What Do I Do?

Let me start with what I don't do!

I do not offer dramatic readings. You will not see me in front of a crowd with a book in my hand. It's funny, this is actually a hard concept for some to grasp. I can't tell you how many times a year people tell me, "Oh, I really enjoy your readings." I have to chuckle, what else can I do?

I think part of the confusion stems from folks not knowing how to describe what they have experienced. One 4th grader put it to me this way,
"When you were talking, I felt like I was watching a movie!"


You see, if I am doing my job well, I disappear as the story evolves and your mind is filled with imagery tailor-made for you by your life's experiences. It's a public performance art with deeply intimate impact. It's a life skill with incredible communicative powers. It's just plain fun.

Quite simply, I tell stories. Yet, there is so much more to it than that!

Essentially my involvement with storytelling can be broken into four parts.

Performance

Education

Production

Advocacy

My next few posts, I will spend some time exploring each part.

My Inspiration?

The groundswell source of all my dreams starts at home, with those I love.







Not only all those who have gone before me, but those who stand by my side, and those who follow.







In a word ~ Family!









Indeed, I am twice blessed.
My closest friends - those that I trust with the inner most parts of my soul - are also my family.







They steady me and ground me, they nudge me and encourage me, they give me wings.













How could I not be inspired?

Why Storytelling?

I thought you'd never ask! It all starts with a story, of course. When I was a teenager I found myself very frustrated in my interactions with people. Everything felt so surface, as if we were going through the motions of interacting, but never really connecting. I was blessed with a core group of friends who pushed beyond the surface connections, but I was fully aware it was a rare gift and not the norm. From that point on I have hungered for those kinds of connections. Not, "Hey, how ya' doin'? - Just passin' through." Rather, those genuine moments when souls step out of their shells and embrace.

For a long time, I searched. I confess I had come to fear our overextended techno-planet lifestyle had led to a numbing of hearts. Then one day, that all changed. I witnessed my first live storytelling performance and my soul leapt within me for joy. There was magic in that space. A collective of strangers shared an intimate journey of the heart. I was hooked. Like a parched traveler I thirsted to know more, experience more, understand more. Within a week I embarked on my storytelling quest of discovery and I have never looked back. My quest is to help people reconnect with themselves, their hopes, and their dreams. I tell so my listeners will remember what it‘s like to feel.

Over the years I have journeyed on this quest I have come to discover the source of my hunger. My Grandma, when I was ready to listen, shared tales with me of her storytelling ancestors. It seems she had a grandma and an uncle that were storytellers. Whenever they came to town, folks would gather from all over the surrounding communities to hear their stories. As time passed others told me of other ancestors who were known as storytellers - seems I'm genetically wired to be a storyteller! It's funny though - truly good storytellers listen more than they speak. It was only in the listening that I was led to understand this gift that dwells within me.

Why Idaho?

That's the question I hear most often when I announce where I am from. It seems I live in a most misunderstood state. It humors me actually. Believe me I've heard it all!



"Ya'all live in double-wides, don't you?"
- Tennessee

"Oh yea, you must be a pig farmer!" - Texas

"Now refresh my memory, what part of Iowa is that in?" - Washington

Oh, let's not even talk about how many people have decided to simply call me: "Spud." - Oklahoma

Of course there's always this witty little comment, "I - da - ho" (wink-wink) "You - da - pimp?" - Wyoming




So, in an effort to answer this oft-asked question, I've posted a few of the pictures I've taken of my beloved state.

Leading me to ask:

"Why not Idaho?"

Whether watching the sunset from my back door, driving to the mountains, or cruising through a ski resort, I am never disappointed by the sights and sounds I encounter. We've got big sky, fresh air, and clean living - what's not to like?

Yep - I'm Teresa Clark. I'm from Idaho.

Have I got a story for you!