We all likely know someone who is a good storyteller. They can spin a tale that keeps you spellbound and you can’t help but be pulled in to another place or time. Regina Carpenter and Jim May will present an evening of storytelling at Southeast Missouri State University's River Campus on Friday, May 17.
Chuck Martin, Executive Director of the Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau, describes storytelling using the words of master storyteller Donald Davis. He said, "I'm an oral filmmaker. In telling stories, I'm taking the pictures that I see in my mind and moving them to your mind. I'll use anything I have to move those pictures -- my body, my voice, my attitude, my emotion, you. I'll use whatever it takes because with storytelling, success is ultimately not did I say it -- success is did you see it."
Stacy Dohogne Lane is the Director of Public Relations with the Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau. She said the two storytellers each have their own style of storytelling. Regina Carpenter is from upstate New York and she visited Cape Girardeau for a ghost storytelling event held in 2012. Her stories are warm and magnetic with lessons about life that everyone can relate to. Jim May is from upper Illinois and he tells stories in the tradition of Mark Twain and Will Rogers.
There are more storytelling events scheduled in the near future. Lane said, "We've been working really hard to put together a varied format for everyone." On Friday, September 6, Michael Reno Harrell and the Reverend Robert Jones will present good ‘ol “Appalachian grit and wit” meets gutsy Detroit folk and blues for an evening of spirited storytelling told with American roots music.
January 17, 2014 will bring "The Uncalled for Trio" featuring Bil Lepp, Kim Weitkamp, and Andy Offutt Irwin. These fan favorites will be back in Cape Girardeau in a showcase featuring three of the country’s most talented storytellers telling together on the same stage.
"An Evening of Storytelling" takes place on May 17 at 7:00 p.m. in the Bedell Performance Hall at Southeast Missouri State University's River Campus. Tickets are $12 for adults and $5 for children 14 and under and are available at the River Campus Box Office at (573) 651-2265 or RiverCampusEvents.com
