieving/pleading song.

As there is not a piano in my home, I could not tinker with the keys. Instead, I had to resort to humming, pausing, and determining if that tune was one I wanted to pursue.

My mp3 recorder was in my hand, always at the ready, in case a tune came.

I had the words for the song, which had three verses to be sung at different times in the story. Upon the whiteboard that hung by the refrigerator, I created words that Holly Robison could sing. This way she could harmonize on some lines and also sing different words at the same time I sung others.

Whenever Holly would sing within the story, I imagined that she represented the thoughts of the Gardener's Wife. Whenever I sang, then these were the words the Gardener's Wife sung out loud. I would sing solo the first three lines. Holly would sing a different tune for the first two lines of the chorus and then harmonize with me on the last line.

Below are the verses with Holly's extra parts in parentheses.

Verse 1:
A silent cradle.
A silent room.
A silent home much like a tomb.

Chorus:
Oh when oh when (please tell me when)
Will my wish be (deep in my heart)
In my arms to see.

Verse 2:
A lonely heartache.
A lonely hand.
A lonely baby from another land.

Chorus repeated

Verse 3:
An empty table.
An empty chair.
An empty family that should be there.
Chorus repeated

Finally, after recording a couple tunes for the lyrics, one stuck in my head.

I noticed that this tune was similar to the tune of the lullaby. That made me smile.

In life we have joy and we have sorrow. You cannot have life without one or the other. In this way, the lullaby and the grieving/pleading song complement each other. The lullaby becomes more sweet and the grieving/pleading song becomes more sad. Together, we have a complete person who sings these songs. For this story, it meant the Gardener's Wife.

Even the rhythm of the song had a kind of heartbeat to it with a "thum, tha, tha" and "thum, tha, tha" sound throughout.

I was excited to share this discovery with Holly, especially as I could not sing both parts during the chorus to make sure that the tunes created would work.

Though deep in my heart, I knew.

Until we tell again,

Rachel Hedman

Professional Storyteller

Former Co-Chair of Youth, Educators, and Storytellers Alliance (2005-2008)

Tel: (801) 870-5799
Email: info@rachelhedman.com

URL: http://www.rachelhedman.com

How-To Blog: http://storytellingadventures.blogspot.com

Performance Blog: http://familyfamine.blogspot.com
Other places to find me: Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, Professional Storyteller

Self-Censorship: When it is Dangerous to the Art

For almost every word that left my mouth, a grimace or an inner groan told me, "That was the wrong word choice" or "You can do better than this!"

As I told about 20 minutes of "The Gardener's Wife", it seemed that I had ordered an extra large delivery of butterflies-in-the-stomach. Holly Robison, my story buddy, sensed my frustration and reminded me that I could make mistakes in front of her.

I glanced at the timing on the mp3 recorder. I had barely gotten to the part in the story when the Wife adopts the first child. There were two more children to be adopted, and there was the quest for each of the children. I had expected this Colombian story to take about 40 minutes to tell. At this rate, it would take an hour!

Then I stopped. The story was not done but I stopped.

I wanted perfection and forgot that this meeting was called a "practice". My desire to be flawless could only mean disaster. The self-censorship would hinder my creative process (compare to previous post for "Forsaken Brother").

For several weeks, I had "played" with this story by looking into character personalities, envisioning the scenery, and other techniques.

Today the "fun" was gone.

I deeply wanted to share the story for the premiere, but I recognized that today was not my day to pursue it.

Holly comforted me and said the story would come together in time.

We did not discuss too much of what I needed to improve, as my self-censorship already gave me a long list of "to do"s. However, we did agree that I spent too much time with the two oldest sisters, who were minor characters in the story.

On the way home, I realized why I did not feel prepared to share the story the whole way through: the French Scenes had not been completed (see previous post on this story's French Scenes so far).

I determined to work on the French Scenes so to be more ready next time. The scenes could give structure to an otherwise chaotic story. Then I could "play" and enjoy the story for the following practice with Holly Robison.

