Postcards & Letters: Temptation to Give to Everyone

I have several phases of sending out Family Famine: Hunger for Love postcards as every month --and lately every day--I have more contacts.

As I have only so many postcards, then I must decide who would be my strongest candidates for supporting my venture.

If my budget would support it, I would love to give a postcard to everyone in the world.

Then that would be throwing my Communications Marketing education at Brigham Young University in the garbage can.

Today my focus was on the Local Art Councils in Utah as well as the members of the Utah Storytelling Guild.

Though the Local Art Councils received individualized signed postcards, I wrote a letter for each of the USG members. And signed, of course.

I added a postcard within the letter.

I encouraged each USG member to share the postcard with a neighbor, friend, or acquaintance.

I am grateful for everyone's help to spread the word about the premiere.

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

Joanna Huffaker: My 3rd Story Buddy Found

This was a reunion picture of Joanna Huffaker and I while at the October 2008 meeting for the Utah Storytelling Guild Olympus chapter. After eight years since the BYU Storytelling Club, Joanna could still recognize me despite the costume.

Since there are three stories, I wanted three story buddies that I would meet at least on a weekly basis.

Until my opening story was found, you could say that I "reserved" for Joanna Huffaker to be my buddy.

I was thrilled when I learned she moved from the Idaho back to the Utah area. My joy was even more full when she came to the Salt Lake City area and attends the same chapter guild meeting for the Utah Storytelling Guild.

When I founded the Brigham Young University Storytelling Club in 1997, she was my Vice President for a couple years until she graduated.

Here are memories of my "first encounter" with Joanna:

At BYU we have an area known as "The Gauntlet". It is probably one of the most dangerous areas of BYU. The Gauntlet is about 150 feet in length. On one side are all the booths. The other side has a railing. The trick is to try to get through the Gauntlet without getting any fliers--at least as few as possible. A lucky day meant I only got 3 fliers instead of 50.

Since the only way across campus was through the Gauntlet, I got a lot of practice dodging people with fliers. It became an art. Of course, it helped that in high school I was on the Cross Country team--not that I sprinted across. I had an assistant coach who had the team cool down by speed walking. We had speed walking races back to the school. I was known as the Queen of Speed Walking.

But then my view of the Gauntlet changed when I realized I needed to become part of the Gauntlet. I had to tell everyone about the new storytelling club, which meant I had to have a booth. . .with fliers.

I had written the club charter and I had found advisers. Now it was time to recruit members.

I got the signs ready for the booth with all the information necessary. I armed myself with duct tape and signs and set-up the booth. I positioned myself in front of the booth--ready to talk to anyone who came within 30 feet of me. I chased after people the whole day. My legs and mouth were especially sore, but I didn't care. I had a whole week of booths.

Then one day, when I was a few inches from the booth, I heard "Thud!"

I looked to see where the sound had come from. A girl with long brown hair had dropped her backpack. Some of the contents spilled out, but she didn't seem to care. She furiously scribbled on a piece of paper.

I slowly approached her.

"Would you like to know about the Storytelling Club?" I asked.

The girl stopped her scribbling and looked at me. "That's what I'm writing down."

I introduced myself. "Hi, I am Rachel Parkinson and . . ."

"Oh! You're the one I'm supposed to contact for more info! Oh, wow! I'm Joanna Huffaker!"

At that moment, I knew Joanna was going to be a strong member. She came to the meetings with enthusiasm.

So now you know what I will look forward to her being my story buddy for the Irish story "The Changeling".

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

Word Wrestling: Narrative Production vs. Storytelling

I labeled "Family Famine: Hunger for Love" as a "narrative production" since August 2008 and it seemed like a hands-down win.

Then today Elizabeth Ellis, national storyteller and one of my Storytelling Masters professors at East Tennessee State University, asked, "Why?" in an email.

I called her in order to have help in this wrestle with words. None of my other storytelling friends had asked, "Why?"

Ellis was genuinely interested as to my reasons for "narrative production".

I found it hard to respond as she asked me questions so I could come up with my own answer.

Yet, this was the time to answer it because I was about to order postcards and posters. The wording could be changed, if necessary. "Narrative production" was used throughout the Internet, but the Internet could be easily edited for whatever term I chose to use.

Ellis continued, "I find it strange that so many people use the term 'storytelling' when those who call themselves 'storyteller' are afraid to use it." She felt not enough of us "raise the banner" in using the word "storytelling".

She was right. Filmmakers, authors, musicians, speakers, and many other performing artists use the word "storytelling" freely.

Guilt. More guilt.

