In the fall of 1989, after taking two Oral Narrative
University courses, Rita Grimaldi was inspired to request space in Trent
University‘s Sadlier House for a monthly storytelling gathering. The group met
under the name of The Peterborough Storytelling Guild. In 1992, Kate Jarrett
joined Rita as a founding organizer of the group. Between 1992 and 2008,
monthly meetings continued at various locations around the city that offered
space to community groups. The number of participants ranges from 8 to 10
people.
Public storytelling performances by the Peterborough
Storytellers took place at the Peterborough Folk Festival between 1992 and 1999
and individual members also performed at public venues like First Night, the Ecology
Park and the Peterborough Museum.
In 2008, the Peterborough Storytellers (the word ‘Guild’
was dropped from the name) began to meet in the auditorium of the Peterborough
Library. This fantastic support by the library allowed the growth of a larger
audience (between 14 and 30 people) and range of tellers. In 2009, an
educational segment was added to the beginning of each meeting. This allowed
the Peterborough Storytellers to support their three part aim of - Listen, Learn and Tell.
A small group of active tellers directs the planning of
activities and continued growth of Peterborough Storytellers. In 2012, they
are: Rita Grimaldi, Betty Bennett, Angelica Ottewill, Hermione Revision, Diana
Primavesi and Don Herald.
Author: R. Grimaldi
August, 2012
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