Story Matters
And the Cincinnati Storytelling Festival once again spotlights story - and storytellers
There’s something about a good story that can warm your heart, send chills down your spine, or motivate change. But in the hands of a great storyteller, these results are magnified. And at the Cincinnati Storytelling Festival, produced by Artistic Director Paul Strickland and managing producer Alice Flanders and associate Erika Kate MacDonald, we once again were treated to some of the best in the world.
Strickland, known to local audiences for his sold-out and award-winning Fringe shows, always weaves a terrific tale. The festival, which started with a preview on Thursday evening followed by a storytelling night on Friday and a full day of events on Saturday, continues to grow since its first iteration.
I attended part of Saturday’s festivities. First, TrueTheatre presented four storytellers, all reprising stories they’ve told at Memorial Hall, home to this local Moth-inspired company. My favorite was Dave Levy, also the artistic director of TrueTheatre. His command of the stage is profound, and his ability to structure a story is something he tries to pass along to the storytellers he mentors.
After a short break, Strickland kicked off “Old Tales Told New.” His use of language is inspired, and his sense of whimsy is unparalleled. The imagination in his word pictures is magical, and his guitar playing is pretty great, too. He then introduced Brazillian-born and now Maine resident Antonio Rocha, who mesmerized the audience with a folktale (that ended up being true - and about his mother) by using physicality, mouth-made sound effects, and riveting suspense to unwind a story about a snakebite. And finally, Megan Hicks provided a fairy-godmother-like presence to retell the classic “Dancing Princesses” fairy tale. Her charm and warmth were like a verbal hug from the stage.
I love this event and hope it continues for many years. Strickland has a knack for curating various styles and stories, and it’s a delightful way to spend a weekend.
Check out the Cincinnati Storytelling Festival website and stay tuned for information about next year’s event!