Day 1

We discussed various interests some of you bring to this course. Notably,
Ash: folk storytelling, education.
Aleena (sp?): Audio books and literature. Questions of how changing formats influence content.
Chip: Education.
Caitlyn (sp?): Storytelling history in diverse cultures. We also discussed touching on narrative as a cognitive tool.

My rambling introduction of myself and our thesis condensed:
BFA: Directing, 1976, MFA: Acting, 1986.
A generation of theatre artists moved into storytelling even as some were moving into other forms of solo performance such as monolgue, performance art, and (for want of a better term) the one-actor-show.
We can trace a generational arc from the early solo actor works, biographically based, such as Mark Twain Tonight, Belle of Amherst, and Give Em Hell Harry, to other efforts of actors to reclaim the theatre for their own.
Mime era leads into popular arts of clowning, juggling, and circus, leading into "new vaudeville" which leads into spoken word.

We also discussed comedians as storytellers
Here is a youtube of one of the stories Bill Cosby told early in his career which had a big influence on me: Cosby tells about Go Karts
Compare this with Jerry Seinfeld's remarks while on Fresh Air: "The trouble with it is, you have this story — which is such a nuisance," Seinfeld says. "You know, in stand-up you just tell the funny part. But in a movie, the audience demands that you tell them some sort of story that makes sense. And this is a tremendous handicap for me." Hear the entire interview here.
Sienfeld interview with Dave Davies.
Admittedly, he is being funny. He does say that "when the story works, the jokes get better."

Some authors referenced in class today:

Kieran Egan "Teaching As Storytelling"
Roger Schank "Tell Me A Story: a new look at memory."


Assignment:
This week pick a day in your life and tally the styories you encounter. Identify where, when, and how you come across stories. Make some kind of a record or list and post it on this blog.