I have been preparing for the National Storytelling Conference in Denver, and I received an e-mail from a woman who has been telling all year at her local schools and events, and even giving workshops at other storytelling conferences. And, yet, she expressed anxiety about telling in front of other storytellers at our many swap sessions. Her concerns led me to write this article.
Even though you have been successfully sharing stories with friends and family for years, and even though you have already told stories at your child's school and the local library, you may still experience a jolt of fear when asked to tell stories to a group of adults or in a completely new situation. In this article, I will suggest ways to cope with the fear and anxiety that often accompany storytelling to a new and possibly intimidating group.
You Are the Storyteller! You have been asked to give a performance because you have stories that others want to hear. Remember, you are the teller of tales - you are using the magic of the power of the story. Everyone loves a story and as long as you deliver a good story, it will work with you. Feel good about yourself. This will start you on your journey to confidence as a storyteller for all seasons.
The Audience Cares! Most of the people in your audience want you to succeed. If you are overly nervous and anxious, they will become nervous and anxious for you. It has been estimated that 50 percent of the audience will like you, no matter what you do; 25 percent will find something to not like about you, no matter how effectively you present; and 25 percent are "up for grabs." To make even more of the audience members become allies, get to the performance early and greet them as they come into the room. Or, if there is a chance to network before the performance, take this opportunity to make some friends. And, if you happen to be telling to storytellers, they will all like you and work with you to make your stories sing!
Be Prepared! At the risk of being repetitious, I can't stress enough the value of preparation. The more prepared we are as storytellers, the more confident we become. Pick a story and/or stories you love so much, you can barely wait to tell them. It might help, also, to list the names of the stories and alternate choices and a 3X5 card, just in case you need a reminder. Check out some of my previous articles for other tips on succeeding.
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