Trek (6 of 7): "Battling Out" Story Project Priorities

I must decide which priorities are most important for the premiere.






This is six of seven posts relating to my info-gathering trek to BYU on October 21, 2008.

Ideally all of the following options would be available, but I may need to drop one or two of them. Perhaps all of them would be possible for a future time but not for the premiere.

After much debate, here are my priorities in order of preference:

• Out-of-town Professor, Elizabeth Ellis, to be Present
• High Attendance
• On-Campus Convenience
  
• True to RSVPs Received for Monday, February 9th
• Fundraiser Capability

Out-of-town Professor, Elizabeth Ellis, to be Present
Though this "Family Famine: Hunger for Love" project has been on my mind since 2005, the project did not emerge into being until Elizabeth Ellis urged us East Tennessee State University graduate students in the Storytelling program to take an incomplete for her Advanced Storytelling class. She wanted us to perform at our top caliber for the "My Finest Hour" assignment.

Finally I had enough courage to see the dream become reality.

There is a benefit for having a professor who is also a national storyteller: she travels often to reach her engagements. However, this does not mean she is in Utah every month or every other month.

When she became one of the two keynote speakers/tellers for the 2009 Timpanogos Storytelling Conference during February 5-7, I this was my chance for Elizabeth to see my performance in-person. True, I could videotape the performance and mail a copy to her, although any storyteller would tell you it is not the same.

Elizabeth Ellis would be in Utah about a week after the conference to perform for schools and community groups. Nevertheless, I could not have Elizabeth pencil in every single evening as one of the possible dates for my premiere. While a venue is determined, Elizabeth has been so kind to reserve Monday, February 9th as well as Wednesday, February 4th.

High Attendance
For any performance you want an audience and the exact number in attendance does not matter.

Yet, when your venue will have 300+ seats, then you want to fill as many as possible.

The main people I aim to attend are: Timpanogos Storytelling Conference attendees (most likely from Utah unless others extend their stay), college students, and Utah Storytelling Guild members. I expect there will also be people from chambers of commerce, youth groups, and senior citizen groups as well as other miscellaneous groups.

If the premiere is scheduled any farther from the Monday, February 9th, date and the less I would gain from the conference attendees.

With Monday known as Family Home Evening, this could help or hurt my efforts. I would like the audience to compose of 12-year-olds+ with no one younger than eight. It may be strange for parents and youth to attend and yet discourage the younger ones to be there on such a night as Family Home Evening. Although, for the student BYU Family Home Evening groups, this may be a nice activity due to the performance's theme.

On-Campus Convenience
The Timpanogos Storytelling Conference is held at Brigham Young University because of its partnership with the Division of Continuing Education housed in the Harman Building. Anybody coming from out-of-town or out-of-state may book a hotel closest to the BYU campus. Being on campus is also desired as I hope some professors will encourage attendance from their students through listing it in their syllabi or at least making an announcement in class.

If the event did not take place on-campus, it would need to be close enough for students and conference attendees. The name of the venue would also need to be recognizable and, hopefully, easy to find.

True to RSVPs Received for Monday, February 9th
Ever since I started the "Family Famine: Hunger for Love" blog and Facebook support group, the date has been announced and I have placed various countdowns throughout the Internet. I have also included the date in my email signature.

As such, I have friends and supporters who have already RSVPed.

One of my storytelling friends, Carol Esterreicher, was offered to tell stories for the Salt Lake County Library system on Monday, February 9th. Carol explained that she would need to tell another night because she was attending my premiere. She did not have to do that and she told me about it after the fact. With friends like Carol, I am truly blessed.

Fundraiser Capability
Being part of the Storytelling Heroes Campaign Advancement Team, I felt a duty in dedicating one of my performances for the 100-benefit-concert-effort to each raise at least $250 for the National Storytelling Network and further the art.

After my trek to the BYU Campus, I realized that this would involve another approval form to be filled. Being sponsored by a college department or club meant I had to abide by the campus' rules. The Family Home Evening night, if also sponsored through a religious group, would forbid the exchange of money, donations, goods, or services. There seemed little to no success even once the approval form was completed.

Having the Heroes fundraiser for this premiere would complicate an already intense project. I have other performances which would be easier to transform into a fundraiser.

So now you know where I stand.

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

Trek (5 of 7): "Oh Glorious" Paperwork for Theatre

Whether or not the university is conservative or has religious connections, there is a guarantee there will be paperwork to create an event.

