I recently had another one of those discussions about microphones. Those dastardly denizens, lurking in every school auditorium, gymnasium, and any other echo chamber that might become the demise of your storytelling gig. How do you deal with microphones? You say you hate them, but you must learn to love them. They are an essential tool for the storyteller, and too often are left to their own devices. A few weeks ago at a Tellebration event, the technicians had turned the microphone way up, locked the audio room and left. There was no where to go but adjust your distance and hope for the best, best, best, best, best...
Learning how to use a microphone may be the first thing a teller needs to do, even before learning how to tell. If they can't hear you, they won't be listening; even in a small venue! Don't discount the need for a microphone in those tiny rooms, especially if you're telling to senior citizens.
If you haven't read it, or need to review it, please read my Tirade on Microphones. It's one of the best tips I can give to both tellers and MCs.