Interview with intern Rachel Simon

1. What is your favorite all time story - literary, film, ballet, musical? Why?

My favorite all time story is Beauty and the Beast. I have loved fairy tales since I was a little girl, but this story has stuck out the most. It was the first Broadway show I ever saw in New York City. I think it also stuck with me because it taught me that love was underneath; it’s important to love a person's personality instead of just their looks.

2. When did you first become aware of storytelling as a phenomenon?

You know...I'm not quite sure. I've been "telling tales" since I was about 5 years old. My mom still has a story I told her when I was 5, so I always associate 5 years old as being the first time I was aware of storytelling.

3. When did you first become aware of storytelling as an art form?

You know...I'm not really sure. I've always been telling stories and writing stories since I was little, so for me it has always been an art form. 

5. What is the biggest surprise for you at massmouth?

I think the biggest surprise, so far, at massmouth is how frustrating it seems to book a school or event. I think that I thought it was less of a struggle to book a free event than a paid one, but I guess not.

6.What was your fondest dream for your internship?

My fondest dream for my internship is that I will understand how important oral storytelling is. I'm a Creative Writing major and while we talk about oral stories like The Odyssey, we read them in written form. I think it is important to recognize how written stories got their start -- by being told verbally!

7. What do you think, hope, and dream you will do with storytelling?

I hope that I can have an effect on someone; that they will gather the strength to tell their own story or be able to resolve, with words, their own issues. I think stories have a powerful effect on people and they are helpful to hear and understand. Stories and storytelling is a way to help spark an idea or resolve a problem or issue someone may be having. I have heard so many stories where I am grateful the person is telling it; I have felt that way too.

12. Your question?

I am always so bad at making up my own questions! But I guess the question for myself is not a question, but a reminder to push myself farther than I'd like to and hopefully get the courage to tell my own story at one of massmouth's story slams or school events. I get very shy when I am on stage performing -- which is funny because I used to be a dancer and I never felt freer on a stage just dancing -- but I need to remind myself that someone else is going to recognize something in my story and then maybe go on to tell their own story. I am also so excited to be a part of massmouth's team and being your intern! Thank you so much for having me, Norah, I already love this internship. I keep calling up my mom to tell her how much fun the day was. I look forward to everything!

Rachel Simon is the Spring 2012 intern at massmouth. She is a senior at Lesley University, studying Creative Writing. She has been telling stories in one form or another since she was five.