The Patchwork Players returned to the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles today to reprise “A Hero's Journey”, a story we wrote and performed for the Getty nearly 2 years ago. The Getty is one of the worlds finest museums, and it was a treat to be asked back. A few years ago the Getty undertook an ambitious project; to hire professional storytellers to create an original story, based on a work in their collection. Then, to have the tellers tell their tale in the gallery with the piece there. They began their process by hiring teller Debra Olsen-Toller who did two stories based on paintings for them. They next got us to come and create our story, which we based on a beautiful French chandelier in the dec-art gallery. Then they brought in Angela Lloyd, who told a story about the painting 'Chance and Fortune'. The Getty then chose energetic teller Michael McCarty who told a powerful story about a bust of an African Man in the statuary gallery. We are so proud to be in that talented company, and to be asked back to tell our tale again and meet up with friends old and new.
We told our story four times today, and we had some wonderful audiences. As part of our show, we explain that we searched the galleries, closely observing many pieces, to find stories. After one of our shows, a couple of young girls came up to Patti to say that they believed one of the pieces in the gallery, 'Self Portrait, Yawning', may be one of the characters in our story! They had a couple of more theories about different stories for that painting. Well, part of our mission in telling stories at museums is to get folks to engage with the art. For these two girls at least, we have done that job.
Some of the highlights of our day: As we wandered through the plaza, we heard a little girl exclaim “Look, it's the storytellers”. Patti thought that maybe she had seen us last time we told at the Getty. But James was not so sure. She did not look old enough to remember us from almost two years ago. Later she and her mother came to hear our performance. Afterwards, this sweet little thing came up and asked us if we ever told stories at the San Diego Museum of Art. We had! Recently we told at their Pirates and Princesses Festival in their Maxfield Parrish Gallery. “See mom, I told you it was them”.
That show was a hundred and fifty miles away. And, we were in Renaissance costumes at that event. Wow, the feeling of celebrity! And what a lucky kid, to have folks who take her to storytelling events at some of the worlds best museums. Good job parents!
After another telling, we were approached by Amber, who had come with her husband to hear our tale. “Where can I by the book that tells that story?” she asked. Sadly, there is no book...yet! But what a great idea. We also learned that she is an illustrator, recently moves to California from the South West. We told her we are looking for an illustrator for our forthcoming 'Baby Coyote' book. Maybe something will develop there.
Then there was another adult listener, Marge. She is working on her teaching credential. As part of that process, she will be writing a paper on what she learned from our performance and how it will impact her teaching. Good luck Marge.
The Getty Center staff is wonderful. We were glad to see our buddy Hank at the Coat check area. He is the one who gave our Griffin puppet his first name, Merv as in, Merv Griffin;-) The security officers are terrific. Today we had Marcus. It is no small job to keep everyone from touching all of the fine furniture in the gallery where we are telling. And to keep the kids from sticking the “Getty” stickers on places that should not be stuck.
There is so much more to tell about friends, food (by the way, the Getty cafeteria is top notch!) and fine art. But we will be back at the Getty again in November, December and January, so we will save some for later.
Today we attended an informative workshop with Professional Speaker (and storyteller) Arvee Robinson (http://www.instantprospeaker.com/). We spent the morning working on our personal introduction. You know, when someone says "what do you do?" and we say "storytellers", folks don't really know what that means. The picture that conjures is a librarian, sitting in a chair, reading to a group of four-year-olds. That does not really speak to all that we do. So today we got some great ideas on how to tell people who we are and what we do in a 10 second greeting. Thanks Arvee, you gave us a lot to think about.
