One Mic, Many Stories
The Magic of Rabbit Box
By Kristen Soles McCrackin | Photos courtesy of Rabbit Box
Live storytelling platforms enable the real-time creation and sharing of narratives, often incorporating interactive elements and audience engagement. These stroytelling platforms are used for various purposes, including accounting personal stories, creating educational content and fostering community. In recent years, this type of social art and entertainment has gained popularity in local communities nationwide.
Executive Director Narke Norton describes Athen’s Rabbit Box as a non-profit focusing on local storytelling. He explains, “We were actually inspired by The Moth, which is a nationally recognized storytelling platform.” He says the name “Rabbit Box” is derived from one of local artist Vic Chestnut’s albums.
Upon its founding in 2012, Rabbit Box originally met at the Avid Bookshop, but sustained growth through the years forced the group to keep upsizing its venues until finally landing at the Veterans of Foreign (VFW) Wars Post 2872, where it currently hosts 70 to 90 guests each month.
Attending a gathering goes something like this. You arrive at 6:00 p.m. and pay the $10 entry fee. If you choose, dinner is available from Tricia’s Office for a reasonable $13 for a meat, two sides and a piece of bread. Norton notes that Tricia’s Office owner, Latricia Gaston, also prepares vegan and vegetarian meals and offers desserts.
Stories begin at 7:00 p.m. and feature approximately seven slated storytellers who orate on a particular theme the planners have chosen for the evening. Norton emphasizes, “No props, no notes. Just you, your voice and the audience.”
During a fifteen-minute intermission, patrons may put their names in the “rabbit box” for the surprise storyteller role. “While full-time storytellers receive eight minutes max, a surprise storyteller will have four minutes to simply give it their best,” says Norton.
He says that after that, everyone helps put the community space back in order, and then they wrap up until the fourth Tuesday of the following month. Meetings run from September to May, skipping December due to the holidays.
Storytellers come from all walks of life, spanning all ages and careers. About 65% tend to be newcomers, with a core 35% of regular attendees. If you want to check out the scene as a first-timer, chances are you’ll be in good company!
You can join Rabbit Box on the fourth Tuesday of the month at 6 p.m. at the VFW, 835 Sunset Drive.
Learn more at rabbitbox.org.