"The In The Telling" Podcast...Understanding The Art Of Creativity

I found out a few months ago a new podcast was in the works, a podcast about how we communicate stories. Of course, it's more than that. The creator of the podcast is Liz Christensen. If you know her, you know why she would want to create such a thing. She's fascinated the art of storytelling. It's easy to imagine her wanting to, not only learn new things herself, but create a way for as many people as possible to learn them, too.

On her website, Liz explains why the In The Telling podcast exists:

Why I started a podcast

I am ravenous for stories. I love books, films, TV shows, opera, ballet, theatre, poetry, campfires and asking personal questions. I’ve also made my career in the performing arts and witnessed the power storytelling has to unite, transform, heal, teach and entertain. I am surrounded by talented storytellers across many industries all hustling to get their narratives heard.

Actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt said, “storytelling in general is a communal act. Throughout human history, people would gather around, whether by the fire or at a tavern, and tell stories. One person would chime in, then another, maybe someone would repeat a story they heard already but with a different spin. It’s a collective process.” With “In the Telling,” I collect the storytellers of our community, hoping to share and to amplify their voices. We will geek out over the art and craft of their expertise and experience. This podcast isn’t about critiques, or reviews. It’s about process, technique, philosophy, approach, conceptualization, and the mechanics and diligence of hard work. It’s about How and Why and Who.

I hope you’ll listen to these interviews. I hope you’ll participate in an interview. I hope you’ll engage with the stories in film, theatre, and literature in deeper and more meaningful ways. And most of all, I hope that when you seek a story, you’ll look local first. You’ll recognize and appreciate the talent within your neighborhood, city, county and region. Sharing our stories, and the process by which they became works of art, brings people together. So, join in. Come be part of your storytelling community.

“In the Telling” podcast explores the art and craft of storytelling along the Wasatch front with filmmakers, theatre artists, writers and more. It is produced and hosted by me, Liz Christensen The first three episodes will launch together in April 2019.

It only launched officially last week, but there's over twenty episodes, some longer than others. It's amazing how much work Liz has already put into the project. Once again, if you know Liz, this isn't surprising. She jumps into projects with both feet--all the way or not at all.

I've listened to most of the episodes already and I plan to listen to more when I have the time next week. If you want to know more about novel writing, live theater (including opera), singing, doing stand-up, film festivals, stage management, how to make a feature film, and much more, please check out In The Telling. You can access Liz's website: HERE, or her Patreon site: HERE. I can't wait to find out what other amazing things Liz has in store for us all. Please check out In The Telling podcast. If you like all things creative, you'll love it.

Ah...The Joys Of Live Theater

I'd have to say my career in performing began in high school. I didn't to a lot of shows--I was too shy--but I definitely found an interest. In college I worked as a stuntman and in 2000, my son and I did our first community theater production...Scrooge.

Since then, I've probably done at least one show every year, some years no shows, some years many. Needless to say, if you're on a stage performing in front of a live audience, it's only a matter of time before something goes wrong.

I was reviewing a show for a blog when the stage didn't lift and they took a ten-plus minute break to get it fixed. I was in a show when lightning hit the building and fried some audio equipment. I was in another a show when the motorized cart that Belle's father drove in Beauty and the Beast died on stage. I, a member of the ensemble, ended up running on stage to jimmy the key--it was quirky. It worked. And everyone knows what it's like to completely forget a line or have an actor with which you are interacting on stage, forget a line.

Ah, the joys of live theater.

I've been both on stage and in the audience when mistakes happen. It's part of the experience. Thankfully, when they do it's nice when those who paid to see you on stage are considerate enough to understand that errors and technical difficulties happen and to not complain, even though they've spent good money to see the show. It's part of being a good citizen, a good patron, a good person.

As long as I continue to do shows, I suppose the glitches and gaffs and mistakes and miscues will continue as well. Let's hope they're at a minimum and when they do happen, people will understand.

Centerpoint Theatre's "9 To 5"...Pretty Darn good!

Around 6pm last night I got a text message from my friend Mike. He informed me that he was in 9 to 5 at Centerpoint Legacy Theatre and wondered if I wanted to check out the show. A person I'd been trying to meet to discuss Comic Con stuff was going to be there, too. Mike thought I'd get a chance to meet him face-to-face, and I could see the show, too.

Turns out, that's exactly what happened.

But before I chatted with Mike's friend, I saw a wonderful show.

I've been doing shows on and off for almost twenty years. And when you do shows, you get to know a lot of other people who share your passion. Theater is a small world, even in Utah. Because it was a preview night, we didn't have programs. They'll show up when the show officially opens tomorrow night. But even without programs, I recognized so many both on the stage and behind the scenes. I'd never seen the stage version of 9 to 5, but I saw the movie decades ago. Good music, wonderful voices, and a women-empowerment message if there ever was one. I recommend seeing it, at least the cast I saw.

As I watched the show, I had a thought creep into my mind. Does knowing and working with these talented people make my experience more enjoyable? I've wondered the same thing before. Since I've gotten to know so many authors, do I like their books more because I know them personally?

Hard to say. I'll never have the opportunity to go back and see the same show with people I don't know. Just an interesting thought.

Having said that, I should point out some individual performances from last night. Jan Smith--fantastic! I've known her since the early 1980s--she was great then and even better now. Lori Rees--the woman can play anything and you'll believe her. She was so good as Doralee, worth the price of admission right there. Mike Brown--as slimy a boss as ever there was one, which proves Mike's ability as an actor. 

There was other, of course, who did great, Tara, Collin, Shana, Josh, Sterling, and Maurie's amazing direction. But my favorite performance had to be that of Russell Walker as Joe. I've done one show with Russell. Not only did we get to see a sweet character on stage, but we heard a matching voice in his solo. What made his performance memorable was because Russell is a sweet man, a good man, someone who would do what his character did on stage.

So, I guess (last night, at least...) knowing the actor's personally made it much better for me. Well done cast and best of luck on the run!