Story-telling Night
Storytelling Night provides community members opportunities to pitch their true stories, develop their storytelling skills with the guidance and support of experienced storytellers, and perform their stories live in downtown Livingston.
call for your
Animal Instincts
Stories!!!
Elk River Arts & Lectures is hosting a live storytelling show on Friday, November 17th to showcase the true-life ANIMAL INSTINCTS stories from our community!
Let’s take a walk on the wild side … or a nice dog walk works, too! We want to hear your encounters and experiences with animals both untamed and unleashed, in the backcountry or in your own backyard, Homeward Bound or Jaws! Tales featuring tails! Share about your best furry friends, exotic creatures or even discovering your own primal nature – these stories will have us all howling at the moon!
To be considered, please submit a brief story outline by October 20th – selected storytellers will perform in front of a friendly audience at The Elks Lodge on November 17th.
If your pitch is chosen, you’ll have 4 weeks to craft and workshop your 7-10-minute story with our team and rehearse before the event. First-time storytellers welcome & encouraged!
Submission Guidelines:
– 200 words max
– Your story must be true and personal to you
– Your story must be related to the theme “Animal Instincts”
– Your story must be a story! (Not a poem, rant, philosophical musing, political stance, stand-up comedy routine, etc.)
– These stories will ideally be told (not read) at the event
Pitches are due October 20th!
Email director@elkriverarts.org with any questions.
About Elk River’s
storytelling night
One of Elk River Arts & Lectures’ newest programs, Storytelling Night features oral tradition. We are thrilled to be reaching new audiences with this program, which invites community members (not just writers) to pitch stories. Those selected work with program leaders to hone their storytelling skills before presenting in front of a supportive audience at the live Storytelling Night – free and open to the public.
Our first-ever event featured six local storytellers and an audience of 90! The fabulous tales and the terrific turnout made it clear that Park County has stories to share and that we want to hear from each other.
We are planning to make Storytelling Night a more regular occurrence. We aim to hold the event during “shoulder season,” a transitional time when locals get outside less and crave community more.
Past events
Fish Out of Water (April 2022)
Featuring: Raymond Ansotegui, Isabelle Carlhian, Carmen Dunn, Bill Grover, and Carl Sheehan
View Fish Out of Water photos here
The Witching Hour (October 2022)
Featuring: Eric Berg, Megan Eubank, E.E. Mason, Anjabella Roseberry, Hannah Roseberry, and Teresa A. Lewis Watts
Shenanigans (April 2023)
Featuring: Jim Barrett, Alecia Jongeward, LX Miller, John Roseberry, and Lee Watson
Testimonials
“Looking out at the audience and seeing how important this communal gathering was for them to be a part of. I felt like I was telling a story to my family even though I didn’t recognize most of the people there! … We are fortunate to be gifted with the opportunity to gather in a positive and supportive space where good will and fun are the key ingredients!”
—Storyteller Jim Barrett
“Community exchange, getting me out to dare to share, support, encouragement and feedback received in the process […] Thank you for a rewarding and empowering experience”
—Storyteller Isabelle Carlhian
“I would do it again in a heartbeat!”
—Storyteller Bill Grover
“So very brilliant and utterly enjoyable.”
—Community member Facebook comment on April 2022 Storytelling Night
“[My favorite part was] all the amazing community members showing up to support each other. And the venue was great!”
—Audience member at April 2023 event
“Seemed like all the speakers thrived and the team was encouraging and for each of us to do our own thing rather than to fit a formula, which I liked a lot.”
—Storyteller LX Miller
I just really enjoyed the entire process. It was a huge challenge for me, and I’m so glad I did it. The one-on-one coaching was extremely helpful to me!”
—Storyteller Megan Eubank
“It is always good to push your comfort zone.”
—Storyteller Eric Berg
“You have found something that is good for Livingston, good for society and good for bringing people together.”
—Audience member Cliff David on October 2022 Storytelling Night