This is five of seven posts relating to my info-gathering trek to BYU on October 21, 2008.

Brigham Young University may have the most paperwork than any other place, though that is only to provide a safe place for sponsors and for performers alike. Usually each piece of paperwork is no more than a page. Sometimes receiving the proper signatures is the challenge.

I met with Naomi Davidson (see upper left picture), current BYU Storytelling Club president, so to discuss if the club could sponsor the "Family Famine: Hunger for Love" narrative production. She was fully supportive, and I thought how wonderful it was for a club that I founded to still be around when I could use it's help at this time. Things seemed to fall in place.

Then, with all the forms to be completed and rules to check, I jokingly wondered if at any moment Naomi would shout, "Stop! This is not worth it!"

From talking with the Associate Dean of Students to the Student Leadership Club Coordinator, Naomi and I discovered that paperwork would be needed for the following:

• Official BYUSA club sponsorship of the Event
• Scheduling the Varsity Theatre
  
• Fundraising Exception outside Care Week (March 2-7 for clubs)
  
• Monday Night (during 7:00pm-9:00pm due to Family Home Evening)

The fundraising exception form was considered only because I thought the performance could connect with the Storytelling Heroes Campaign. This is a new tradition by the National Storytelling Network for 100 benefit concerts per year around the country to raise at least $250 each so as to further the art. The Associate Dean of Students believed that it would make sense for the BYU Storytelling Club to want to raise money for a nonprofit national storytelling organization. However, the final say would be from the Club Coordinator.

Usually BYUSA clubs are reserved one Care Week per semester to raise money, services, or goods for causes. My February 9th premiere date was about a month before the actual Care Week of March 2-7, 2009.

Yet, it was the exception form to perform on Monday night that was "the impossible". Besides all-day Sunday, Monday night from 7:00pm to 9:00pm is considered sacred because it is connected to the Family Home Evening (FHE) time.

You may ask, "Why would that be a concern as students are away from their families?" The answer: students are placed into Family Home Evening groups with a student as "mother" and another student as "father". It is amusing when the "parents" and the 10-15 "children" are about the same ages. Someone teaches a spiritual lesson merged with an activity and finally followed by refreshments. Food is of utmost importance to these gatherings.

To have FHE more convenient, you cannot schedule from 7:00pm-9:00pm anywhere on campus. The exception is if one of the BYU bishops from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints calls the Campus Scheduling Office to make the arrangements. So for my "Family Famine: Hunger for Love" program, I thought perhaps Naomi or other BYU Storytelling Club members could approach their FHE groups and see if it could be a grand scale FHE activity also open to the public. This would boost attendance and help in regards to the professional filming of the event.

After the filming and with food being one of the themes in "Family Famine: Hunger for Love", then it made sense to have light refreshments after the performance. Besides the four official forms aforementioned, I would need to check if only food from BYU Catering would be allowed due to health rules or if I could have friends bring in desserts in potluck style. Most elementary, middle, and high schools are not allowed to have homemade treats because they need to be made and wrapped in sanitary ways. I am unsure if this standard stretches to universities.

With the attempt to keep all these forms and exceptions straight, I then received an unexpected answer from the BYU Storytelling Club faculty advisers. They did not think the BYU campus was the best venue for the ambitions and dreams I had for the event. Plus, they did not want to disrupt the Monday FHE time. Their signatures would be need alongside Naomi's and though I was disappointed, I began to think that perhaps they were right--at least about the BYU campus being the best venue.

If it was a FHE activity at the Varsity Theatre, then there could not be any exchange of money for tickets, donations, or selling of merchandise. I had hoped for this option to cover my costs in putting on the event.

Yet, Monday night was the aim as national storyteller Elizabeth Ellis would be in the area for the Timpanogos Storytelling Conference. She is one of my East Tennessee State University Storytelling Masters professors who challenged us students to create "My Finest Hour" project. The "Family Famine: Hunger for Love" narrative production happened to be my project.

Elizabeth Ellis promised to attend and to be my emcee.

Despite all the research to make it possible for the BYU Storytelling Club to sponsor me, I will now determine what other options are available to meet the majority of my ideals.

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

Trek (4 of 7): Theatre & Visual Art as Story Cousins

I have never been in a play nor have I had any pieces showcased at a gallery.




This is four of seven posts relating to my info-gathering trek to BYU on October 21, 2008.

Regardless of how involved I am in Theatre and Media Arts or Visual Arts, these two fields are still my cousins and comrades in storytelling.

