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By Bill Zarchy, on March 17th, 2019 
She looked at me, wide-eyed, with a big smile. I knew that getting stuck in an elevator was one of her worst fears.
In case you missed the live show (or can’t wait to see it again!), here’s the video of my story, “The Elevator in Rome,” from Tell It On Tuesday at The Marsh in Berkeley last month. Storytelling in the oral tradition. No notes, no text.
Closed captions available. Just click on CC near the bottom of the player.
The written version of this story won a Gold Certificate at the Solas Awards for Travel Writing in 2017. Thanks to Dex Craig for the video.
By Bill Zarchy, on July 25th, 2018 
I gave a talk on Storytelling at my 50th Dartmouth College Reunion last month. Following is the text of my ten-minute introduction. If you want to see the whole, one-hour presentation, including video clips and stories, click on the video player below. Closed Captions (CC) available.
I never wanted to be a performer … until I discovered storytelling.
About two-and-a-half years ago, a friend of mine had a gig playing classical guitar at The Marsh, a club in Berkeley that was hosting a monthly storytelling night called Tell It On Tuesday. She urged me to come along. After she finished playing, five people, all roughly my age, stood up in turn and told stories. . . . CONTINUE READING: A Storytelling Journey
By Bill Zarchy, on April 25th, 2018 
One-Man Solo Storytelling Soirée Salon
4/20/18 at Silk Road House, Berkeley, California
I guess gratuitous self-promotion pays off, eh? Every single chair was in use. I was so pleased with the turnout and the enthusiasm of the audience, even if most of them were friends!
They laughed a lot, usually at appropriate moments, and applauded each story. What fun!
Part 2 includes these stories:
- “FDR: Fear Itself”
- “Evelyn’s Story: Alex and the Cole Porter Show”
- “Mendocino: The Essence of Nature”
- “Snow Story: The Moon and Dr. Zhivago”
. . . CONTINUE READING: BILLY SOLO Video — Part 2
By Bill Zarchy, on April 25th, 2018 
One-Man Solo Storytelling Soirée Salon
4/20/18 at Silk Road House, Berkeley, California
My solo storytelling show last Friday was amazing, a real peak experience!
What a fun evening! I had a terrific time and feel wonderful about having challenged myself like that. I did eight stories, about 75-80 minutes of material in all.
The place was packed. About 48 people in a medium-smallish room.
Part 1 includes these stories:
- “Anansi”
- “Dog Years: Pop, Sophie, and the West Wing”
- “The Seven Lies”
- “Chartres: Ecstasy at the Altar”
. . . CONTINUE READING: BILLY SOLO Video — Part 1
By Bill Zarchy, on April 4th, 2018 
Friday, April 20th at 7 pm
Silk Road House, 1944 University Avenue #107, Berkeley (6-minute walk from Downtown Berkeley BART)
Tickets are ON SALE NOW: http://bit.ly/billysolo
OR Go to zarchy.eventbrite.com . . . CONTINUE READING: BILLY SOLO: One-man, One-hour Storytelling Soirée Salon with BILL ZARCHY
By Bill Zarchy, on January 19th, 2018 
(Loosely inspired by a tall and nearly true tale)
Jake rushed through the door—sweaty and disheveled—to find Al playing solitaire in the main lodge.
“Al! I just had a moose encounter,” said Jake. “Up on Bacon Ridge. It was pretty great, dude. Wait’ll I tell the guys at home about this.”
“Was it sweet and chocolatey?”
“No, dipshit! Not that kind of moose, with a U! Moose with two O’s, like Bullwinkle. Huge, with antlers. I just saw one.”
“Tell me.”
“I grabbed my camera, hiked to the top, then took a few snaps, looking down at the ranch in the fall foliage. It was right purdy, pardner.” . . . CONTINUE READING: Moose Encounter
By Bill Zarchy, on March 19th, 2017 
About two years ago, I went to a storytelling event at The Marsh in Berkeley and watched six people tell six very different stories. Some personal, some historical, all about 10-15 minutes long.
My first reaction: I can do that.
Little did I know.
The tellers were all from Stagebridge, a Senior Theatre Company housed in an old church in Oakland, so I started taking storytelling classes there. Stagebridge also offers courses in acting, directing, singing, dancing, and many other kinds of performance. It’s the only “senior” thing I’ve ever done. But close friends, both recently retired psychologists, have found new passions in performance at Stagebridge, and, so I dove in.
. . . CONTINUE READING: A Writer’s Debut As a Storyteller
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Written, Designed and Produced by Bill Zarchy -