Community Storytelling Submissions
The Town of Yarmouth Department of Planning & Development is excited to announce a Request for Submissions for a live, community storytelling event as part of the Comprehensive Plan update underway. As part of Plan Yarmouth, various “companion” events to the planning process have been held in collaboration with community organizations, and Town departments and volunteer committees to educate and illuminate facets of the town, celebrate community achievements, foster the town’s civic culture, and engage in the big (and sometimes intimidating) long-range planning themes of “future policy, growth, and investment,” but in a fun way.
Inspired by live storytelling events such as The Moth and the power of creative expression to bring community together, the Town is soliciting submissions to be performed (without paper preferably) at a live community event in late February around the theme of:
Power of Place: Prepare a 5 – 10-minute story about a memory or feeling that connects or disconnects you to a place, perhaps Yarmouth, or about the power of a place that connects you even from afar. Some prompts: Did something happen at a particular location? Do you have story about Yarmouth that has been passed down generations, like when I-295 came through? Is there a special place that you keep coming back to? Are there sensory features that conjure up a memory in town? Is it a natural or a cultural environment that speaks to you? What does to be “from” or “rooted” in a place?
Submissions are for ages fourteen (14) and up. We encourage a broad range of individual experiences that illuminate the diversity of human connections to community and place. Whether you are a member of the Yarmouth High School Playmakers or a trained actor, a nascent or practiced storyteller, a dabbling or established writer, or a new voice to Maine whose stories often go unheard – all are welcome to submit!
In collaboration with the Royal River Community Players, a panel of acclaimed local writers, communications professionals, community volunteers, and the New England-based and local publishing company, Islandport Press, will be reviewing submissions over January and will select five (5) pieces to be read aloud before a live audience. To commence our upcoming event, the Royal River Community Players will be hosting a captivating storytelling workshop on January 21, 2024, from 9:45am – 10:50am at their Playhouse located at 305 US Route 1 in Yarmouth. Participants will engage in a variety of creative warm up games, visioning exercises, and free writing. Further details about the workshop can be found on the Royal River Community Players' website at www.rrcp.me after the new year. To register, please email admin@royalrivercommunityplayers.com.
In addition to the “tips” provided below, all submissions must follow the following guidelines:
Include your name and age, and a guardian’s permission if under 18 years of age
It must be your non-fiction story to tell
It must be on theme
It must be performed within the timeframe of 5 - 10 minutes
Submissions that contain profanity, offensive or abusive language will not be eligible
Submissions can be written (PDF or Word Doc format), or Microsoft compatible audio or video formats (3G2, 3GP, 3GPP, ASF, AVI, M2TS, M4A, M4V, MKV, MOV, MP3, MP4, MP4V, MTS, TS, WAV, WEBM, WMA, WMV)
Submissions (via email, dropped off in person, or mail) are due to Julie Dubovsky, Assistant Planner (jdubovsky@yarmouth.me.us) by February 12, 2024, at Yarmouth Town Hall.
TIPS
“The arts bring people together to share through multiple formats, which offers a deep and personal way to build meaningful and lasting relationships with your neighbors.” - Project UnLonely
Practice!
Please know your story “by heart” but not by rote memorization. Notes will be allowed, but stories should be performed and not read directly from paper.
Craft a story with stakes!
Stakes are essential in live storytelling. What do you stand to gain or lose? Why is what happened in the story important to you? Where’s the action? Is there a conflict?
Have fun!
Make an outline, memorize your main points, and play with the details. Enjoy yourself and play with the audience.
AND WHAT TO AVOID
Avoid meandering endings
Your last line should be clear in your head before you start. Bring your audience on the journey, but don’t lose them on the way.
Regale not rage
In support of community health and wellness, a list of local mental health providers will be provided at the show, but please do not use the stage for angry rants. Passion is great, but bring it to a purpose or denouement.
Not a thesis, even if on theme
Make sure your piece works on the stage, not just on paper.
No imitations
Stories must be in your own voice, or that of your people of origin. Please, no imitating accents from another culture or race.
Need more info? Check out helpful guidelines from The Moth’s live storytelling events, which are good overall to abide by, and some Maine-based storytelling groups that can be helpful for practice and inspiration: Northeast Storytelling: https://www.nestorytelling.org/find-a-local-group/maine/
We gratefully acknowledge the community volunteers, a panel of local writers, teachers, professionals, and performers, who will be reviewing submissions:
Abdi Nor Iftin, award-winning author and performer
Ann Swardlick, Yarmouth Arts Alliance volunteer and communications professional
Betsy Puelle, theater director and drama teacher at Yarmouth High School
Charlotte Agell, author/illustrator and a recent teacher at Yarmouth’s Harrison Middle School
Chris Sullivan, Executive Director of the Royal River Community Players
Islandport Press, an award-winning publisher dedicated to stories rooted in Maine and New England
All these companion events for Plan Yarmouth could not have happened without the civic engagement and leadership of Yarmouth’s amazing Town committee volunteers and community-based organizations, who exemplify the town motto, “Our Latchstring Always Out.” The Power of Place Community Storytelling event will be the fifth companion event held with more to come in the spring!