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<\/p>\nThe oral tradition predates the written word by thousands of years. Throughout history, storytelling has provided both a creative outlet and a focus for community. The Appalachian narrative tradition has remained especially vibrant; to wit, the International Storytelling Center is based in nearby Jonesborough, Tenn. And in Asheville, gatherings and competitions in which people share their own personal stories have long been a popular draw. A relative newcomer to the local tradition, Moth Story Slams are part of a celebrated national network. The Asheville Moth GrandSLAM brought together ten winners of previous Story Slams for a competition held at the Diana Wortham Theatre, Oct. 29.<\/p>\n
Dedicated to the art and craft of storytelling, the Moth is a non-profit organization founded in 1997. Moth competitions feature \u201ctrue stories, told live onstage without notes,\u201d says Sara Fields Bridges, producer and host of Asheville\u2019s monthly Moth Story Slams. To date, the Moth has presented more than 35,000 stories; slams take place in 26 American cities plus others worldwide. Winning stories have the potential to be chosen for the Moth Podcast; Bridges says that the program is downloaded more than 52 million times a year. The broadcast version (Moth Radio Hour<\/i>) won a 2010 Peabody Award for broadcast journalism and airs weekly on over 475 public radio stations worldwide.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The Moth Story Slams got their local start three years ago. By that time, Bridges had already volunteered at Moth events in New York City; back home, she was immersed in Asheville\u2019s storytelling scene. \u201cI was drawing upon experiences with Tom Chalmers\u2019 Listen to This <\/i>show and Synergy Story Slams,\u201d she says. She and Moth founder George Dawes Green often discussed the idea of bringing the Moth to Asheville. \u201cAnd I always hoped that if that happened, I would be involved.\u201d<\/p>\n
In 2015, Bridges\u2019 wish came true. \u201cI got a call asking if I would like to be the producer, and of course I was over the moon for that opportunity,\u201d Bridges says. <\/p>\n
Held monthly at the Mothlight, the Moth Story Slams in Asheville would be an immediate sensation. \u201cI don\u2019t think that I ever could have imagined the success that our show has had,\u201d Bridges says. \u201cWe have sold out every single show.\u201d As one of very few Moth Story Slams in this part of the country, the Asheville event draws local tellers as well as competitors from throughout the region. The Asheville Moth Story Slams are the subject of an upcoming documentary film as well. <\/p>\n
By design and character, the Moth experience is warm and welcoming. \u201cWhen we get a brand new storyteller on our stage, somebody who has never performed in front of an audience, the reception and love for that person is just overwhelming,\u201d Bridges says. \u201cThe audience gives them so much support; even if they stumble, there\u2019s a big wave of applause and encouragement.\u201d<\/p>\n
Every Moth Story Slam features several storytellers, each presenting a talk based on a prompt provided in advance. A panel of judges selects the winning teller. And this year\u2019s GrandSLAM (with the prompt \u201cwhen worlds collide\u201d) features ten finalists. But the competition won\u2019t feature them replaying their greatest hits. \u201cThey\u2019ve never told these stories before,\u201d Bridges says, \u201cSo it not like something that\u2019s rehearsed and in their back pocket.\u201d<\/p>\n
The winner of this year\u2019s GrandSLAM* will earn acclaim. But even winning one of the monthly competitions is a big deal. Bridges notes that finalist Gary Sizer has now written two books; other tellers have had their work published as well. \u201cMoth Story Slams can definitely be a jumping off point for people to further pursue their storytelling.\u201d<\/p>\n
The GrandSLAM competitors were familiar to anyone who has attended the monthly event at the Mothlight. One of them, Ray Christian, \u201cis a bit of a Moth celebrity,\u201d Bridges says. \u201cWhen our shows were launched, he just kept winning and winning.\u201d Christian has been featured on the Moth Mainstage Series and the podcast multiple times. He sums up his approach to telling a successful story with three guiding principles: \u201c Stay in the action, speak the words after you write them, and love your story.\u201d<\/p>\n
Moth stories are often inspiring and heart-rending. Finalist Cat Ashe* won a place in the GrandSLAM competition with her winning story about her five-month-old son\u2019s death and home burial. \u201cA good story needs to be told with passion,\u201d Ashe says. <\/p>\n
But stories can be \u2013 and often are \u2013 clever and humorous, too. Finalist Amy Jones earned her spot in the GrandSLAM competition with a tale of \u201ca birthday dessert gone wrong,\u201d she says. \u201cIt was tragic \u2026 and funny.\u201d Jones says that for her, the key to telling<\/i> a great story is writing<\/i> one. Her advice: \u201cWrite it down, read it thoroughly and then speak it out loud in practice.\u201d Beyond those tips, she emphasizes that \u201chumor and tenderness is always a winning combination.\u201d<\/p>\n
*Cat Ashe won the competition held on Oct. 29.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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