Thursday, April 21, 2011

Two Minutes To Tell - StoriesLive!

Stories take on many forms. Some may be long, sweeping Irish epics, comical Appalachian Jack Tales, or pourquoi folktales answering those "Why?" questions young children always seems to ask. Then there are those short, two minute stories that reach in, touch your soul, grab your heart, and momentarily leave the listener speechless. Two minutes? Can it be possible to accomplish all of that as the seconds tick by?

There is a story connected to the famous author Ernest Hemingway. It is said he considers this short story to be his best work, and he did it in just six words:

"For Sale: Baby shoes, never worn."

Today, the founders of massmouth are blazing a new trail for teenagers in Massachusetts. They are doing what might seem to be an impossible task, getting teens to share their stories through the StoriesLive!  program. Granted, two minutes doesn't allow time to add extraordinary imagery, nuance and perfect pacing, the tools professional use to enhance their stories. Yet, the shorter time frame might just be the key these young adults need to unlock and release the fear of public speaking. Two minutes is possible, two is doable, two minutes is safe. 

Listen to Maho share his heartstopping story, just one of the many high school students who are learning to share where they come from!





Would you like a chance to hear these stories live? There will be a public performance at Cambridge Public Library on April 30 at 2:30 P.M. (on Broadway). To listen to more student tellers go to  www.massmouth.ning.com/events .

10 comments:

A Tarkabarka Hölgy said...

Wow.

storyspace said...

Thank you for posting this Karen, what makes this story even more powerful is that this teller has a stutter which he lost in the telling of his story. The power of story . He is amazing and just one of many stories as powerful in StoriesLive® We are trying to get them all heard they deserve to be validated by listening.

Sheila said...

I have to reiterate, "Wow!" I will be sharing this with my high school Teacher Friends. Karen, thanks for always sharing such good stuff. Peace, Sheila.

Debra Morningstar said...

Wonderful, Karen!! You're doing great work! :-) Yaw^ko (Thank you!!) :-) Debra Morningstar

Karen Chace said...

Hi Debra,

Thank you for your kind comment but it is not my work. Andrea Lovett, Norah Dooley and a few others at massmouth in MA are performing these miracles! Their program StoriesLive! is nothing short of amazing!

Karen

Karen Chace said...

Thank you Sheila. Share away!

Karen

Maggid said...

Thank you again & again -
following in your lovely footsteps here in the heartland . . . .
love & love,
-g-

Karen Chace said...

Thank you Georgy. Please do share the link so more people will learn about this amazing program.

Karen

Bill Lampton, Ph.D. said...

Every privileged American child would benefit from watching this pulsating speech, to realize how amazing it is that we don't have to fear for our lives every day, or see our loved ones destroyed senselessly. As a professional speaker and Speech Coach, I commend this young man--and those who helped him develop this compelling story. Thanks, Karen, for sharing it.

Karen Chace said...

Thank you Bill. Your words carry great truth! I will make sure the founders of StoriesLive! share your comments with Maho. They will be appreciated.

Karen