Friday, the festival's first full day, isn't a warm-up for the extended weekend. The story engine turns over immediately in the morning and purrs reliably through the festival's closing performances on Sunday afternoon. Storytelling is low-tech entertainment with high impact. No laser lights slice back and forth across the stages. No monster speakers boom across the crowds.
Performers stand on a low platform at the front of each tent under the beams of modest spotlights.
Only a microphone separates the storyteller and the listeners. Talented, emerging storytellers are also invited to encourage future generations of yarnspinners. Among them in October was witty Shelly Kneupper of Colleyville. Tellers may use movement and vocal expression, but storytelling isn't acting. Actors pretend the audience isn't there.