NSN Conference, July 13, 2005 Pre-conference for the Producers SIG
Notes from discussion on involving Generation X and Y in storytelling, and attracting them to storytelling events.
Compiled by Janelle Reardon
Member, Producers & Organizers SIG
ELEMENTS TO ADD or CHANGE:
- Story Slam (like poetry slam)
- Choose venue where X & Y generations hang out/hold at Gen X/Y –friendly location
- Skate park
- High School or College
- Fringe event
- Mix Matures, Boomers with X and Y
- Include X gen. in presenting/as storytellers/performers – solicit younger tellers
- Recruit coffee house tellers
- Open mike
- Include storytelling in university curriculum
- Or offer for credit
- Or offer for extra credit in a class)
- Have a competition
- Have an Artist on-stage (live)
- Expand definition of storytellers (poetry, music, mime, etc.)
- Multifaceted event (not just storytelling)
- Make it a Story Arts Festival
- String Stories
- Oral Histories
- Organic
- Writing
- Crafting
- Find popular campus entertainers who actually tell stories (but may not be listed as storytellers)
- Simultaneous storytelling shows for Gen X and their children
- Create special Gen X or Y concert
- Have an Experimental Storytelling Concert with University Theater Department
PROMOTION
- Story Slam
- Radio Stations (popular with X & Y)
- Contact ALL colleges in the area, especially Theater, English, Education Library Science and History departments
- Include X gen. on planning committee/in planning
- Advertise in:
- H.S.
- College
- Skate Shop
- Tattoo Parlors
- Trendy bars/clubs
- Funky stores
- Locally-owned coffee shops w/free wi-fi
- Second-hand shops
- Game/comic book stores
- Set up Blog on website
- Advertise or get article in free local events tabloid format news magazine
- Trendy publication
- Underground publication
- Family Times tabloid
- Update posters and flyers to be “cool”, up to date, appealing to X, Y Gens.
- Leave flyers in coffee houses and record stores
- E-mail info. To know X and Y Generation folks with an INCENTIVE (i.e. free tickets) if they will send the e-mails on th friends.
- Include link to web site in the e-mails
- Parents Without Partners groups
- SPAM
- Interactive event web site
- Experiential swap shop (not storytelling)
- “Please don’t bring the kids”