PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — As its Once Upon a Nation storytelling program reaches its 18th season, Historic Philadelphia looks for the next generation of storytellers, with a contest for kids underway.
“I think I will tell a story about a top secret spy meeting that happened here within Philadelphia,” storyteller Lucy Fletcher told her guests on an Old City bench.
“It’s a cold night, December, 1775 and there’s about to be a … top secret meeting inside a Carpenter’s Hall. One man is already inside — Francis Damon, the star of our story,” she began, setting the tone.
“The meeting begins, the men speak in careful diplomatic tones, sizing one another up to see if the men could be trusted.”
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Once Upon a Nation storytelling benches are situated throughout Philadelphia’s historic district. Storytellers have guests sit with them as they bring history to life, with free stories about real people and events that occurred in the city.
Historic Philadelphia Inc. is the nonprofit that runs the program. Its president and CEO Amy Needle says kids ages 8 to 12 can get a chance to learn the art of storytelling thanks to their new Future Storytellers contest.
Those interested can write and submit a 50 to 200 word story of a historic hero or heroine by this coming Friday, July 21 (extended from its original deadline of July 17). The children selected will come to Philadelphia on August 5. They’ll be paired with a professional storyteller, learn some dramatic techniques and tell their story from one of the Once Upon a Nation benches.
“If your kids love history, if your kids love acting, this is a great opportunity for them,” said Needle.
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