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“We are looking for people’s real experience, not some neighbor’s friend who heard about something. We are looking for a person’s experience and how that experience shaped or change them,” he said.
According to Suddith, a good storyteller is honest, open and vulnerable. Also, it doesn’t take a major event in a person’s life like death or sickness to become a great story the audience can connect with.
“When you can share from a vulnerable place what is different inside you based on that little event, those are the stories that people grab onto. It goes beyond socioeconomic status, what part of town you’re from, what color you are… The same elements appeal to everyone in the audience,” Suddith said.
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Dayton Story Slam is currently halfway through its fourth season. The original show was started 13 years ago and was revived by Suddith in 2016. The art of storytelling is actually booming all around the country.
“It is getting bigger. The buzz word ‘storytelling’ has grown into a monster whether it’s digital marketing or what it means on stage. It’s just different. You’re interested in communicating something beyond facts, figures and timelines,” Suddith said.
Tellers will be judged by a few people who are planted in the audience. The winner gets $50 and four tickets to the next month’s show. In June, all the winners of the past nine shows get to compete in the Grand Slam. Suddith helps to coach these storytellers.
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Suddith works with fellow storyteller Bridget Flaherty. Flaherty is the owner of LORE, which is a shop dedicated to the art of storytelling. Suddith said teaching someone about storytelling is “like teaching someone how to write a good essay.”
“The thing that makes a good story is pretty simple. The character count is limited to two or three people and the teller is the main character. It doesn’t take a big event. It could be something you saw at an off ramp. What makes a good story is if you are able to be transparent and vulnerable and share what changed inside you or changed the way you see the world or the way that you understand the world better,” Suddith said.
The last Story Slam in November had the theme of food and had a decent turnout. While they need to have storytellers and an audience, it’s not the most important thing to Suddith.
“No matter what story you tell, as long as it’s true and it’s your experience, someone in the audience will say, ‘Thank you.’ It’s pretty powerful. When someone stretches themselves and tells a new story from the stage and the audience grabs it, I don’t care about the door count at that point. We have succeeded,” he said.
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Anyone who is a fan of NPR’s “This American Life” or podcasts that focus on people’s stories, will enjoy the show. Suddith reminds people that it is quite a different experience than a comedy show or something that is well-rehearsed.
“It’s warm. It’s at Wiley’s. It’s a small room. There’s no pressure to participate. You get an experience that is different every month. It’s unique and can’t be repeated,” he said.
After Tuesday’s show, the theme for January’s show will be revealed. Also in Story Slam’s future is a possible podcast. They are also looking to partner with local business and create partnerships, so they can host more events.
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The show is Tuesday, Dec. 17 at 7 p.m. The doors at Wiley’s open up at 6:30 p.m. and it is $5 to get in. So if you have a story to share, get to Wiley’s on Tuesday and don’t be nervous.
“If you have a story you want to tell or that people want to hear, this is the place to do it. When people show up and pay $5 and get a drink, they know that the stories are not polished or rehearsed. They know they aren’t seeing professional actors and actresses. They know they are seeing a bartender, a teacher, a stay-at-home mom, a retired professor or business person or retired army officer. They know that they are getting their neighbors and friends. They aren’t coming for a polished event,” Suddith said.
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