I am thankful for Holly's patience with me.

Until we tell again,

Rachel Hedman

Professional Storyteller

Former Co-Chair of Youth, Educators, and Storytellers Alliance (2005-2008)

Tel: (801) 870-5799
Email: info@rachelhedman.com

URL: http://www.rachelhedman.com

How-To Blog: http://storytellingadventures.blogspot.com

Performance Blog: http://familyfamine.blogspot.com
Other places to find me: Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, Professional Storyteller

Behind the Wheel: When Imagination is Most Active

The drive home from the New Year's Eve party was the perfect opportunity to practice.

We were invited to gather for New Year's Eve at the home of one of my husband's brothers. Over 20 of us celebrated into the wee hours. As my husband and I traveled the furthest, we were offered to sleepover so we could be well rested and start the New Year right.

When I sat in the car, I wanted to review the scenes of "The Gardener's Wife", the Colombian story. I would meet with Holly Robison on January 2nd to tell the whole story, and I wanted to be ready. I expected to the story to be told in about 40 minutes so there were many details to remember.

Along the highway, I saw the Utah mountains. I pretended that the mountains were the ones in Colombia and made them more green in my mind.

Eventually I pictured the Wife in the story looking down from the mountains and into a corner of the garden. I did not speak words of what I saw. This was something I witnessed through thoughts and driving upon the highway.

The imaginings continued.

The Wife thinks she sees a child, only to discover it is squash. The Wife laughs at herself while have a touch of sadness as she and her husband are childless.

This was not hard to feel as my husband and I have been married for over seven and a half years and we have wanted children from the beginning.

I thought of the winding river that brought a baby one by one to the Wife. As Utah is a dry place, the winding highway became my "winding river".

And so was my drive home. Something outside my window would transform into something inside "The Gardener's Wife" story.

If only the pictures in my head would translate into words from my mouth to share with others. Then I would transform from being dreamer to being storyteller.

Until we tell again,

Rachel Hedman

Professional Storyteller

Former Co-Chair of Youth, Educators, and Storytellers Alliance (2005-2008)

Tel: (801) 870-5799
Email: info@rachelhedman.com

URL: http://www.rachelhedman.com

How-To Blog: http://storytellingadventures.blogspot.com

Performance Blog: http://familyfamine.blogspot.com
Other places to find me: Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, Professional Storyteller

School Schedules: Practices with "Real" Audiences

Anytime someone listens to one of my stories, I have an audience.

Sometimes that audience is the grand total of one person such as when I meet with my story buddies every week for each story in the "Family Famine: Hunger for Love" premiere.

However, a "real" audience is usually when my performance is expected to be polished to some degree. I also tend to think of a "real" audience as being at least 10 people so I have more reactions to absorb while telling the tale.

Denae Palm, the Weber State University senior undergraduate student who is dedicating 30+hours to my program, has one of her core responsibilities to schedule practices with schools from upper elementary to high school.

At the same time, this will spread the word about the event whether or not practices are schedules.

The schools are being told upfront that these are practices, and thus a $50.00 donation is requested rather than my regular fee. There is the understanding that I will ask for feedback from the audience, students and teachers.

The 1st schools to respond have 1st choice of story:

• The Changeling, an Irish story bookended with a personal tale that indirectly addresses verbal and physical abuse (20 minutes plus 10 minutes for feedback)
  
• Forsaken Brother, an Ojibwa tale with soundscapes with guitarist Joshua Payne and upright bass player Geoffrey Rayback that focuses on abandonment (20 minutes plus 5-minute opening story, 5-minute closing story--as Ojibwa tale ends sadly--, and 10 minutes for feedback)
  
• The Gardener's Wife, a Colombian tale with two original songs to be sung as duet with Holly Robison and focuses on adoption (40 minutes plus 10 minutes for feedback)
  

When Denae made calls, the first principal to schedule a date and time was from Bates Elementary School. He chose the Colombian story on adoption. Of the 4th, 5th, or 6th grades, the best behaved grade would hear the story on January 30th at 1:00pm.

