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 The
art of storytelling, though one of the oldest art forms in
the world and perhaps the best art form to engage people
deeply in any concept or idea, has fallen on hard times.
With simple global communication and a multitude of
entertainment options people don’t have to tell stories for
themselves or their families or friends anymore – the
television can do it for them. One Indiana arts organization
is looking to change that; to help people recapture the
magic of telling stories and listening to stories being
told.
Storytelling Arts of Indiana believes that telling
stories and listening to them helps us to heal, to grow, and
to think.
Storytelling Arts of Indiana was begun
in 1987 under the name of Stories, Inc. The name was changed
in 2001. Storytelling Arts of Indiana presents performances,
classes, workshops, an annual festival, and resources for
storytellers, teachers, parents, families, and health care
workers.
Monthly performances in their
Storytelling Series are held at the Indiana History Center
in the Basile Theatre. These performances bring folklorists
and storytellers from around the country to Indianapolis to
tell their tales. Some performers have included Bil Lepp,
the five-time champion of the West Virginia Liars Contest,
and Eth-Noh-Tec, a duo who use music, dance, and rhythmic
dialogue to enhance the Asian wisdom tales they tell.
Storytelling Arts of Indiana also has
additional performances to celebrate very special
storytellers, or to include material for children. Their
family programs are held at various sites throughout the
city, often in libraries. They have another series called
Sharing Hoosier History through Stories, which uses the art
of storytelling to keep alive some of the unique past of
Indiana. They also hold a yearly summer festival, with
dozens of performances and a storytelling contest for teens.
 An
additional aspect of Storytelling Arts of Indiana is their
volunteer efforts. A large part of their volunteer force is
dedicated to visiting children in local children’s hospitals
and providing storytelling. Another dedicated group of
volunteers teaches older Hoosiers how to develop their own
family stories, and keeps a library of stories told. They
have started a storytelling guild for older Hoosiers, and
have provided venues for their participants to share their
stories.
As with most arts organizations in
central Indiana, Storytelling Arts of Indiana also offers
classes and workshops, and they collaborate often with other
arts organizations, like
Asante Children’s
Theatre. They offer free lesson plans to teachers on
their website, and they have won The Service Award from the
National Storytelling Network in 1998 and the 2004 NUVO
Cultural Vision Award.
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