Author: Sheri Denkensohn-Trott
A couple of years ago I was introduced to storytelling. I didn’t know what it was, but I started reading about a local storytelling organization called Story District and The Moth, a global storytelling organization. Friends joke that I love to tell stories, so I decided that I would try doing one in an organized setting. I’m so glad I did.
My first attempt was a local storytelling for The Moth. It is held at the Miracle Theater, a well-known beautiful old movie theater in the Barracks Row section of Washington DC. There is a theme that is publicized, and 
you must prepare a story related to the theme and it must be no more than 10 minutes. While that sounds easy, it isn’t. It is about two pages of written text. And you must deliver the story without any paper. The theme was “Etiquette,” and I wrote a story about flipping etiquette upside down as an individual with a disability.
When you arrive, you put your name in a hat along with others that want to tell a story. There is no guarantee that you will be chosen. There is an intermission after five stories and I had not yet been chosen, but I was truly enjoying myself. The MC was hilarious, and the storytellers were fabulous. And then I was chosen at #6! I told my story, but I didn’t realize that one needed to stop for laughter and applause when necessary. I rushed through and didn’t score very well. But I learned what I needed to do.
I entered another Moth storytelling in May of the same year (the previous one was in February). Many of my friends and family had never heard of storytelling and really enjoyed the laughter and authenticity of the evening. It was truly a unique event for them. I told them that there was no guarantee that I would be chosen. And once again, right after intermission I was chosen. And using the tricks that I learned, such as stopping and pausing for laughter, using dialogue and different voice levels, and sentences that were short and longer, I wound up winning! That set me up to be in a Moth GRANDSlam.
I have also participated with a local storytelling group called Story District. They operate differently. There is a theme, but you pitch your story and if you are chosen, you know you will be performing. I did a couple of shows and then I pitched for their biggest show, Sucker for Love. Over 50 People tried out and I was chosen as one of eight. It was a blast, but very hard work. I had no idea that we would start practicing in October for a show in February. But it was great. Essentially, you had one-on-one coaching to get prepared. I performed in a packed theater of 1200 individuals right before lockdown.
Now that COVID has diminished (although not gone away entirely), both entities are back in action with shows. I just noticed a theme for Story District, and I have a perfect story. I almost deleted the email because I have work to do and other commitments. But I paused. Should I pitch a story? It takes time to prepare and there is no money involved. But it is fun, enjoyable, and I love doing it. So, I’m going to do it. I realize that it is important to do things that make me happy. It fills me up to tell a story on stage that people may relate to, that makes them laugh, and helps them understand a part of my life. If it feeds my soul and that is important.
Life is short. Pay attention to what fills you up inside and makes you happy and pursue those goals. Whether it be professional or personal. Stay tuned. I will let you know if I am chosen.
not viewed as such when you are hearing the story for the 5th time) and that there was actually a world of professional storytellers.
District you make a pitch over email and then in-person to get chosen for a show. If chosen, you know beforehand that you will be telling a story. Additionally, you get coaching by expert storytellers. I did a pitch in October 2018 and was chosen for one of their shows with the theme Primal Instinct. I told the story of being newly injured and my mother wait in line to purchase tickets to the Bruce Springsteen, Born in the USA Tour. All of the storytellers were great, and I had a fabulous time. I was hooked.