Luckily, that date and time worked for Holly Robison since she sings duet with me for the story.

Later in the day, Denae received a call back from a high school special education teacher to discover if I would be interested to telling for her students. I let Denae know that I was open to such requests because then the story could be tested to see if it would reach all kinds of students.

We shall see what other practices will be scheduled before the premiere day on February 9th.

Until we tell again,

Rachel Hedman

Professional Storyteller

Former Co-Chair of Youth, Educators, and Storytellers Alliance (2005-2008)

Tel: (801) 870-5799
Email: info@rachelhedman.com

URL: http://www.rachelhedman.com

How-To Blog: http://storytellingadventures.blogspot.com

Performance Blog: http://familyfamine.blogspot.com
Other places to find me: Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, Professional Storyteller

Geoff Rayback: Upright Bass Player for the Teller

Joshua Payne thought that Geoff Rayback (see picture) may be interested in the "Forsaken Brother" story and add to the accompaniment.

He was right.

I received the call from Joshua today. Geoff was officially our upright bass player.

I have yet to meet him in person. I do know Joshua and I trust him enough to extend that trust to Geoff.



What I know so far--
Geoffrey Rayback is a bassist and producer based in Salt Lake City. He has played with musicians such as Ernie Watts, Cronelius Bumpus, and Ward Swingle. He has engineered and produced more than twenty albums in styles ranging from straight ahead jazz to heavy metal and runs the independent record label Hibiscus Zombie Records.

This would add something more to the whole "Family Famine: Hunger for Love" program.

When I realized that Geoff could join guitarist Joshua Payne and singer/storyteller Holly Robison in this venture, I thought about one of my dreams as a teller.

One year I went with my husband to the Annual Christmas Concert put on by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Besides the world famous choir, there was the Orchestra on Temple Square, the Bells on Temple Square, dancers, and a storyteller.

The storyteller was always a big name--a celebrity name. Someone who did not label themselves as a storyteller on a daily basis.

I knew I would not reach celebrity status, but I played with the idea and asked my family, "Couldn't there be tandem telling with a celebrity?"

The emotions mixed with story and music and song and dance would lift me to the heavens. . .if not for a moment.

When looking at the "Family Famine: Hunger for Love" program, Joshua and Geoff will provide "soundscapes" rather than tunes. This makes me wonder how close I may be to what I envisioned a few years before.

At this time, I welcome Geoff as well as Joshua and Holly to share their dreams for what could be the very near future.

Until we tell again,

Rachel Hedman

Professional Storyteller

Former Co-Chair of Youth, Educators, and Storytellers Alliance (2005-2008)

Tel: (801) 870-5799
Email: info@rachelhedman.com

URL: http://www.rachelhedman.com

How-To Blog: http://storytellingadventures.blogspot.com

Performance Blog: http://familyfamine.blogspot.com
Other places to find me: Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, Professional Storyteller

"The Gardener's Wife": French Scenes technique

Each story in this "Family Famine: Hunger for Love" premiere will be my chance to use the French Scenes technique for storytelling taught by Don Doyle.

In September 2006, I met with him to work on the Greek epic "Hephaestus: Fire Within", which addressed child abuse at infant and adolescent stages and the results when Hephaestus became an adult.

Click here if you want to know what else I learned from Don Doyle.

Basic concept of French Scenes:
French Scenes are main events of the story that begin with one or more key characters enter the scene and ends when one or more key characters exit the scene. Between entrances and exits are developments to the story whether in understanding the environment, revealing character, and forwarding the plot.

French Scenes tend to be divided into 5 parts though I could have as many as 32+ parts for a complicated story.

While meeting with Holly Robison, my story buddy for "The Gardener's Wife", we pulled out the thesaurus as we brainstormed works for character feelings. Time flew by so we did not complete all the scenes for story. Even one of her daughters came to check our project out. (permission granted to post picture)

Here are the French Scenes so far for this Colombian story--
***Please note that the Gardener's Wife will simply be known as Wife.

