Tuesday, February 15, 2011 will mark our second Awake After Dark (but home early enough in the suburbs) Storytelling event at the Westport Arts Center.

Although my introduction to the format of storytelling took place in a 600-seat theater in Baltimore in 2009 I knew it could fly in a much smaller town, so long as we could fine-tune it with realistic modifications, learning along the way. In Baltimore, I felt the multi-generational audience root for seven unscripted storytellers – dog walkers, doctors, sports writers, a fencing coach, a financier, each telling a seven minute story on the same universal theme.  We opted to give our storytellers ten minutes, and occasionally we will allow a longer story that we all wish was a movie that would last for hours. It’s important that in the middle of the week you can have a great evening out, but get home at reasonable hour. That’s why timing each story is critical to both the craft of storytelling, and to the audience’s experience.

When I chose the theme “What I did for love” I wondered whether we might be overwhelmed by a wave of bodice ripping memories, and “dying for love” clichés. Amazingly, it didn’t happen. I took the risk of throwing that theme out there, and thrillingly, for tonight we have a range of stories of which only one is purely romantic, yet it is multi-layered with tragic and triumphant passion for a parent’s lost love.

This evening’s theme mostly brought out the intricacies of devotion, about how we make sacrifices that are selfless at times, and simply madcap insanity at other times.  This theme accurately reflects “A Chorus Line” the show for which the song “What I Did for Love” was written. It’s about passion to do the most for what we believe in. It’s about moving forward when there is no turning back.

By holding these storytelling evenings at the Westport Arts Center, Mousemuse has found a venue that suits both WAC’s continued efforts to expand into all of the connecting arts and Mousemuse’s mission to bring the writers and talkers and performers together within the community. Together we want audiences to connect with both the stories and the storytellers.

On a wonderful note, Mousemuse has received funding from the Sunny Shores Foundation for Awake After Dark which makes WAC’s job and my job much easier.

Please know that for all events and for every organization producing art that ticket prices only cover a third of any production. This spectacular facility is a gloriously peopled machine that hums with talent and good spirits, and is successful in part from its volunteers and its devoted, highly competent staff.