St. Louis, Missouri
Award-winning author and storyteller
"By writing of African American experiences in hopes of entertaining and educating children about their culture and history, Patricia McKissack has helped to fill a vacuum in children's literature for minority groups. With her goal of "trying to create characters children enjoy reading about, so they will then read more and thus read better," McKissack has won many literary awards and honors for her writing. Some of these include the Caldecott Honor Book for Mirandy and Brother Wind, and the Newbery Honor and the Coretta Scott King Award for The Dark-Thirty: Southern Tales of the Supernatural. Not only has Pat McKissack filled a void in minority group children's literature, she has also won the hearts of many children and their parents with her many contribution of books on a variety of African American themes."
Storyteller, Author, Workshop Presenter, Award-winning teacher, full-time Edu-Entertainer
Chicago, Illinois
847 328-6281
Website: http://www.sydlieberman.com/
An award-winning high school English teacher, Syd brings his teaching expertise to the world of storytelling. Syd has performed and taught in schools across America and has served as storyteller-in-residence at numerous colleges. He has been featured on The Art of Storytelling with Children , a national online community of storytellers hosted by Eric Wolf. Syd has also taught in a variety of venues, including:
- Smithsonian Institution
- Syd taught in their Word of Mouth program for educators. He returned to perform in Storytelling: America's Master Storytellers Come to the Smithsonian.
- Kennedy Center
- Syd participated in the center's professional development program for teachers.
- Disney World
- Writers, directors, and imagineers attended Syd's workshops.
- Chicago History Museum
- Syd co-directs the Golden Apple Foundation's annual summer workshop at the museum, where teachers learn storytelling techniques to teach Mexican history and culture.
Featured, Regional Tellers
Musician, singer, storyteller, published author and recording artist, retired teacher, workshop leader, full-time edu-entertainer
PO Box 35.Jacksonville, IL 62651
217-245-2207 217-473-5889 (cell) mike@dulcimerguy.com Website: www.dulcimerguy.com
Mike Anderson is one of the most versatile folk performers in the Midwest. He is best known as an outstanding mountain dulcimer player. Along with playing dulcimer, he tells stories and plays guitar, banjo, jawharp, bones and more. The combination of music, storytelling, and humor has made Anderson one of the most sought after performers, workshop leaders, and speakers in the Midwest. An award-winning educator and author, Mike Anderson has been awarded several honors for his short stories and an award-winning children’s television program that he wrote and hosted. Mike is also nationally renowned, appearing at the Nat’l Mt. Music Festival, holding a prestigious position on the faculty of the Mt. Dulcimer Workshops at The Ozark Folk Center, Mt. View, AR, Appalachian State Univ., Boone, NC and West Carolina Univ., NC, as well as presenting workshops and concerts across the US.
ABRIDGED DISCOGRAPHY
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DULCIMER: Mirrors, The First Noel, Bakers’ Dozen, Solo; Not Alone, Iceout
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STORIES AND SONGS: The Great Sled Race – award winner; Riding Trees; Anna Old Boot - 3 award winner; Samuel and the Butterflies; The Cat Came Bacik
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VIDEO: Fresh Picked: Mike Anderson Live
AWARDS
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Parents’ Choice Honors – multiple times; Children’s Music Web Honors
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IParenting Honors, Bill Russell Excellence in Education Award
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Innovative Instructional Initiative Award
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Who’s Who Among American Teachers - many years
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Outstanding Young American - a national recognition award
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Ten Outstanding Young People in Illinois by the Illinois Jaycees
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Outstanding Young Educator; Illinois College Distinguished Alumnus 2003
Storyteller, Published Author, educator, workshop leader, full-time edu-entertainer
6370 Pershing Avenue, St Louis, MO 63130 314-725-776 netharbar@aol.com www.annetteharrison.com
Kim Sheahan
504 W. Market St.
Farmer City, IL 61842
309/928-9452
kimtales@mchsi.com
For 29 years Annette has been a dynamic storytelling performer, author and educator. She wrote two successful storytelling books EASY-TO-TELL STORIES (National Storytelling Press,1992) that won the Benjamin Franklin Education Award and STORYTELLING ACTIVITIES KIT with Jerilynn Changar, Ph.D. (Prentice Hall,1992). For five years Annette co-hosted Gatortales, a weekly children’s television program on CBS. Annette draws the listeners in with her amazing dramatic abilities and her joyous energy. She is truly a “kid magnet” and a master storyteller.