Scene 1:
Enter Wife
Exit Husband

Environment--

• Inside house looking out to garden
• Fall time for Colombia (or late summer)
• Beautiful day--sun, blue sky, hear birds and breeze

Character/Feelings--

• Wife--longing, wishful, hopeful, happy/sad, bewildered at husband's view
• Husband--happy, befuddled at the answer that his wife wants of him, preoccupied with work

***Both have feelings of love and playfulness
Moving Plot Forward--

• Establish that the Wife and Husband are childless

Scene 2:
Enter Thoughts about the 3 Sisters
Exit with Triple Weddings

Environment--

• Garden--flowers will trigger memories about the village gossip
• Same day as Scene 1--still beautiful day
• Eventually memories transport from Garden to the Castle and Castle Grounds for weddings

Character/Feelings--

• Wife--reflecting on comical "story", eye to detail, honored
• All Sisters--joking, playful, dreamy, hungry
  
• 1st Sister--(oldest)--leader and turns jealous and resentful
• 2nd Sister--(middle)--follows the oldest Sister but likes the 3rd Sister's answer best
• 3rd Sister--(youngest)--has bigger vision and spoiled

Moving Plot Forward--

• Explains vengeance of two older Sisters towards the youngest (leads to babies switched)
• Emphasize indifference of the King

Scene 3:
Enter Pregnant 3rd Sister
Exit 1st Baby Boy

Environment--

• Castle and Castle Grounds with buzz by subjects of 1st born and turns to gasp/silence as discover the dog
  
• 10 months later
• Midwife Room
• River

Character/Feelings--

• 3rd Sister (pregnant)--loud, in pain, sleep deprived
• 1st Sister (leader of scheme)--even more jealous, conniving, vengeful, grumpy
• 2nd Sister (follower of scheme)--same as 1st Sister except nervous, worried to get caught
• King--unconcerned, indifferent
• 1st Baby Boy--quiet otherwise people would not believe the dog was born in its place

Moving Plot Forward--

• Strange reactions for Queen and King of baby "dog", though Queen feels like something is missing later on
• Baby will arrive to the Wife and Husband so the audience will know to whom the Baby belongs

Scene 4:
Enter Wife and Husband
Exit Wife with 1st Baby Boy into Home

Environment--

• Outside at Garden near River
• Beautiful day

Character/Feelings--

• Wife--grieving, longing, despair, hopeless (another 10 months childless), then turns to surprise, curious, joy, tenderness, love, celebration, praising, thankful, wonder
• Husband--happy, confused, worries more of where Baby comes from, otherwise same as the Wife
• 1st Baby Boy--loved, content, though ill from being tossed on the water, tired when hears lullaby until completely asleep

Moving Plot Forward--

• 1st Baby Boy has Home

More scenes will be added in a future post.















Until we tell again,

Rachel Hedman

Professional Storyteller

Former Co-Chair of Youth, Educators, and Storytellers Alliance (2005-2008)

Tel: (801) 870-5799
Email: info@rachelhedman.com

URL: http://www.rachelhedman.com

How-To Blog: http://storytellingadventures.blogspot.com

Performance Blog: http://familyfamine.blogspot.com
Other places to find me: Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, Professional Storyteller

"The Gardener's Wife" & Heart-Song Scribblings

I always imagined two songs in "The Gardener's Wife": a grieving song and a lullaby.

While with my story buddy, Holly Robison, we explored the possibilities for the grieving song. The grieving song would be prompted when she is alone. She is strong when her husband is nearby.

In August 2008, I had the following ideas or what I labeled as "Scribblings from my Heart"--

An empty table.
An empty chair.
An empty family that should be there.

This was our starting point for our brainstorming and one of our handy tools was the thesaurus.

I realized that I would like to delve into the senses such as sight, sound, touch/feel, smell and taste. The empty table and chair were visual, but what about for sound or for touch/feel? Holly and I did not think that we could do much with smell or taste for this song.