The Theatre and Media Arts (TMA) department often hosts a storytelling course, as is the case at Brigham Young University. Currently a new instructor, Teresa Love, teaches storytelling at BYU whom I am anxious to meet as her name is unfamiliar amongst the Utah Storytelling Guild circle.

I learned from the Dean of the TMA Department that the course tends to be offered almost every Fall and Winter semester, which meant one would be available during Winter Semester 2009. The inside of me cheered as my "Family Famine: Hunger for Love" narrative production occurs during Winter Semester on February 9, 2009.

The previous storytelling instructor, Karla Huntsman, moved to Nevada. She gave credit for those who participated in the BYU Storytelling Club. I hope Teresa Love shares the same inclinations and extends credit to her students in attending my premiere.

Unfortunately, the new instructor does not have an office at BYU despite also teaching TMA 352 "Theatre in Elementary School Classroom". I would have to wait to introduce myself. At least the Dean gave me her email.

The Dean then offered announcing my premiere in the TMAccess, a two-sided weekly newsletter for their students.

TMAccess included the following categories:

• Department Notices
• Department Calendar
• Opportunities & Workshops (largest section)
  
• Scholarships & Grants
• Internships
• Festivals, Conferences & Contests
• Services & Commercial Information
• Auditions
• Events in the Area

Until I create a blurb, I am uncertain which category would be best for my premiere. You may think "Of course 'Events in the Area' would make the most sense."

Yet, there could be requests for artistic support such as:

• Filmmaker who wants to build their portfolio
  
• Actor who may want to do a short tandem piece in the premiere
• Technician or Lights person who may guide in staging
  

These requests may fall under "Opportunities & Workshops" or "Festivals, Conferences & Contests" or "Auditions".

Once I learned about TMAccess, I wondered if the Visual Arts Department may have a similar newsletter or way to call-out to students.

So I walked a few doors over, and entered the Visual Arts Office. I learned that they post items on "Y Bulletin Boards". Requests can be placed on a piece of paper no larger than 8 1/2" by 11". The paper is hung for a two week period. Usually postings are made every Friday. If you want to have a request up for longer than two weeks, then you need to submit a new paper before the two weeks is up of the initial posting. I met the lady who reviews the requests and received her email.

I could announce the need for students' artwork to:

• Assist in advertising of event through fliers, posters, etc.
• Feature in the published book "Family Famine: Hunger for Love"
  
• Display as part of a gallery before people sit down for the performance

All of the above could only be done with permission from the artists.

Any help from the cousin arts to storytelling is always appreciated.

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

Trek (3 of 7): Finding Filmmakers for Storytelling

The most beautiful storytelling DVD is "The Call of Story" created by KBYU/BYU Broadcasting and PBS.

This is three of seven posts relating to my info-gathering trek to BYU on October 21, 2008.

Since KBYU's home is in the Harris Fine Arts Center at Brigham Young University, I headed to the office to find out who was still around from that 2002 project (though copyright would suggest 2005).

I did have a name given to me from the 2008 Timpanogos Storytelling Festival. The young man behind the desk scrunched his face at the mention of the name for it was unfamiliar.

The man said, "Perhaps you were given the wrong spelling." He thumbed through the massive Rolodex of all the employees, staff, producers, and directors. No results. He even called the head director of KBYU and the name did not ring a bell even at that point.

Rather than sticking to the name I was given, the young man at the desk suggested we look at the credits for "The Call of Story".

I felt like I had to bang my head with my hand at that point. "Of course," I told myself, "Why didn't I think of that?"

Before heading to this info-gathering trek at BYU, I did peruse "The Call of Story" website. With all the research, I did not look at the credits. I had too much confidence in the name I was given at the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival.

Though the young man did not have a copy of the DVD on hand, he did search for the credits online and found them.

At that point, I was told to get in touch with the Executive Directors: Thomas J. Lefler and Sterling Van Wagenen.

This was not the first time I heard the name "Thomas J. Lefler". Other professors I had met during my trek had said he was a Theatre and Media Arts professor and may be interested in my project. No one had mentioned his connection--a major connection at that--to "The Call of Story".

The young man at the desk gave me Lefler's office and contact information. I crossed my fingers, hoping that an unannounced visit would be successful and welcomed by Lefler.

