Putting It Together, Part Five – What It Takes to Make a Radio Play
People often ask where we get our ideas for themes for the Radio Show. Some of the themes come from our annual potluck where the StoryTown Players, writers, and Story Brigade members gather to plan the upcoming season. In fact, this month’s theme of “Workaday World” came from our planning meeting this past January. Other themes are tied to specific months, like Black History Month and Women’s History Month. And some themes are tied to places. In 2025, we’ll be doing a special edition sharing memories of the Jackson Theatre in the Jackson Theatre.
Along with the theme, people ask how we find the stories to go with the themes. The StoryTown Initiative has been around for over ten years and during that time the Story Brigade has collected a wealth of oral histories and narratives from the Jonesborough community. These audio files are transcribed for easy use. Our staff here at the McKinney Center search those archives for stories that fit the theme.
Story collecting is never done, though, and the Story Brigade is always on a mission to find new people to interview. Think you don’t have a story? You would be wrong. We all have a story. Maybe you didn’t go to space or raise ten kids, but you overcame some kind of adversity, experienced the first day of school, had a meaningful relationship, etc. Some of the stories in our September “Workaday World” show come from 35 interviews that were collected from 35 residents of Jonesborough for the “Living Here” exhibit. Their stories about what it’s like to work in pizza delivery, as a journalist, a small business owner, and as a talent scout for a baseball team show that even what we do everyday is a story in itself. This exhibit will be on display during the show as a special bonus.
Musical guests for the September 23rd show are the David Crockett Madrigal Singers. They are always a fan favorite. We’ll also have storyteller Laura Simms joining us. Come to the show and think about the stories you have to share from your life. We’d love to hear them. And who knows, you might just see them onstage someday.
“Workaday World” takes to the stage live on Monday, September 23rd at 7:00 pm at the McKinney Center. Tickets are available at Jonesborough.com/tickets or by phone at 423.753.1010. This show is sponsored by the Olde Towne Pancake House.