Our parents told them to us; stories from when they were a kid, and we tell stories throughout our daily lives while trying to connect to others. However, to be able to share your story on stage with complete strangers watching your every move is beyond incredible, and this is just what the Secret Society of Twisted Storytellers does.
First time attendees are all referred to as “virgins”. Never before had I been to such an inspiring event. In the heart of Detroit at the Charles H Wright Museum, I found myself at home. The scent of popcorn wafted through the air as I entered the rotunda. Being the curious person that I am, I walked over to a jewelry stand in which a ring caught my eye, as it resembled a camera. I began to talk to the jeweler about my passion, which is photography, and decided to purchase the curious ring. Before I knew it, the show was about to start.
I found myself in the theatre of the museum, which was dimly lit and full of energy.
With a warm welcome from our host of the evening, Satori Shakoor, the night I will never forget had begun. With a beautiful performance done by none other than the Detroit School of The Arts Dance Department, I was blown away by the beauty of the choreography. After the act was finished, the storytelling had begun! First up was the brave Terry Shulman. From the first words he spoke to the last, my eyes and ears were focused on his breathtaking story. Speaking from the heart about his alcoholic father and troubled childhood with a desire for his fathers acceptance, I found to be a very relatable story. After hearing about how he also struggled with stealing time after time, I felt a sense of sadness for him. That was not the end. After all he had gone through, he had been clean for over 15 years from stealing, which was a huge inspiration for all. Terry’s story showed me that it was possible to overcome such life challenges and left me feeling encouraged.
Next up to tell another fantastic story was Shannon Casem. By talking about prayer, and the power behind it, I found his heartfelt words and the way he spoke very moving. Along with that, he spoke of the 24 hour prayer session and how it meant so much to him and his friend, Dr. Ben, whose laugh was “like no other.” After Dr. Ben got into an accident, Shannon Casem spoke of how his faith was becoming more and more spread out and he began to wonder “why can’t I heal Dr. Ben?” In the end, Casem came back to his roots and his faith in prayer restored.
The next storyteller was Heather Kozlakowski. I found her to be bubbly and peppy; her energy made me smile. Heather spoke of her “not-boyfriend who didn’t love her” and her ultimate realization that true love begins with self respect. Heather mixed emotional subjects with humor to make her experience enjoyable and relatable.
After mingling and shopping during intermission, we were thrilled for the second half as Satori Shakoor was back at it again, making the crowd go wild with her sparkling sense of humor. The next story came from Emmy Jackson. With a quiet and sweet demeanor, Emmy went on about the various cars that detailed his life, road trips he had taken across the country, and the soothing power of long car rides, driving buses, and his connection to them that helped him to overcome his wife’s accident.
I waited in anticipation for the next story when Dana Lynn Cleveland walked onto stage. Dana was no ordinary woman. She claimed to feel things that most people can’t, going beyond the 5 senses. She explained to us how it was both a blessing and a curse to have these feelings, but especially difficult as a child. I fell quickly into her story and through her words, could picture her struggle. I felt empathy for her, but I also found it inspiring what she did with her gift.
After a night of full of feelings and compassion, laughter and tears and everything in between, I wouldn’t have wanted to be anywhere else that night. I have to give credit to those who tell stories, It’s an art in of itself, and I have a greater knowledge and respect toward it, can proudly say I am no longer a storytelling virgin. Make sure you’re there at the next performance on Friday, February 20th at 8:00pm at the Charles H. Wright Museum and experience for yourself the Secret Society of Twisted Storytellers.
Click here to be introduced to the Secret Society of Twisted Storytellers