The Power of Personal Story
Written by Sarah Lee Harter
Stephanie Rogers believes that storytelling has the ability to change the world. She had this mission in mind when she founded STORY JAM, a storytelling company that is home to vibrant live shows, a captivating podcast, and an educational organization that offers storytelling trainings, classes, and retreats. As an audience member at a STORY JAM show, you can expect a collection of true, personal narrative stories paired with original music written to punctuate each tale. While the night is filled with humor and top notch entertainment, Steph believes that something deeper begins to take root in her audiences between belly laughs.
What makes a story?
In Rogers’ mind, the most essential element of a story is conflict. You are sharing your inner and outer story, which is what STORY JAM calls “The Journey of Events mixed with The Journey of Emotions.” (Story Jam instructor and artist Arlene Malinowski coined the concept). The more emotional information you share with your audience, the more they are going to care about your narrative.
To a storyteller, the biggest question is: What is the problem; and beyond that: Why is it such a big deal? For example, the plot of a story may be that the storyteller went to the gas station, filled their tank with gas, and then returned home. When combined with the Journey of Emotions, the story might become: “I went to the gas station but as I was filling up my tank, I began to remember how I hate gas stations. When I was five years old, I would watch my mother dig through her purse and cry because she didn’t have enough money to fill up the car…” This is where a good story is born.
In order to continue building from the bones of your story, Steph also suggests a few more key elements: “Humor is essential, even in tiny moments! Vulnerability is essential too!” And the final element Steph recommends is personal transformation. The storyteller has to experience some kind of change, even if it means they’re a little less optimist or a little more hopeful about humanity…anything to show the listener or audience that this story made a difference to the teller.
What makes a storyteller?
By now, the reader of this article may be thinking they may have a story or two up their sleeve, and according to Rogers, they are in luck! “Anyone can utilize storytelling!” Rogers tells us. “Storytelling is for anyone regardless of age, gender, race, sexual preference, background, socio-economic status, culture, or physical ability. You don’t even have to have performance experience. As long as you have a moment of conflict within some experience you’d like to share with others, you can become a terrific storyteller!”
How can storytelling make an impact?
While some of Rogers’ favorite stories are “extraordinarily funny or extraordinarily vulnerable,” she tells us that her favorite stories are cross-cultural. “Storytelling is an act of social justice because of the connection that occurs. It can cross many bridges of separation.”
She points out that humans have a tendency to separate ourselves—sometimes even among our own communities—and through a personal story, the audience is able to expand their empathy and feel deep connection with individuals of differing backgrounds and cultures. “Storytelling says, ‘No, we aren’t separate! We’re all in this together.’ Once you hear a story, it’s the same story that everybody has. You had a problem and you were in need of resolution and it meant something to you and there is an emotional moment happening. Everyone has that same story!”
For this reason, STORY JAM views it as an honor to spotlight the stories of individuals who are underrepresented. While the atmosphere at a STORY JAM show is lively and entertaining, it is their hope that their audiences will be able to connect deeply, leaving the theatre a little more thoughtful and compassionate for others.
Are you interested in beginning your storytelling journey?
STORY JAM offers ongoing classes and will be hosting a weekend retreat at Ragdale in Lake Forest this coming October. Story Jam is also producing two monthly shows - one in Highland Park at Madame Zuzu’s (on the first Friday of every month) and another at Artifact Events on the last Wednesday of every month. To learn more about Story Jam’s full roster of shows and classes, visit www.storyjamshow.com.