Annette's new living history storytelling program, ABRAHAM LINCOLN BICENTENNIAL: Stories of an Amazing Man! is a 45 minute, interactive celebration of the bicentennial of the birth of our 16th president. He was a courageous, fair-minded, intelligent, kindhearted and fun-loving man, a true American original! She tells his story with music, props, timelines, letters and heartwarming stories of his relationship to his wife, Mary Todd Lincoln, her freed, former slave seamstress, Elizabeth Keckley, his children and many others. Come celebrate Lincoln's legacy and learn to love and admire this amazing man!
Storyteller, Published Writer, Former teacher, Full-time Edu entertainer
1201 Paloma Dr., St. Louis, MO 63131. Business P.O. Box: 31640, St. Louis, Mo 63131. Hm #: (314) 317-9061. Cell #: (314) 910-8480 E-Mail: joy.nack@yahoo.com Website: www.joynackstoryteller.com
Joy Nack, professional storyteller, writer, and former teacher, offers dynamic, dramatic storytelling programs for children -- programs for all the major holidays as well as a program of stories in verse, from classics like "The Little Match Girl" and "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" to funny versions of "Red Riding Hood and the Wolf" and "Jack and the Beanstalk." With her BA in English and a BA in Liberal Arts and a California teaching credential, she taught for many years until moving to St. Louis where she works as full-time storyteller.
She was a Fringe storyteller at the 2008 NSN Conference in Gatlinburg, TN and will be a regional storyteller at the St. Louis Storytelling Festival in 2009."
Sherry Norfolk
Storyteller, Published author, Teacher, Educator, Full-time edu-entertainer
888 Vera St., Atlanta, GA 30316
Phones - home and cell H- 404-627-7012 / C- 404-4012737
E-mail:
shnorfolk@aol.com
Website
www.sherrynorfolk.com
Sherry Norfolk is an internationally acclaimed storyteller, appearing at the International Storytelling Center, the Singapore Storytelling Festival, and many more festivals, schools, libraries and universities nationwide. Her strong, clear, direct stage presence immediately connects to audiences of all ages. AND… that VOICE! Perhaps there lives in her chords a pantheon of BOTH gods and goddesses! Her use of tones, timbres, and rhythms in her telling breathes life into her rich repertoire of folktales from around the world. Engaging and entertaining, compelling and educational, Sherry’s programs are tailored to each audience and venue.
In addition to an electric stage presence, she embodies the term "teaching artist" - that is, an artist who can not only talk the talk but walk the walk. Sherry leads residencies and workshops internationally, introducing children and adults to story making and storytelling. She is on the roster of seven state arts councils, a testimony to her value as a teaching artist. Her dedication to and deep interest in children and literacy have been recognized with national awards from the American Library Association, the Association for Library Service for Children, the National Association of Counties, and the Florida Library Association.
Sherry and her husband Bobby are coauthors of The Moral of the Story: Folktales for Character Development (August House, 1999) and six picture books. She is also co-author of the award-winning Storytelling Classroom: Applications Across the Curriculum (Libraries Unlimited, 2006) and the forthcoming book Literacy Development in the Storytelling Classroom (Libraries Unlimited, 2009). Sherry currently serves as Chair of the National Storytelling Network Board of Directors.
