The Kentucky Storytelling Association has named Daviess County High School senior Kaytlyn Meyer as one of five Torchbearers for 2019-20.
Being a Kentucky Storytelling Association’s Torchbearer means that Meyer will attend storytelling festivals throughout the year where she will perform stories as well as listen to other storytellers.
“As wild as it sounds, my dream is to be a performer,” Meyer said. “Whether that be on a big screen or on a stage, storytelling and acting are preparing me for my future.”
At DCHS, Meyer has competed in the Kentucky Theatre Association competition where her team was regional runner up and she won all-star cast individually at the state competition. Meyer is also a member of the speech and debate team and recently won second place in storytelling. She is also an officer in her thespian troupe.
Meyer’s theatre teacher at DCHS, Karen Feldhaus told Meyer about the torchbearer application, but Meyer said it was the video component of the application was most difficult because she had to perform a seven to 10-minute story and record it, something she had never done.
“I performed the story a million times before shooting it, so I knew what to expect and how to perform it,” Meyer said. “I had to learn how to differentiate the projection of my voice from stage [where she had previously performed live for judges] to video.”
Meyer gained confidence to speak in front of others and to work as a team through theatre and her involvement in Bluegrass Children’s Theatre, a nonprofit organization that tours and performs children’s plays.
“When I discovered acting and storytelling, it just felt right. I was able to be whoever I wanted to be,” Meyer said. “I was able to escape from real life. I never thought it would be something that I would grow to rely on, but now that I’m 17 and thinking about my future, I can’t see myself doing anything other than performing. It’s always been there for me, and will continue to be in years to come.”
The Kentucky Youth Storytelling competition is a yearly statewide event meant to develop, encourage and highlight the talent of young storytellers ages 7-17. Winners receive a plaque, membership in the KSA and reimbursement for festival travel where they are performing. More information is available at www.kystory.org.
