Students Share "The Art of Storytelling"

Students from Fairmont State University’s “The Art of Storytelling” course have the opportunity to present storytelling programming for the community.

Students presented an evening of stories at the Frank and Jane Gabor West Virginia Folklife Center at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 16. The story line-up included folktales, fairytales and stories from the Dr. Ruth Ann Musick collection. The stories were appropriate for listeners ages 8 and older. The performers were Jordan Armstrong, Pam Chatman, Daniel Forrest, Jared Moats, Emily Robbins, Jenny Secure, Coty Sheme, Anita Rosser, Leah Yoho and Thomas Zweyer. Admission to the performance was free and open to the public. Donations to the Frank and Jane Gabor West Virginia Folklife Center were accepted. 

The storytelling concert is one of several performances given by the members of the class. On Friday, Oct. 31, Coty Sheme, Emily Robbins, Pam Chatman and Dr. Francene Kirk performed at Blackshere Elementary School in Mannington as part of that school’s student reward day. 

“The third- and fourth-graders at Blackshere were such a wonderful audience; they were so engaged with the stories,” said Kirk, the course instructor. “My students were a little nervous at first, but as soon as they saw the children, their nerves went out the window and they concentrated on telling the story.  We were thrilled to be there.”  

“The Art of Storytelling” is offered through the Department of Communication and Theatre Arts and is cross-listed as a course in Theatre, Communication and Folklore Studies. Students enrolled in the course attend National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, Tenn. The course will next be offered in fall 2017.  For information about “The Art of Storytelling,” call Dr. Francene Kirk at (304) 367-4170. 

Francene KirkThe Art of StorytellingFolklife CenterSchool of Fine ArtsCommunication & Theatre Arts