Local storytellers tell true, unscripted Christmas stories | Arts & Culture

Dozens of people gathered in the basement of Crosstown Arts last weekend to listen to unscripted, true stories told by seven raconteurs.

“The holiday themed stories were all beautiful and very different. The night started with a story from a former professional ballet dancer who talked about her experience dancing the Nutcracker in Boston for many holiday seasons,” said Spillit creator Leah Keys.

Spillit is a storytelling series based in Memphis and is dedicated the art and craft of storytelling.

Spillit hosts true stories from the teller's own life.

They are stories of coincidences, failures, heroes, successes, family, travel, tragedies, special people and places.

Stories last around 10 minutes.

“I started Spillit because I believe that everyone has stories and when we tell them to one another we create a beautiful shared experience. It is our instinct as humans to share our stories because they affirm our common system of values,” said Keys.

The latest Spillit season had a holiday theme.

According to Keys, the storytellers hit a wide range of emotions by sharing everything from heartbreaking to humorous stories.

Some stories were contemplative, one woman shared a story about the last Christmas with her father and the complicated nature of his alcoholism.

Whereas another storyteller told a hilarious and heartfelt story about Christmas with his large family. His parents constantly took in foster children so Christmas morning was never dull with anywhere between seven to 13 children.

“The assignment that storytellers take on is challenging, to construct a true story from their own life with a beginning, middle, end and keep it around ten minutes. Then to tell it in front of a crowd of 100 people takes a lot of courage. I applaud them, as they have all been fantastic,” said  Keys.

Spillit’s first event was last May, Key’s goal for the 2013 season is to not charge admission.

There is less than a week to donate to her Kickstarter campaign. Click here to watch the video and pledge.

Admission is currently $10 a person which pays the venue cost.

Spillit events are held quarterly, 90 to 100 people attended the latest event.