Anyone who knows me is aware that I am a storytelling advocate. Of my "Voice--A Storyteller's Lifestyle" blog, Tim Ereneta proclaimed, "It's clear from her regular and varied postings that she is passionate not only about storytelling but about the storytelling movement."

Then my college education came to mind.

Since I studied Communications Marketing at Brigham Young University, I knew that if a certain word or phrase evoked images or formed connotations that did not match my message, then it was best to use another word or phrase that did meet my goal.

Usually when "storytelling" is mentioned, people think about an old lady reading a story to preschoolers.

I am not an old lady. . .yet. (I am only 29.)

I do not read when on stage. I read books for research.

This program has a minimum age of 8 yet geared to 12-year-olds+ due to the themes of child abuse, abandonment, and adoption. Hmmm.

Then I looked at what I currently labeled the event: a world premiere narrative production to be recorded live.

I wanted a more sophisticated sound, but did I go too far?

I called David Novak, another national storyteller and professor at ETSU.

He seemed to think that I could be more creative in how I expressed the program. He thought I might even invent a new word or phrase that could become my trademark.

I was glad for his confidence in me, though now I felt the pressure to be a genius.

He agreed that to reach teenagers and college students, perhaps a different label was needed than "storytelling".

As I brainstormed other phrases, I went on Facebook and instant messaged people who were online for opinions.

A lot of my cousins were online including Greg Wallendal. He directs plays at a high school and was more aware of the terms that may fit with what I had in mind.

Greg granted permission to share part of our conversation--

Rachel: I wanted advice on wording. . ."narrative production" versus "storytelling" or "story"-something.

Greg: Hmmm.

Rachel: It's geared for 12-year-olds and older. No one under 8 is admitted.

Greg: Give me the full sentence as it stands right now.

Rachel: World premiere narrative production to be recorded live

Greg: Are you moving around for your story telling or are you standing behind a podium?

Rachel: No podium. Never podium for storytelling. I have a guest guitarist and a guest singer. Storytelling is the main stage art.

Greg: Are you moving around creating different characters with body language, gesture, voice, etc.?

Rachel: Other arts blend with the storytelling. Telling in 3rd person though with dialogue with characters. I am all of them.

Greg: I'm leaning heavily toward "storytelling production". Do you have fancy lighting or special visuals going on with this, or anything? A set?

Rachel: I told another storytelling professor "storytelling production", and he thought I could be more clever. That's pressure! I do have technicians and I had planned on minor lighting like making it more blue when the boy is starving in the middle of winter for the Ojibwa tale. No sets though. Lights will be up on the audience slightly so there can be a little interaction.

Greg: Maybe add some tease to the title. Kind of a "Don't miss this event" tone to it.

Several ideas were tossed around, but what meant the most was when Greg said, "I'm here for you."

Eventually I thought of "a world premiere storytelling feast for the senses".

Besides positive feedback to my new phrase, I kept the following in mind for my decision:

• BYU Storytelling Club has been active since 1998
• Storytelling was held every Monday night at the BYU Museum of Art for over 8 years
• Timpanogos Storytelling Conference was co-hosted by Theatre and Media Arts Department on campus as part of the Theatre and Community Stories Initiative 2007-2008
• Proximity to Timpanogos Storytelling Festival in Orem, UT that can reach attendance of 20,000 to 28,000 people--about 10 minute drive from Provo, which is the location of my premiere
• Performing Arts Concert Series at BYU had a professional storyteller that sold out
• KBYU combined efforts with PBS to create a TV special/DVD of "The Call of Story"

Other areas of the nation may not be as familiar with "storytelling" and what it all entails, but, for Utah, it was a word worth keeping.

Though the winners vary depending on the event and the intended audience, in this word wrestling round "storytelling" won.

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

Venue Contract: "So let it be written, so let it be done"

Having word that I could have the Grand Theater of the Covey Center for the Arts was a glorious moment.

Joyous sounds left my mouth when I heard that the BYU International Folk Dance Ensemble and the Covey Center for the Arts would allow me to have my performance at 8:00pm on Monday, February 9th. (see previous entry for details)

When thoughts are placed onto paper, it had the finality of "So let it be written, so let it be done" as pronounced by the Pharaoh on "The Ten Commandments" movie.

I was amused that the service agreement that I send to those who hire me is only one page while this contract from the Covey Center for the Arts was five pages long. Despite the length of the contract, I gladly read every word.

Here are some details that may be of interest--

Deposit:

• $200 deposit. Deposit is applied to Base Rental Fee and is due at signing of contract. No date is confirmed without deposit.

