Dayton Story Slam

Last night I sat in the room where my personal storytelling journey began. Five storytellers got on stage and shared their hearts and souls in the form of words crafted into a beginning, a middle and an end. They told their stories to a packed crowd of story lovers at Wiley's Comedy Club

Dayton Story Slam 2019 Grand Slam

in Downtown Dayton. There were tears, there was laughter, there was food and drink and community. It was remarkable and touching. It was reverent and outrageous. It was raw and real.

The theme was “Lost and Found” and over the course of the evening we each lost ourselves in the stories and found that we were, in some way, the same as the person telling us about their lives.

Nicole Ruttencutter shared a story about finding her way to the man who eventually became her husband. Allie Hundley made us laugh with her story about finding out that the best deals do not always turn out as expected. Becky Koop brought tears to our eyes when the song that she and her son danced to at his wedding played on the radio on a windy road in Idaho the night she met her baby grandson for the first time. Sandra Combs brought us into her dreams to find her one thing. Faith Robertson gave us the gift of forgiveness as she revealed her storied family history and brought us to the loving relationship that exists in the wake of grace.

With each story, I was captivated. I was touched. I was in the moment. And that is the power of stories. They connect us to one another.

Everyone has a story to share. Share yours.

Behind the Camera

I met Briana of Knack Creative when I was looking for someone to take family photos. Four generations were in town for only a few days. My mother was visiting from Pittsburgh, my daughter and grandson were visiting from North Carolina. This moment called for remembrance. We had in mind a beautiful springtime outdoor photo shoot and as the rain poured, I have to admit, I was disappointed.

Briana to the rescue. She invited us to her studio on Fifth Street downtown where she opened the windows and let in the soft natural light. Her warm greeting relaxed all of us, even the baby, and the result was nothing short of magical. I cherish those pictures.

Over the following year, the universe has conspired to put Briana and I in each other’s path over and over again. And every time, she greets me with that same engaging smile. Even when she is running from one photo or video shoot to another and the time clock is running, she leads with a smile and leaves with a hug.

Working with her on the Hunger event has been a treat. The photos of the storytellers are expressive and true to character. I cannot wait to see the magic that she will capture on Thursday May 9, 2019 at the Mainstage Hunger storytelling event at the Brightside Music Venue. Maybe she will capture your smiling face on camera! But only if you are there to witness the greatness.

Get your ticket before it is too late!

4 generations

For the Love of Story

Bryan’s love for story changed the trajectory of my life. The night we met, Bryan knew nothing about me. He was just doing what he loves: telling stories and creating the space for others to tell their stories.

I had never heard of The Moth. I wasn’t a storyteller. I was a poet. And someone at the Dayton Poetry Slam told me that my poems were more like stories and that I should check out this thing: The Dayton Story Slam. And when I heard that the winning storyteller got $50, I decided to check it out. I prepared a story and I won. And that $50 paid my cell phone bill, days after the heat and the electricity had been turned off for non-payment. I told that story because I needed $50.

What I got in return was so much more rich than $50. I found that I loved telling stories. Healing happened within me when I shared stories on stage. It was like I took this weight that I was carrying around and I unpacked it and opened it and showed it to the audience. And each person in the crowd took a tiny piece of the story for themselves. And when I left the stage, the weight was gone. Each member of the audience had taken a small piece of it from me and instead of being heavy, it became small and precious. Sharing the story transformed my history for me. And sharing the story changed the audience right in front of me.

The Dayton Story Slam Grand Slam was followed by a Louisville Moth Story Slam and then the Louisville Moth Grand Slam, where Bryan and I shared the stage. And then Pittsburgh and Chicago and Detroit and Ann Arbor and Cincinnati. And when I thought this storytelling thing was too much, Bryan encouraged me. And when I wanted to do a curated storytelling event, Bryan supported me. And when I asked him to teach storytelling, he joined me.

Bryan was just doing his thing, living his truth and sharing his love of storytelling, and his being himself changed me. Bryan sharing his story changed how my story has been written. And that, THAT, is the power of story.

Bryan is the emcee for the LORE Mainstage: Hunger event on Thursday, May 9th at 7:00. He will on stage, telling stories and creating the space for others to tell their stories - doing what he loves.

Don't miss it.

Bryan and Bridget