Long before there were books, there were stories—stories which have been told for hundreds, some even thousands of years. They contain the wisdom of the ages, passed down from one generation to the next. I tell many unusual stories from the oral tradition, along with historical stories and personal stories.
Sometimes children ask me if a traditional story I told is a true story. I tell them that there are truths for the head and truths for the heart. Stories are truths for the heart. They are so true that we recognize ourselves in them and know that the truths are both common and deep.
Traditional stories are important for children to hear because they encouraging active imagination--a skill so necessary for reading books beyond the picture-book stage. One boy said that while I was telling he didn’t really see me. Instead it was "like watching a movie in (his) head." Because traditional stories are plot-driven and have little description, even very young children can listen to them and follow the story. I always try to stretch their listening skills, but my interactive storytelling makes them part of the story so listening comes easy.Teens and tweens make great audiences for storytelling. I connect with issues in their lives by telling complex and thoughtful stories, often without a neat ending. Each listener chooses what happens next and then the story belongs to them.
Adults aren’t as skeptical as teens and tweens, but I like to tell them stories which are unusual or take odd turns. These stories are archetypal and totally human, even if they include talking animals or magical beings. Each one of us is on a hero’s journey and stories are our guides.
Story Concerts
Pick from one of the programs below, or contact me and I will design a program just for your event.
1) Uh, Oh, Goofed Again! A lively mix of funny and serious stories about making mistakes and fixing things up.
2) Lost! Stories of getting lost and finding your way back again.
3) Keep on Keepin’ On: A singing, rhythmic collection about perseverance in the face of adversity.
4) Somewhere in the Dark: Tales that make you jump!
5) Making Friends with The Other: Living in a world of differences.
6) Faces of History (contact me for current topics)
Residencies
Adults:
1)Storytelling Primer: Learn the basics of storytelling.
2)Story Connections: Using stories at work, from the pulpit, or in your classroom.
Children:
Learning and Telling Stories: Build good listening and speaking skills and improve oral memory.