Payments:

• Base Rental Fee (school project rate due to part of Storytelling Masters program, based on scheduled time-charge will be based on actual use)-$500
• Performance Day Cleaning Fee-$50
• Reimbursables (estimate includes use of technicians, ushers, etc.)-$205
• TULIP (at least $1,000,000 liability insurance coverage for event)-$125

Estimated Total Costs-$880

Other Sections of the Contract:

• General information (name, address, telephone, program title)
• Stage Requirements
• Stage Personnel
• Equipment Use
• Piano Tuning, if applicable
• Alcoholic Beverages and Smoking
• Royalties, Copyrights and Licenses
• Unsafe Practices
• Cancellations
• Insurance
• Ticket Requirements and Ticket Office
• Program Requirements
• Displays and Tables
• Sponsorships
• Publicity
• Custodians
• Merchandise
• Concessions
• House Manager/Security
• Ushers
• Parking
• Professional Recording
• Audience Recording
• Settlement
• Legal
• Signatures of Renter (me) and Covey Center for the Arts General Manager
  

Forms beyond Contract:

• Technical Questionnaire (two pages)--determine staging, sound, and lighting
• Marketing & Ticket Office Questionnaire (two pages)--target the audience desired such as minimum age admitted, recommended age, ticket prices, discounts if any, merchandise to be sold, etc.
• Provo City New Vendor Data Form (one page)--sell merchandise as well as pre-ordering DVD copies of "Family Famine: Hunger for Love" in the area
  
• W-9 (one page)--receive sales from tickets and merchandise

Though my deposit and contract as well as the other forms were mailed, it is not until the contract is signed by the Covey Center for the Arts when it is official. Even so, the prospect of having the Grand Theater in my mind is sealed.

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

Covey Center for the Arts: Could I really get it?

After the Covey Center for the Arts virtual tour, I fell in love with it.

It matched the dreams I have had for the premiere since the ideas formed in my head in 2005. The ambiance was perfect.

The big question: could I really get it?

From there I wondered--

• Will it be available on February 9, 2009?
• Could I afford it?
• Would my husband support the potential cost of it?

The Covey Center for the Arts is owned by Provo City and many organizations and performing artists reserve the spaces usually a year in advance. With about three months before my "Family Famine: Hunger for Love" premiere, it is a wonder if any dates would be available let alone the February 9th that I desire.

When I asked Jenni McCall, Scheduling and Events Manager, about February 9th, she said that though there was not a performance on that Monday night, the stage was reserved until 7:00pm by the BYU International Folk Dance Ensemble.

I sighed. I had already called the SCERA Shell, another venue I considered, and February 9th was taken. Now with the Covey Center for the Arts out of the picture, I could not think of any other place that had the seat capacity or the ambiance that I wanted.

But wait!

I asked Jenni if it was possible to still have the Covey Center for the Arts as long as my premiere did not start until 8:00pm. Could I still be allowed to come early and set up displays in the lobby and hallways? Would the BYU International Folk Dance Ensemble be open to my presence? How would the General Manager of the Covey Center for the Arts feel?

When I explained that the timing of this premiere was based around the time of the Timpanogos Storytelling Conference and that my professor Elizabeth Ellis would be in the state, I sensed positive vibes on the other side of the telephone from Jenni.

"I will check for you," she said.

That was what I wanted to hear. I have grown up with the mentality that it does not hurt to ask.

Due to needing to talk with the General Manager as well as the person over the BYU International Folk Dance Ensemble, Jenni predicted that she should know the answer by Wednesday, November 12th. If I had not heard from her by that time, then I was to call her the next day.

November 12th seemed forever away, yet it gave time for me to call friends and ask for prayers. Perhaps this seems like a strange thing to pray for when there is so much to pray for in the world. Though, if the Lord saw it fit to amuse and to tickle me pink, then maybe this was not such a terrible request.

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 (7 of 7): Which Title Inspires You?

If ever you want to expand your mind, then there is someone you must talk with: Dr. Marsha D. Broadway.

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

When I wrote my Honors Thesis "Transformation of the Storyteller's Identity and Role Through the American Storytelling Movement", Marsha was my thesis adviser. As one of the founders of the Utah Storytelling Guild, she had inside knowledge of the storytelling community as well as intense English and grammar skills. To this day, she is the Head Juvenile Literature Librarian in the Harold B. Lee Library at Brigham Young University (see above picture).

I could not have had a better adviser.

While on the BYU campus, I was anxious to hear any questions she would ask about the project. Any question would be her way to open my mind rather than purely out of curiosity.

