News Taffy

I love a good story. Who doesn’t, right? I just wrapped up an 8-week storytelling class at The Peoples Improv Theater fine tuning my own skills. The class at The Pit was recommended by a friend and I am so glad I signed up for it. I had some reservations at first, but once I had my first class under my belt, I knew I was hooked.

I’ve spent the last eight weeks in a three-hour class on Monday night learning about the art. Yes, there is one! If you’ve ever been cornered by someone who goes on and on and one when they tell you a story, you can appreciate a fine tuned, to the point story when you hear one.

Just like any class you take, the instructors are essential in the learning experience. David Crabb and Michelle Walson taught my class. They were simply amazing, giving on the spot feedback and pointers. On our first night of class, everyone had to stand up and tell about their first kiss or the first time they were seriously injured. I couldn’t recalll any exciting details of my first kiss - which is sad really, but funny when I think back on it. So I opted to tell the story of when I was injured at a track meet in the 8th grade.

I went into detail about how I never finished my 100-yard-dash on a newly asphalt paved track in England, Arkansas. I came crashing down about 40 yards into the race as I slid across the track. To this day, I still have specks of asphalt in my left knee! The story was okay, but after wrapping up my class, I’ve learned a lot about how to set he scene, build the stakes and add some funny details and even a joke or two that might actually make people laugh!

As part of the class, we had to participate in a class show which was held at The Pit theater on East 24th Street. We had a nice sized crowd and I kicked off the show. So there was no time for nerves to screw with my head! I took the stage and told my tale of explaining the “F” word to Corbin. I’ve been talking about this story and have actually shared it on the “Tales From the South” radio show that is broadcast on the NPR station KUAR in Little Rock.

You can watch me tell the story in the You Tube link that is posted over on the right hand side of this post.

I am so happy that I took this class. I’ve found a new outlet to share some of my crazy adventures and experiences with you and who ever else wants to hear them. There are a lot of place in New York City with open mic story telling events and I plan on hitting them in the weeks ahead. I’m also going to take the second part of the story telling class in September. As I’ve said, before - friends and family, consider yourself warned! I will change names in order to protect the innocent, though! If you have a class you’ve been thinking about taking or a new skill you want to learn, I HIGHLY encourage you to just do it! You can think about doing it or you can take some action and DO IT! I vote for action. Let me know what you decide!

You can keep up with DJ’s adventures in the Big Apple by following her on Twitter @mrsdjduckworth and on Facebook at I Am DJ Duckworth. She’s got some great photos on Instagram, too. DJ is a contributing writer for New York Family magazine. She lives in Manhattan with her two boys and her wiener dog, Leo - woof, woof.