Glen Ellyn camp turns tweens into storytellers

Megan Stepniewski never thought she would enjoy telling stories.

Before 2002, she knew Marie Ringenberg only as the professional storyteller who would come to her elementary school on Fridays.

But in junior high, Stepniewski’s mother signed her up for a program in its first year at the Glen Ellyn Public Library: storytelling camp.

“To be honest, I wasn’t too thrilled,” Stepniewski says now. “Somehow I wound up really enjoying it.”

A decade later, she will return to the library as a mentor for the annual Prairie Trail Storytelling Camp and Festival.

After completing the initial program, Stepniewski said she went on to share her newfound love for storytelling with younger middle school students.

“As they grew in their knowledge and their wisdom of storytelling, they decided to come back each summer,” Ringenberg, who has been in charge of the storytelling camp since its inception, said of peer mentors like Stepniewski.

As the program celebrates its 10th year, Ringenberg, a Glen Ellyn resident, is grateful for the opportunities she has been able to provide blossoming storytellers.

Over the course of a week, students will hone their storytelling technique through activities concentrating on voice, body language and stage presence, Ringenberg said.

The camp runs from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. today through Friday, June 20 to 24, at the Glen Ellyn Public Library, 400 Duane St., and is designed for sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade students.

The program’s format encourages students to explore the spoken word, regardless of experience level.

“The wonderful thing about storytelling is that you don’t have to be perfect,” Ringenberg said, quoting Alabama storyteller Kathryn Tucker Windham. “It’s OK if you make a mistake. The audience doesn’t mind a bit.”

Ringenberg plans to introduce this year’s group of students to Windham’s work and philosophy as a tribute to the renowned storyteller who died Sunday, June 12.

From Day One, students will be immersed in stories, both written and oral. After that, Ringenberg believes “the magic of storytelling and stories takes over.”

While some believe storytelling to be an increasingly lost art, the 20 to 30 students enrolled in the library’s program each year are out to prove otherwise.

The camp is free, though participants must register in advance and are expected to attend every session.

One of the largest goals Ringenberg and her team of mentors focus on is to teach campers how storytelling is different from theater.

“We break down that fourth wall,” Ringenberg said. “That’s why storytelling is so exciting. Each performance is different. It’s tailored to your audience.”

After five days of prepping their stories and priming their skills, campers will perform as part of a Storytelling Festival from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday, June 26.

This summer, the camp will have seven high school or college-age mentors, all of whom have passed through the program and continue to pursue storytelling. Ringenberg said sometimes she does not even perform at the festival because “the kids just want to tell.”

“I used to be extremely shy and I think if it wasn’t for this program I would still be in my shell,” Stepniewski said. “I love being able to get the kids to come out and be a little crazy sometimes.”

The camp is partially funded by the Community Arts Access Regranting Program through the Illinois Arts Council, as well as by the Hinsdale Center for the Arts and the Northland Storytelling Network.

“It’s an opportunity for them to discover and to play, to be different from who they are in school,” Ringenberg said. “It nurtures a creative spirit in them and gives them a unique experience.”

Storytelling is not just kid’s stuff. The library and camp organizers encourage one and all to come out and enjoy the talent showcased at the Storytelling Festival.

“It’s for the childlike imagination in all of us, no matter how old we become,” Ringenberg said.

Storytelling Festival

<B>When:</B> 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday, June 26

<B>Where:</B> Glen Ellyn Public Library, 400 Duane St.

<B>Cost:</B> Free

<B>Info:</B> <a href="http://gepl.org/">gepl.org </a>