Writers at Woody Point: As I Begin to Tell This

As I Begin to Tell This is an oral history podcast celebrating 20 seasons of literature and music at Woody Point Heritage Theatre, with production by Avery Moore Kloss, Folktale Studio, additional recording by Olivia Ball, and music by Kyleigh Brisson and Duane Andrews. Recorded at Max’s shed, owned by the celebrated Max Simms, behind the festival live sound, the podcast features long-form interviews with festival founders discussing the event’s origins.

The result is a wide-ranging oral history podcast over six episodes, featuring founding artistic directors Stephen Brunt and Alison Gzowski on their early collaboration; host Shealgh Rogers on Gordon Pinsent’s lasting legacy at the festival; and, of course, the visionary behind it all, Charlie Payne on his original idea to present traditional music at Heritage Theatre, speaking with Mallory Johnson on her return after appearing with her family, The Cormiers, in year one.

Also, Michael Crummey and Des Walsh from the original lineup, back again at the twentieth, giving thought to the relationship between oral storytelling and reading aloud at the festival, plus Lawrence Hill speaks to the impacts of the community and a listening audience on the festival.

In a culminating episode, Angela Antle reflects on the generosity and hospitality present at Writers at Woody Point, featuring festival voices in a soundscape from our twentieth season.