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National Youth Storytelling Showcase

As some of you may know, I am the state liason for The National Youth Storytelling Showcase. This wonderful organization is dedicated to encouraging every classroom in America to discover (or rediscover) the beauty and value of storytelling and story performance.

They hold an annual contest in Utah, but the process of auditioning via video tape or DVD is ongoing.

Here is some video footage from this year's event!

Once again, it’s time to start sending in those video tapes and DVDs for the National Youth Storytelling Showcase! Two years ago we had an Illinois boy, Arthur Avery, as a top teller in the high school division! We know there is a lot of talent out there, but we need your help in rounding up the tapes and DVDs.

Please help us recruit youth tellers from your summer camp experiences, your school residencies, your classrooms and libraries!

Here are some of the logistics:

All selected tellers from local storytelling events must mail videotapes or DVD’s to me by November 3rd, 2008. (Please see addresses below). They must be in my hand by November 3rd, not postmarked by then! State Representatives will review all tapes and select the five (5) state finalists, and will send those five (5) videotapes to the Pigeon Forge Office of Special Events by Monday, November 12, 2008. Mike Lockett has agreed to help me review tapes. If you are interested we might host a tape viewing party one day that week. Drop me an e-mail, Contact Fox, if you would like to help us eat popcorn and watch the future stars of storytelling.

Videotapes must be accompanied by the required and completed entry forms or they will be disqualified. THIS IS CRUCIAL! The paperwork is not complicated, but it is important that all of the forms are complete. Here are the forms: National Youth Storytelling Showcase Forms

Finalists will be notified either by telephone or email from Pigeon Forge before 5 p.m. on Friday, December 7th, 2008. Finalists will receive an invitation to present their story during the Smoky Mountains Storytelling Festival during the National Youth Storytelling Showcase on February 7 - 9, 2009 in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. The “Grand Torchbearer” will be selected from among the performing finalists.

Use VHS tape or digital in a format that will play on a standard home DVD player. Make sure their name is clearly marked on the videotape or disk. There should be only one story on each tape or CD. Videotapes and DVD’s may be returned only if accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped mailer.

If sending via US Postal Service: Brian “Fox” Ellis Fox Tales International P.O. Box 10800 Peoria, IL 61612 Attn: NYSS Entry

If sending via UPS, FedEx, etc: Brian “Fox” Ellis Fox Tales International 9121 N. Industrial Drive Peoria, IL 61615 Attn: NYSS Entry

Thanks in advance for spreading the word, encouraging youth tellers and doing your part to give a leg up to the next generation of storytellers!

Telling Darwin’s Tale,

Brian “Fox” Ellis