I found his door and I knocked. No answer. Perhaps he was not in his office after all. Yet, something told me to linger in the hallways a bit. I walked down towards the bulletin board with the "Call to Actors, Producers, etc." I never majored in Theatre so I was curious. After ruffling through a few announcements hung on binder-type rings, I returned to Lefler's office.

This time someone answered.

My muscles were more tense than usual as someone earlier had told me how intimidating Lefler was because of how direct he was in his speech. After a deep breath, I entered.

I outstretched my now sweating hand. "Hello. I am Rachel Hedman, professional storyteller, and I would like to talk about "The Call to Story" project you did and how it may relate to my project."

After the introduction, I felt at ease. He was not the intimidating man that I imagined though he was kind to share information I needed to know. He told me he did not do those type of filming project anymore, but he did give me names and direct lines to the partners of Kaleidoscope Pictures.

One of Kaleidoscope's projects included filming national storyteller Donald Davis in spring 2009 on how families tell stories. Most of the shots would take place at Davis' home on Ocracoke Island, North Carolina.

Eventually, I learned that Lefler was first cousins to national storyteller Elizabeth Ellis. My jaw dropped as I told him that Ellis was also my professor at East Tennessee State University for my Storytelling Masters and that my "Family Famine: Hunger for Love" project came to life because of the assignment she put forth for us students.

At that point there was no fear whatsoever of the man as he proceeded to go online and show the place in Tennessee that he grew up alongside Elizabeth Ellis.

Besides this amazing experience, another professor gave me a name, office address, and email for the producer and director of the LDS Motion Picture Studio. This professor was the Content Director of the "Real Families, Real Answers" reality show.

Between Kaleidoscope Pictures and the LDS Motion Picture Studio, that is where the true intimidation lies. To even consider the possibility of being filmed by either one of them is almost unthinkable.

I have found in this world that it does not hurt to ask.

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

Trek (2 of 7): Meeting Professor of a Like-Mind

When I introduce myself as a professional storyteller, usually I must explain what I mean by "storytelling".

Then you meet rare individuals who know exactly what you are talking about like David C. Dollahite, Brigham Young University professor.

This is two of seven posts relating to my info-gathering trek to BYU on October 21, 2008.

When I scheduled an appointment with Professor Dollahite at 10:00am on October 21, 2008, I already knew that the courses he taught aligned with my "Family Famine: Hunger for Love" narrative production. As my outlook for the program reflects "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" document, he teaches a whole semester course entitled "Strengthening Marriage and Family: Proclamation Principles and Scholarship" based on that very document.

There may have been over 45 BYU Family Life faculty, though his vita stood out.

These are other topics he researches/teaches:

• Religion and family life in Christian, Jewish, and Muslim families
• Latter-day Saint (Mormon) family life
• Fathering and faith in fathers of children with special needs

On top of these pursuits, he received Award of Merit for creating the hymn "As Families in the Latter Days" from the LDS Music and Cultural Arts Committee 2006.

As I knocked on Professor Dollahite's door and he welcomed me inside his office, I had to smile as I could tell in that instant that regardless of how he could assist in my narrative production, here was an all-around good person. He is the kind of guy who inspires ideas simply by being in his presence.

Imagine my surprise when he mentioned he attended the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival and that he even performed at it a couple times!

He was also more generous than expected. He gave me a 377-page copy of "Helping and Healing Our Families" (see above picture) that he edited along with Craig H. Hart, Lloyd D. Newell, and Elaine Walton. Then he made copies of various articles he wrote such as "Forging Family Bonds Through Storytelling" and "Turning the Hearts of the Fathers to the Children: Nurturing the Next Generation" to articles written by other experts like "Tales from Family Therapy, Life-Changing Clinical Experiences" by Frank N. Thomas and Thorana S. Nelson. Finally, he gave copies of both songs he created of "As Families in the Latter Days" and "May Thy Face of Shining Splendor".

The copies, placed in a large manila envelope, was at least an inch thick.

I asked if he or his department could sponsor "Family Famine: Hunger for Love." He said he wish he could and that two years ago that something like this would be promoted in a heartbeat. Unfortunately, there had been some changes in the department that would make it difficult to do such a thing now. I could tell he wished to help me. He did say he planned to attend the performance and could encourage his students to look into it.

I promised to send Professor Dollahite each of my two storytelling DVDs.

I will undoubtedly stay in touch with him.

I know there are many professors out there who would love to connect with storytellers that relates to their focus somehow. It is only a matter of searching.

