Storytelling is as old as mankind. Every civilization has an oral tradition, which serves to pass on ideas, knowledge, values, and culture. It transmits personal history and family heritage; both literature and theater trace their roots to this living art.
Amongst the great storytelling traditions we find the Greek myths and the epics of Homer, the four cycles of Irish mythology, the Arthurian legends, the fairy tales compiled and distilled by the Grimm brothers, a wide collection of Native American stories, and the tales from the Arabian Nights. The form and details of these traditions could not be more diverse. Yet all these tales address archetypical ideas, and can be understood on many levels of meaning. In these stories all the characters can be seen as aspects of a single person, and the drama that unfolds represents inner, spiritual struggles. It is these stories that Singing Harp presents.
A Note from the Artistic Director:
Why I Love These Stories
Styles range from grandfathers “sittin’ ‘round the fire,” improvising, elaborating, and inventing by whim, to professionals who used finely scripted material, to well crafted theater. Much folk music is a form of storytelling---the music complements the stories in a way not so different from the ancient bards and troubadours who traveled the medieval countryside. Well known storytellers will often weave personal tales in the midst of a telling, or tell stories within stories within stories.
The Japanese Noh Theater balances and combines text, movement, and music, speaking to the different aspects of a listener’s being. It is this tradition that Singing Harp especially embraces.
Of course, everyone loves a good story. In my own family, “telling” was a beloved tradition. As a child I remember sitting transfixed as my grandmother made up story after story, finding a clever ways to weave in characters or objects we had asked her to include. I especially loved reading the Grimm’s fairy tales---that was the book I stealthily opened under the covers long after I was supposed to be sleeping.
As an adult I enjoyed a successful career as a professional harpist, yet I still found myself drawn to storytelling. As fate would have it, on a whim I tracked down world-renowned storyteller, Laura Simms, and asked for some coaching. We spent five sessions just on the tale of The Frog Prince. I was astonished at the wealth of material we uncovered, as well as by how relevant it was to life. For example, there is a point in the story when the Frog is faced with a huge decision: either to abandon his wish, or to follow after what he wants in the face of great physical and emotional difficulty. Who of us has not been confronted with some similar inner battle? In this case, the Frog relentlessly pursues what he loves---an act which results in his transformation. This story still sustains me in moments when I feel tempted to give up on my own dreams.
Other fairy tales are equally rich. Another good illustration is the moment in The Golden Bird when the Prince sees the absolute impossibility of completing his task within the appointed time. The Prince nevertheless keeps working and working—which ultimately attracts the help he needs. How hard it can be for any of us to continue struggling when a desired outcome looks completely hopeless! This moment in the story often gives me strength in the face of disturbing events in today’s world.
Such classic stories are amongst the most uplifting and inspirational influences to be found: sincere effort and patience succeed, courage conquers fear, and perseverance triumphs over seemingly unconquerable obstacles. As with all great literature, these stories live inside our hearts. They grow in us and continually bear fruit.