I sensed that three verses were needed. Originally I thought the song would be sung all at once at the beginning. This would be before the Gardener's Wife is blessed with three children. Then I expressed to Holly that in some ways it was too bad that it would be sung once as the lullaby would be sung several times throughout the story.

Holly asked, "Does it have to be sung all at once?"

Silence. My mind racing.

"No, it doesn't!" I exclaimed.

As there are three children, one of the three verses could be sung before a baby comes to her. The lullaby would then be sung after a baby come.

First verse--rough draft:

A silent cradle.
A silent room.
A silent home that sounds like a tomb.

As not a single baby is in the home, it would be silent. The focus would be on the sense of sound.

Other things could be silent besides a cradle and room:

• laughter
• songs
• stories
• crying
• sharing
• chat/conversation/talk
• play
• room
• home
• corner
• place
  

Second verse--rough draft:

A lonely ______. (needs to be two syllables)
A lonely ______. (needs to be one syllable)
A lonely ___________________. (2nd and 3rd lines need to rhyme)

The Gardener's Wife knows that though she is not as lonely as before, she still does not feel complete. There is also not a playmate or sibling for the first baby. The focus would be on the sense of touch/feel.

Things that could create loneliness:

• moment
• time
• hour
• hand
• walk
• hug
• thought
• meal
• baby items
• places

Third verse--rough draft:

An empty table.
An empty chair.
An empty family that should be there.

The Gardener's Wife knows, as a mother, that someone is missing. A third child needs to come to the home. The focus would be on the sense of sight.

Other words could be like empty:

• barren
• nothing
• zero
• lack
• silent
• bare
• blank
• vacant
• unfulfilled
• forgotten

There will be a day when this "grieving" song will not be silent, lonely, or empty. All will be complete. . .soon.

Until we tell again,

Rachel Hedman

Professional Storyteller

Former Co-Chair of Youth, Educators, and Storytellers Alliance (2005-2008)

Tel: (801) 870-5799
Email: info@rachelhedman.com

URL: http://www.rachelhedman.com

How-To Blog: http://storytellingadventures.blogspot.com

Performance Blog: http://familyfamine.blogspot.com
Other places to find me: Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, Professional Storyteller

Marketing Buddies: Many Eyes & Many Brains

I never like to make a decision alone. Not when it comes to advertising.

I sent the file of possible poster and postcard images for "Family Famine: Hunger for Love" to several storytelling friends including my story buddies for "The Gardener's Wife" and for "Forsaken Brother".

I also sent the file to Elizabeth Ellis.

Then I waited for reactions.

Dawn Bloxham, the artist, had sent a page of six different images. She let me know that any of the images could be changed and altered such as in the colors, shapes, and additions.

Two pictures were of two hands with palms up with a heart in it. Another picture was of a heart-shaped apple with a bite and light streaming from it. The fourth image was of a modern white soup bowl filled with tomato soup with a white cream heart and a spoon from an aerial view. The last picture was of a thick horizontal limb of a tree with a couple apples hanging from it with a little blue bird.

I had considered the tree because my business card has a tree with a single apple hanging from it. Perhaps this would be a way to connect my logo with the program's logo.

Yet, it was the bowl of soup that grabbed my attention. I knew the white bowl was too modern, but if it was a modern bowl, then that might be perfect. Most of my story buddies commented on how the bowl of soup grabbed them.

Joanna Huffaker, a storytelling friend, mentioned that the hands did give a human touch so I asked Dawn to add hands around the wooden bowl.

