I asked Jackson to share with us what his recent experiences of "Storyteller in Residence" have been like and this was his response...

I took a term off from COA to study mime with Tony Montanaro and years later, that proved to be a pivotal experience.  I recently participated again in "Phyzgig" - Portland's Festival of Physical Comedy, as a featured performer and emcee.  I encourage people to watch for this week-long event at the end of every December.  The shows are a blast and different every day.  I resurrected one of my most acrobatic sketches, which had been shelved for ten years after knee surgery. I am proud that even after turning fifty, the routine with a new gymnastic move is back in fine form.

Most of my new repertoire is in a music and comedy vein these days, but higher-profile venues have been bringing me back to my storytelling roots. I was the Teller-in-Residence at the International Storytelling Center in Tennessee for a week this past summer.  I was asked to describe what that was like for this e-newsletter.  Basically, I was the ambassador for the Center doing a daily matinee, as well as some other shows in the area at other times during the week.  The audiences are primed for storytelling and the new theater was especially designed for intimate performances. Consequently, performing there is a breeze.  While I was there, I had a nice surprise visit from fellow alum, David Winship ('77), who came over from Virginia.

Of more colorful interest to me is the privilege of being Rudyard-in-Residence at Kipling's historic Brattleboro, Vermont home for the past six years.  For a week each April and November, I take up residence at "Naulakha" which means "jewel beyond price."  This architectural marvel has been faithfully restored to what it looked like 105 years ago, and it is a joy just to be there.  Framing the presentation as Kipling himself, I perform a selection of "Just So Stories" in the very place where he wrote them for his own "Best Beloved."  Three groups a day come to tour the house, most often elementary school classrooms, but some historical societies as well.  Groups are usually small enough that I can invite others along. 

Despite being a product of an Imperialistic culture, there is much to admire and love about Kipling.  With an ink pen, working four hours a day, six days a week, he became one of the most published authors who ever lived. When his morning work was done, he'd spend the rest of the day at leisure, often outdoors as an avid sportsman.  He traveled extensively and was an inordinately curious sponge who absorbed much of other people and cultures. His playfulness and love for his children made it that much more heartbreaking when he had to endure tragic losses.  Though he intended to live out his years in Vermont, after living there four years, painful reminiscences prompted him to never return.  Thirty-six volumes of his work remain in the house, along with many accoutrements that made him consider the house "a toy" as well as jewel.  The same could be said for my feelings about this favorite semi-annual gig which I am often able to share with my own "Best Beloveds."
   
And speaking of little ones - while I started out performing for adults, and still do, I find myself performing for the younger set more frequently than before.  I used to shy away from pre-schoolers, but since having two myself and understanding them better, I now welcome those audiences as well.  Of course, that repertoire has to all be in a participatory vein, but as Teller-in-Residence in my own home, I have plenty of opportunity to try out new songs and routines!

And on a commercial note, if anyone knows of a function that could benefit from some comic relief and/or inspirational message, please keep me in mind.  I specialize in customizing songs, comedy and stories to suit any event -- business, community, whatever.  Feel free to check www.jacksongillman.com for show descriptions, references and a story page.