Joshua Whitehead is a second-year graduate student at ETSU and entered his first story slam with a friend a few years ago. They came up with their story just two hours before the show, and he has been in love with story slams ever since. What drew him to the event is exactly what keeps him involved: the realm of possibility when it comes to crafting a story.
Originally from Chicago, Illinois, Whitehead said in the last year he had to list five states on his tax return. While there is not a singular place he calls home, he says that by constantly moving from place to place, he always had to connect with new people. He found that the best way to do this was through storytelling.
“All I have is my experiences and my story, and that’s enough,” Whitehead said. “If I can share that, I can find a home no matter where I am.”
Whitehead has found that home in ETSU’s Department of Communication and Performance.
“Storytelling is all about connection and breaking down barriers,” he said. “I have learned that if I can tell someone a story, I can make them comfortable. It is a real compliment when someone comes up to you after a story slam and says they appreciate an aspect of your story. That is what breaks down barriers and allows us all to have a discussion.”
When asked about what he would tell students who were interested in story slams, there were so many things he wanted to say.
“Above all, the storytelling community is just that – a community,” he said. “You hear about experiences and get to hear different people’s perspectives. Storytelling unites communities, and if you are interested in telling your story, I promise there is someone out there who wants to hear it. And if you are still debating it, come listen to a story slam first.”
You can attend the next session in “Re-Generation: A Johnson City Story Slam” at JRH Brewing on Tuesday, Oct. 18 at 8 p.m. The theme for October will be “spooky” so bring your best scary, true tale and get slammin’.