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

Trek (1 of 7): Club vs. Department Sponsorships

Although I graduated from Brigham Young University in 2001, I am not a current student and this would limit my options in regards to scheduling a venue for the "Family Famine: Hunger for Love" narrative production premiere.

This is one of seven posts relating to my info-gathering trek to BYU on October 21, 2008.

Rather than stopping by at the Campus Scheduling Office unannounced, I set an appointment at 8:30am on October 21, 2008 so I could sit down with the people and not feel rushed in asking questions.

As to be expected, the cost of the rooms vary depending on:

• number of hours needed (with four hours being the base number)
• size of the room
• use of stages, microphones, or risers (up to 5 available)
• sponsorship of BYU department
• sponsorship of BYUSA club

The Campus Scheduling Office could reserve rooms for anywhere on the BYU campus except the Harris Fine Arts Center, the building that houses the College of Fine Arts and Communications. The HFAC was the place I hung out while majoring in Communications Marketing.

If I desired the Gerrit de Jong, Jr. Concert Hall (1,268 seats) or the Franklin and Florence Jepperson Madsen Recital Hall (402 seats) or the T. Earl and Kathryn Pardoe Drama Theatre (509 seats), then the HFAC Scheduling Office rather than the Campus Scheduling Office would be my destination.

Though I have attended many shows in each of the aforementioned popular places in the HFAC building, while at BYU I had to take a peak. I felt my heart pound and my jaw drop as the places looked even more beautiful than I remembered. Something inside me said, "If I can't reserve one of these HFAC places, then I need something of equal prestige."

The only option left would be to book a place off campus.

While in awe of these venues, I still considered the Varsity Theatre at the Wilkinson Student Center. Though not as glamorous as HFAC, the Varsity Theatre still had 396 seats with cushioned red seating and a lovely stage area. It could work.

The prices for Varsity Theatre of minimum 4-hour use:

• $400--commercial
• $200--non-profit
• $160--sponsored by BYU department
• Free--sponsored by BYUSA registered club (such as the BYU Storytelling Club)

I was the president of the BYU Storytelling Club from 1997 to 2001 and the Varsity Theatre was not free during that time for us. Since then, the Wilkinson Student Center is considered the "home" of BYUSA clubs and so there is the benefit of the free use of rooms--any rooms.

I already planned to meet with the current BYU Storytelling Club president, though learning the "free" factor made it more urgent.

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

Preparing for the "Info-Gathering" Trek

Info-gathering is needed before an info-gathering trek.

As Tuesday, October 21st, was set for the time to meet with professors and people over venue scheduling, I needed to make my trek to Brigham Young University as productive as possible.

One bit of information can open the way and often get one closer to other information necessary to reach the goal.

I decided that the College of Family, Home, and Social Sciences--particularly the School of Family Life--would be most important to make connections.

I reviewed the faculty for this area. With 45 professors on the list, I needed to focus on who was more in line with the themes of "Family Famine: Hunger for Love". One Family Life professor taught a whole course on "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" and I scheduled an appointment at 10:00am on Tuesday, October 21st.

I called the two scheduling offices at BYU: Campus scheduling as well as the one specific to the Harris Fine Arts Center. The campus scheduling set an appointment with me at 8:30am on Tuesday, October 21st so I could ask my questions with a person and gather information in regards costs and what my status as a BYU alumni means, if any, in regards to reserving a room.

With all the other departments and colleges to visit, even without set appointments, my time at the BYU campus would fly by.

For those I would meet, I created a one-page info sheet on my project that included: name of my organization, business status, project, project description, artist statement, contact information, and extra facts about me.

I also had these sections:
What I can do for you--

• Present "Family Archetypes in Folklore and What This Means for Families Today" previous to the performance in February
• Reduced rate (or possibly complimentary) for students to attend based on if attendance is part of the syllabus or if it is voluntary and/or level of sponsorship
• Announce sponsorship in press releases and advertising

What you can do for me (Any of following is appreciated, though feel free to add your ideas.)--

• Encourage attendance of "Family Famine: Hunger for Love" with students, possibly adding it on Winter Semester syllabus
• Sponsor part of the narrative production whether as professor, department, or college
• Introduce to professors from BYU as well as other universities who would take interest in the program and/or Family Archetype workshop
• Guide to research that would enhance the narrative production

To each one-page info sheet I paperclipped my business card.

With the info sheets printed, my bag is packed and ready for the morning.

Until we tell again,

Rachel Hedman

Professional Storyteller

Co-Chair of Youth, Educators, and Storytellers Alliance

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