Besides the image, Dawn asked what information needed to be on the posters. I sent her the following lists--

Required Information for Poster:

• Title--Family Famine: Hunger for Love
• World premiere narrative production recorded live
• Starring Rachel Hedman
• Monday, February 9th at 8:00pm
• Covey Center for the Arts, Grand Theater
• 425 W. Center Street, Provo, UT
• Tickets: $10.00 general admission, $5.00 student/senior*, $5.00 for groups of 15 or more*, *Discount prices available only by phone or in person*
• Reserve your seats by calling (801) 852-7007 or go to www.coveycenter.org
• Light refreshments to follow

Debating on How or If to Share the Following Information for Poster/Postcard Due to Space:

• Guest emcee/national storyteller Elizabeth Ellis
• Singer Holly Robison
• Accompanist/Guitarist Joshua Payne
• How much of this standard description--Family life can starve when fed abuse and abandonment with stories that gnaw at the stomach. Then Rachel shares the feast of patience, humor and unconditional love through multicultural tales mixed with song and personal reflection. You are welcome to the table.
• More info at http://familyfamine.blogspot.com or email info@rachelhedman.com
• Merchandise available for purchase

Information for the "Save the Date" Postcard (besides required info for Poster):

• Extend your stay while at the Timpanogos Storytelling Conference (www.timpfest.org) from February 5-7 and take part in this event
• Please RSVP at info@rachelhedman.com
• Remember you could:
  

* Attend and celebrate
* Pre-order DVD at special price $15.00 (Normal $20.00)
* Invite Rachel to you
* Or all of the above!

Until we tell again,

Rachel Hedman

Professional Storyteller

Former Co-Chair of Youth, Educators, and Storytellers Alliance (2005-2008)

Tel: (801) 870-5799
Email: info@rachelhedman.com

URL: http://www.rachelhedman.com

How-To Blog: http://storytellingadventures.blogspot.com

Performance Blog: http://familyfamine.blogspot.com
Other places to find me: Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, Professional Storyteller

"The Gardener's Wife" and Character Sketches

Each time I see Holly Robison, my story buddy for "The Gardener's Wife", I like to have goals in mind.

This time I wanted to figure out the character and personality of the Gardener's Wife, the one I transformed into the main character. I also wanted to explore how the Garden itself is a character.

On other days I may delve into the personalities of the other characters.

If I know people in real life who are like the characters, then I have done a good job.

Holly asked questions and I responded to what I thought was the correct answer. Some questions required further understanding of the Colombian culture. I checked out all the books possible on the country--at least in Davis County!


Questions for the Gardener's Wife:

• What is her house like? This says a lot about a person. I will need to research what is common in Colombia.
• What is her favorite color? Bright blue or maroon.
• What does she do in her spare time? She loves to go off into the mountains, walk among the ruins. From the plateau, she enjoys leaning against the pine and oak trees to see the view. (Yes, there are pine and oak trees in Colombia.)
• What is her favorite plant? Squash, as it reminds her of a baby when seen a certain way. Her husband does not see it like that and only grows them because the king likes them.
• What are her typical facial expressions or postures? She tends to cock her head, usually because she dreams of when she will have a real baby in her arms rather than an imaginary one. She uses both arms for most gestures with the palms up or cupping shape as if she is always giving. This is opposite of the three sisters in the story who are always taking.

Questions of the Garden:

• What type of garden is it? There are almost all the plants of Colombia, especially as the queen says that it is only missing three things: the bird that speaks, the orange tree that dances, and the water that jumps and leaps.
• How many types of plants are in it? There are about 4,000 species of plants. There are 3,000 orchid species.
• How many kind of birds? There are 1,500 species of birds.
• What are some examples of plants in the garden? Vanilla trees, ginger, castor beans, papayas, mangoes, melons, pineapple, passion fruit, bananas, coconut, and the list goes on.
• Of what importance is the garden to the story? The garden causes the request from the queen. These turn into quests for the three youth. It is also believed that the condition of the environment is tied to politics, economics, and relations with the world.
  

Every session with Holly opens my eyes even more to how much I love this story.

Until we tell again,

Rachel Hedman

Professional Storyteller

Former Co-Chair of Youth, Educators, and Storytellers Alliance (2005-2008)

Tel: (801) 870-5799
Email: info@rachelhedman.com

URL: http://www.rachelhedman.com

How-To Blog: http://storytellingadventures.blogspot.com

Performance Blog: http://familyfamine.blogspot.com
Other places to find me: Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, Professional Storyteller