August 24, 2009: Algerian Story!

Tonight was my first meeting with the Patchwork Storytellers. I became interested in storytelling as part of my own work with our family stories. However, I have only done limited storytelling as a performance.

In preparation for a local event in November, they announced auditions. The first evening of auditions was tonight, so I signed up. I wanted to tell my story of November 8, 1942 when the American military landed in Oran.

I had already published it in my book, Stories We Can't Forget, but I felt it needed more of an introduction. I asked Jean-Marc lots of questions about Oran. With his answers, I was able to write an introduction to make the town at that time come to life.

Deep down I knew that I needed to memorize the story in order to present it without reading from a script, but this was just impossible in the short time after the wedding when my brain was overflowing. At the last minute, my friend Deborah, a theater professional, suggested I use a music stand, and even offered to lend me one. This gave me a feeling of comfort, so I was able to complete the preparations for the audition with an easy mind.

Tonight was the audition at the East Falls Library. I had just time after a busy day to have a light dinner and collect all my things. I was afraid the traffic would be very bad, but happily I arrived just in time.

The people of Patchwork are very friendly, and were glad to meet me. I gave my story first. Then I gave it again after one of the key members arrived a bit late. I felt I did it with the spirit I was seeking. Afterwards, they made suggestions of ways I could clarify it for an audience that is not familiar with the historical or geographic context. And, of course, I do have to do it without a script if I want to be in the November event.

So here is the creative reflection. I feel compelled to share this story with others. It needs to be told as a performance, and I did it convincingly. But I have to see if I can get it all in my head --without the script-- by the evening of the next set of auditions, Sept. 16. I think that I will first do the revisions to the story, then see what kind of "study guide" I can make for myself to help remember it. Perhaps now that I have met the people and seen how others tell their stories, I will have more mental space in which to work. On the face of it, it seems like a thing worth trying, even if it is hard. The reward would be so wonderful!

So at some point before Sept. 16 I will know which route I am taking. It remains to be seen!