"Have you heard of TELLABRATION
Stories all across the nation.
We succumbed to the temptation
To join in the celebration."

Those are the first four lines of a bit of verse penned by this writer in 1990, inspired by the first TELLABRATION produced by our local group. TELLABRATION had begun here in Connecticut two years earlier, had expanded to three states the following year, and by 1990 was being presented in 46 communities in 22 states. That was justification for saying "all across the nation."

We "succumbed to the temptation" because we had heard how much fun everyone was having, and we wanted to "join in the celebration" of spreading the gospel of storytelling. We wanted to share our love of storytelling with a wider group of people, especially adults, right here in our own community.

Sharing and celebrating is what J.G. Pinkerton of Stamford had in mind when he conceived the notion of TELLABRATION in 1987. Jimmy Neil Smith, the executive director of the National Storytelling Association (it was known then as NAPPS) had asked J.G. to create a new idea that would encourage and support storytelling in local communities. J.G. said that he wanted to give it a try because he believed in the development of storytelling at the grassroots level. After mulling it over for a few weeks, he proposed his "wildest dream yet" to Jimmy Neil; he liked the idea, but nothing much happened for a while because NAPPS was focused on other matters.

Later that year, however, J.G. shared his idea of a benefit evening of storytelling for grownups with the board of advisors of the Connecticut Storytelling Center. CSC director Barbara Reed and the members of the board were eager to try it here in Connecticut. So it was that on November 18, 1988, TELLABRATION was launched in six Connecticut communities, with the Connecticut Storytelling Center as its sponsor and J.G. Pinkerton as state producer.

Peg O'Sullivan of Rowayton was co-producer of one of those original TELLABRATION programs. She remembers how thrilling it was to her that they had a packed house. "It was particularly exciting," Peg says, "to realize that many members of their audience were hearing stories told for the first time since their childhood, and that they were enjoying it tremendously!" Peg took on the job of volunteer national coordinator for TELLABRATION in 1995, and she reports that many first time producers express that same feeling of excitement that she experienced.

Another 1988 producer, Linda Marchisio, recalls that evening as being special because it was an opportunity to tell to an adult audience, many of whom "probably came to the program with some apprehension about storytelling for grownups." Linda also remembers that in the audience that night was Linda Goodman, who had recently moved here from the south, and who was "so pleased to find storytelling up north." In fact, Linda Goodman was so inspired that she decided then and there to become a storyteller herself; indeed, she has gone on to become a TELLABRATION producer as well.

Sara de Beer, who co-produced New Haven's first TELLABRATION, was "astonished at the size and enthusiasm of our audience that night." It made her newly excited about trying to produce more events for this crowd of eager listeners.

Sharon Lynch is another of the original producers who recalls that the size and the reaction of the audience was exciting. She says that while preparing for TELLABRATION, "it was refreshing to think about telling to adults." A veteran producer, Sharon reports that they have had many "repeats" in their audience each year, but also many first-timers.

In The Old Meeting House in Chester, Rosalind Hinman was co-producing the first TELLABRATION to have an interpreter for the hearing impaired. Ro says they had an audience of about 100 and "a lot of fun" as well. They had plenty of positive feedback, and everyone had a very good feeling about the evening.

Good news travels fast, and that's the way it has been with TELLABRATION. Every year has seen an increase in the number of places holding a TELLABRATION and in the number of listeners. In 1990, the National Storytelling Association became the official sponsor of the night of storytelling, and used its resources to promote the expansion of TELLABRATION. Last year there was a record 340 sites, including many in seven foreign countries. That snowball-like growth is astounding in view of the fact that only ten short years ago, TELLABRATION was merely a "wild dream."

Promoting the notion of storytelling as worthwhile entertainment for adults is the primary raison d'etre of TELLABRATION, but there are two other very important aspects of the TELLABRATION experience. One is its value as a fund raiser. Everybody who is involved with TELLABRATION - producers, storytellers, and all the others who help make each show a reality - donate their time and talent. The funds raised are used to help support local storytelling groups as well as state and national organizations. Other worthy causes have also benefited from funds raised by TELLABRATION productions over the ten year period of its existence. Last year, Toronto's proceeds went to a fund for books for children in rural areas of Kenya.

Another equally valuable function of TELLABRATION is that it serves as a showcase and a breeding ground for storytellers. Having well-known professional storytellers on a program helps to draw a crowd, and they, as well as those who aren't as well-known, benefit from the exposure. Many production groups encourage beginners to try their wings at TELLABRATION, and fledglings gain recognition and valuable experience not readily available anywhere else.

The word "grassroots" has been much used in connection with TELLABRATION, and it is an appropriate one. The dictionary defines grassroots as "the basic or fundamental source or support, as of a movement." Barbara Reed feels strongly that TELLABRATION is a grassroots movement in the sense that it is community based and should be styled to meet the needs of the community. Each site is unique, she believes, and therefore each production is unique. Each producing group must find the model that fits its own situation. Whether the setting is a large auditorium or a grand theater, whether it is a small coffee house or someone's living room, the purpose of TELLABRATION is the same: to bring people to storytelling.

TELLABRATION attracts people from all walks of life and from all cultures. Storytelling is not an elitist art form, nor does it require any advanced learning or specialized training to appreciate its performance. Indeed, no special training is required to participate in its performance - all human beings are storytellers. Perhaps that is why almost everybody enjoys listening to a good story when given the opportunity. It is the obligation of us in the storytelling community to insure that as many people as possible are given that opportunity. TELLABRATION is the ideal vehicle for fulfilling that obligation.

The history of TELLABRATION is still being written. Every year, more and more productions are taking place, and more and more new friends are being made. Each year, more people are finding out that storytelling is not just for children, and that there is great entertainment outside of television and movies. One '96 attendee was heard to remark, "This is cheaper than a movie and so much better."

Although TELLABRATION was originally held by every site on the same evening, it has now become a weekend event. Every production staff is allowed to choose the time during the weekend before Thanksgiving that works best for its audience. In Willimantic, we switched from Saturday evening to Sunday afternoon, because we had heard from a good many potential listeners that they'd love to come, but they just don't drive after dark anymore. It worked - we had our largest audience ever last year.

Anchorage, Alaska, featured a full day of children and family storytelling in conjunction with the evening's TELLABRATION. In Thailand, TELLABRATION was a two day festival, with more than 500 listeners in attendance!

There are intriguing stories galore coming from TELLABRATION producers around the globe. One of the most unusual is from Toronto. It seems that Gail Fricker had to travel to Japan to learn about TELLABRATION. Masako Sueyoshi told her about "this great event" and urged her to start one in Canada. She did more than that - she was so enthralled with the idea that when she traveled on to Kenya, she encouraged the storytellers there to host a TELLABRATION and so another country joined the ranks.

Margaret Read MacDonald may have best summed up the thoughts and feelings of many of us who have been part of TELLABRATION. Reporting on the Thailand event, she concluded with, "Thanks to NSA and J. G. Pinkerton for starting this all off! What remarkable fruit your tree is bearing!"

We can add, with honest pride, thanks also to the Connecticut Storytelling Center and to the (intrepid) pioneers who were the first organizers and producers. To expand on the tree metaphor, they were the ones who nurtured the seedling and made sure that it got off to a good start. The fruit is sweet indeed.