Today a renaissance of storytelling is cascading across the country, a renaissance heard in the clear voices of teachers, librarians, corporate executives, therapists, ministers, parents, and others for whom storytelling is a dynamic part of everyday life and work

As a constantly growing matrix of technology enables us to exchange a myriad of messages across the face of the planet in an increasingly rich and varied assortment of ways, one might think that the ancient art of storytelling, the simple face-to-face speaking of a tale, would be fading toward oblivion. On the contrary, storytelling is in the midst of a vibrant and exciting revival. Storytelling is being applied in oral history projects, public storytelling performances, and mainstream writings centered on the phenomenon.

This American Renaissance is exemplified in part by the ever-growing wave of storytelling festivals. Over 25 years ago, a humble storytelling festival was held in Jonesborough, Tennessee. This became the birthplace of America’s storytelling revival. A quarter of a century later, the Jonesborough National Storytelling Festival dips into a pool of more than 9,000 storytellers from all over the world, as well as an overflowing audience that comes to delight in the wide-range of storytelling events.

States throughout the country have caught onto the trend. There are now storytelling festivals in nearly every state, Internet storytelling sites, and purely digital storytelling festivals. One of the largest and fastest growing festivals in the West is the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival which attracts thousands of visitors and participants each year. Such large festivals are contagious and are truly perpetuating a deeper appreciation for the value of stories and storytelling.

Additional Links on The American Storytelling Revival

National Storytelling Network
http://www.storynet.org

Timpanogos Storytelling Festival
http://www.timpfest.org

National Storytelling Festival
http://www.storytellingfestival.net

The Storytellers’ Journey: An American Revival, Joseph Sobol
http://www.press.uillinois.edu/s99/sobol.html