Locals can perform at this year's Storytelling Festival in downtown Cape

More than a dozen amateur storytellers will perform along with professionals at the third annual Cape Girardeau Storytelling Festival from April 9 to 11. This year's festival will feature a "Swapping Ground," giving local storytellers an opportunity to show off their skills.

"Over the last two years we've gotten a lot of interest from local people and those coming from outside the area to attend the festival wanting to perform here," said Joel Rhodes, co-producer of the Storytelling Festival and a history professor at Southeast Missouri State University.

"This gives them the opportunity to take the stage, try their hand at storytelling and eventually maybe get discovered and make a career out of it," Rhodes said.

Storyteller Barbara McBride-Smith Tulsa Okla., impersonates Sampson while telling the Bible story of Sampson Friday, April 3, 2009, at the Storytelling Festival. (Elizabeth Dodd)

In previous years, organizers maintained a strict policy to hire only established performers they'd seen perform at other festivals.

Storytelling performances will take place in two tents, one at Southeast's River Campus and a second at the parking lot on the corner of Main and Merriwether streets.

Hourlong "Swapping Ground" performances will be at noon and 3 p.m. April 10 in the Merriwether tent. Tellers should sign up in advance by e-mailing Joyce Slater at slatertales@kc.rr.com. Individual presentations are limited to 10 minutes each.

Six professional storytellers will perform during sessions at various times throughout the day and evening, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. April 9 and 10, and 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. April 11.

Performers are:

Donald Davis, featured storyteller at The Smithsonian Institution;

Syd Lieberman, who has received awards from American Library Association, Parent's Choice and Storytelling World;

Kevin Kling, known for his commentaries on National Public Radio's "All Things Considered";

Minton Sparks, who has recorded two CDs featuring her blend of music, poetry and storytelling;

Priscilla Howe, a storyteller since 1993 who has performed in English, French and Bulgarian; and

Marilyn Kinsella, storyteller at the Edwardsville Public Library in Edwardsville, Ill.

With just over a week until the Storytelling Festival, ticket sales are even with last year.

"With the bulk of our local advertising coming next week, we expect it to be a very busy week," said Betty Roth, administrative assistant at the Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Last year more than 3,000 people, including more than 2,000 students, attended the three-day event in downtown Cape Girardeau.

For the first time this year, people may purchase tickets online at www.capestorytelling.com or on the festival's Facebook page. Tickets also are available at the bureau office at 400 Broadway or by calling 800-777-0068.

Cost for a three-day pass is $30 for adults and $20 for students ages 6 through college. A one-day pass is $20 for adults and $10 for students. Family passes, which include two adult and four children's passes, are available for $110.

Organizers hope for a bigger crowd at the 2010 festival as a result of new Internet marketing efforts on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. The Storytelling Festival's Facebook page, started in February, now has nearly 700 fans.

More than 100 Southeast Missouri State University students assisted in the efforts as part of their marketing and communications classes or student organization activities, said Stephanie Lynch, director of public relations and marketing for the Convention and Visitors Bureau.

"This outreach between the university and the CVB gives students hands-on experience. They can say, 'We did this, and it helped this event,'" Lynch said.

She also hopes the partnership will result in increased attendance at the Storytelling Festival by Southeast's students.

Funding for the Storytelling Festival comes from a variety of sources including a $2,000 grant from the Missouri Arts Council, sponsorships from local businesses, and ticket and merchandise sales.

mmiller@semissourian.com

388-3646

Pertinent addresses:

200 Morgan Oak St., Cape Girardeau

100 Main St., Cape Girardeau, MO

400 Broadway, Suite 100, Cape Girardeau, MO