Marsha read my title and description and wondered, "Why did you call it 'Family Famine: Hunger for Love' rather than 'Family Feast: A Hunger for Love'"?

Her point was that the "famine" choice had a more negative or pessimistic view.

I could not answer for a while. I always thought of myself as an optimist. When I had asked friends and family to vote for a title in 2005, "Family Feast" was not even an option. Yet, the word "feast" was a word used within the description.

When I met with Elizabeth Ellis, one of my East Tennessee State University professors, to discuss "My Finest Hour" project, I shared the title "Family Famine: Hunger for Love". Her immediate reaction was "oooooooooo." If ever I had questions or doubts regarding the title, they vanished after that response.

Yet, here I was with Marsha and questions poured into me.

She did not mean to ask the question with the attitude of "Why would you ever. . .". She sincerely asked "Why?"

Finally, I created lists of the "why" for "Family Famine" and for "Family Feast".

Reasons to use "Family Famine: Hunger for Love":

• Program would eventually delve into the dark side of family life such as abuse and abandonment (though would begin and end with the light side)
• Goal to have 12-year-olds+ in attendance and "too happy" of a title could confuse others to think it was a family show for all ages
• Center story "Forsaken Brother" has a moment when famine/hunger is experienced
• Blog and Facebook support group are entitled "Family Famine: Hunger for Love"
  

Reasons to use "Family Feast: A Hunger for Love":

• Program does begin and end with the light side of family relationships
• College students may feel more inclined when there sounds like the possibility of food at an event (and they are one of the main target audiences)
• Light refreshment will be served afterward to reflect the theme
• Focus on end result from performance versus "famine" mood in center of program
• Survey with friends so far has this title in the lead for "which program would you be more likely to attend?"
  

If nothing else, the "Family Famine: Hunger for Love" could be perfect for a book title. For something deeper and darker, a person could always set the book down and come back to it when ready. Thus, a more "negative" title tends to work better for books. However, a live performance does not necessarily give that option.

Most of my programs tend to have the first word be the most important word. In this case, it is "family".

There is also the possibility that both "Family Famine" and "Family Feast" could be used interchangeably and advertising could reflect opposite images to the words. For example, the flies and posters for "Family Famine" would show plenty of food while the "Family Feast" would reflect the lack of food.

Please share which one of these titles you would be more inclined to attend?--

• "Family Famine: Hunger for Love"
• "Family Feast: A Hunger for Love"
• "Feast or Famine: Hunger for Love"
• "Family Feast or Famine: A Hunger for Love"

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 (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

Trek for "This is the Right Place" Venue

I have yet to announce an official venue for the "Family Famine: Hunger for Love" narrative production premiere on February 9, 2009.



One thing is certain--I will perform at Brigham Young University.

Now I have set an additional date. My trek to the BYU campus will be on Tuesday, October 21st. I will already be in the area as some storytelling friends, Wendy Gourley and Nannette Watts, are performing in combination with the Utah Valley University Contemporary Dance team in Orem, UT (neighboring city to Provo).

While at BYU, I do not expect to have a place reserved though I do hope to meet the people over scheduling. Depending on the costs to reserve the place, I may need to secure sponsors.

While on campus, I will also attempt to meet with:
1. Family Science professors
2. Folklore professors, including the two who have been advisers for the BYU Storytelling Club since I jumpstarted it in 1998
3. Humanities professors
4. Education professors
5. Art professors
6. Theatre Media professors
7. Current BYU Storytelling Club President

I will likely have a follow-up day to return to the BYU campus for the professors I cannot see on Tuesday.

Though I am a proponent for the use of technology for networking, I still place the most value in meeting people face-to-face. Once I have met someone, then I feel more comfortable communicating through mail, telephone, and email.

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

When in Pursuit of a Logo: Paths to Take

As Cohezion Communications created phenomenal work from my logo to the Utah Storytelling Guild to StoryFest, then they would also help in putting my logo for the "Family Famine: Hunger for Love" narrative production (see image from my business card).

I asked for the logo to merge some elements of my own logo so that someone could look at the artwork and say, "This must be connected with Rachel Hedman."

Originally, I thought some Communications students from Brigham Young University could develop the logo, but it seems that this is not possible for this particular project. By going through a company, the starting cost is usually $500 whereas there is little to no cost when able to partner with a college class.

For quality I am willing to spend money to get it, though I am also aware that college students are taught the latest in software and techniques so the outcomes can be just as amazing.

Any program that I create should have a separate logo, though this narrative production will be the first to put my "rule" to action.

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