Last year a group of my friends and I began the tradition of watching scary movies together. Now believe me – I am not usually drawn to horror, gore or the supernatural. In fact, I am incredibly squeamish and jumpy. However, I have stepped out of my comfort zone and have become a friend to frightening stories. Terrifying tales can be intriguing and enjoyable, especially around the time of Halloween.
On October 15, my brother and I attended Disquieting, Disturbing and Dreadful Tales on the Canal, presented by Storytelling Arts of Indiana. The audience sat in rows facing the Indiana History Center. Bundled in blankets and jackets against the autumn chill, we sat transfixed as five tellers spooked us with their tales.
On this evening, we discovered how this storytelling event was similar to watching scary movies; yet, it was its own unique experience. Instead of relying primarily on the sequence of suspenseful images and sounds, like a movie, storytelling involves the teller’s words, tone, pace and your imagination to create suspense. It engages the entire listener: your ears, eyes, emotions and mind. There were definitely moments when I held my breath, waiting to hear what would happen next. Atmosphere also plays a role in the experience – the darkened evening, whooshing sounds of passing vehicles, echoed voices along the canal and the blue and orange lights on the tellers’ faces added to the mood.
The first teller was the winner of the scary stories contest, and the next four were the featured performers Deborah Asante, Lou Ann Homan, Jim May and Sally Perkins. I liked how the program included several professional storytellers – a refreshing change from the single performer shows and Jabberwocky events I attended in the past. I also enjoyed how the selections were a nice mix of familiar stories, like Edgar Alan Poe’s works, and ones I have not heard before. My favorite stories of the evening were Lou Ann’s telling of “Mr. Fox,” a British tale, and Sally Perkins’ telling of “The Ring.” Both ladies spoke so skillfully that I, and probably the rest of the audience, hung on to every word.
This was my brother’s first storytelling event, and he said he really enjoyed the creative, enriching feel of the evening. This was not my first event, and it definitely will not be the last – I liked experiencing this horror genre in this way. You don’t need disgusting images to be scared – if you let the suspense of a well-told story carry you, you can get a thrill your imagination and heart have never felt before.
kuwento 