Chris McBrien,
The Magic Storyteller 
Magician, Storyteller, Educator, Full-time edu-entertainer
P.O. Box 373,
Chester, IL 62233
Phones - Home (618) 826-2467 Cell: (618) 713-6401
E-mail:
magicstoryteller@verizon.net
Website:
www.magicstoryteller.biz
In 1993 Chris took an internship in the UK at the Royal Court Theatre in Chelsea and Kensington. He also took advantage of his time there and became a busker to learn the ancient art of "street performing", which is the mother of all entertainment fields.
Upon his return to the US he took a job as an arts teacher at the Bettendorf
Cultural Arts Center in Bettendorf, Iowa (now called the "Family Museum"). He
taught cartooning and theater for ages K-12 in after-school and weekend
classes of up to 30 or 40 students for three years.
In the late nineties he took a marketing and public speaking position at the
American Academy of Art in Chicago. It was here that he honed his marketing
and business skills, combined them with his entertainment and educational
background and created the character "The Magic Storyteller".
Many years later Chris McBrien now happily resides with his wife and two
children near St. Louis, in the exact middle of the territory that his friend
and mentor, Thomas C. Magrum once traveled in. He and his wife, Jill, now run
"The Magic Storyteller" school and library assembly company full-time. Chris
keeps busy with a schedule that spans 6 states and has him successfully
performing his educational and entertaining programs in hundreds of school and
libraries year round. More information can be found at:
www.magicstoryteller.biz
Loretta
Washington 
Storyteller, Workshop leader,
Published Author,
Full-time edu-entertainer
1550 Northwinds
Estate Drive - Apt. 200,
St. Louis, Missouri 63136-1838
Phones: 314-867-0489 - home 314-258-3734 - cell
email:
bjsadmc@jotmail.com or
lowash@lorettawashingtonstoryteller.com
website:
www.lorettawashingtonstoryteller.com
Loretta Washington is a professional storyteller, multipurpose workshop presenter, author and writer. She performs and conducts workshops throughout Missouri, Illinois, Kansas and New Mexico. She has performed for schools, libraries, festivals, daycares, summer camps, senior groups, senior living communities, private groups and organizations.
Loretta has traveled to Europe, Mexico, Canada and the Caribbean several times and has studied the lifestyles, mannerism and customs of the people of these countries. Loretta said, “I have incorporated some of their characteristics into my programs, thus creating stories that are sure to delight and warm the heart of every listener. Come and listen, as I take you on a fascinating journey via my alluring stories from near and far-away places”.
With a variety of captivating stories, this fascinating high-energy performer brings her characters to life with unique voices, expressions, movements, puppets, props and music. Watch as she weaves her delightful tales in such a way that you’ll feel like you are a part of her story.
Note from Loretta: Some of my storytelling techniques are carried over into my workshops. I always try to make my workshops interactive and fun. In my workshops I always express the importance of character building. This is done thru the subject being discussed, the art we create or the activities we do. I also explain to the participants why it’s important to work together in the workshops. And I close by encouraging them to work together and respect each other.
Karen Young
Storyteller, Creative Writer,
Formerly employed in corporate public relations/advertising, Currently
full-time edu-entertainer
555 Huntley Heights
Drive, Manchester, MO 63021
Home: 636-227 6478
Cell: 314-307-2549
Email: youngstory@sbcglobal.net Website: www.kyoungstory.com
Note from Karen: I have been a professional storyteller for over 16 years and have performed original and retold tales to thousands of children and adults throughout the Midwest. I love words, writing, teaching and children and believe my purpose in life is to encourage people to appreciate, celebrate and tell their own life stories. I have 30 years of experience as a professional writer, which includes creative fiction writing in my professional storytelling career and business/technical writing in my corporate public relations/advertising career. My experience in teaching children has spanned the past 23 years of my life as a mother, storyteller, and the creator and leader of both a workshop and a residency for children and adults.
Karen is also a writer and workshop/residency
leader. Her belief in the power and value of Story led her to create an
innovative and entertaining residency and workshops for children and adults.
Along with her Storyteller Side by Side partner, Gale Rublee Portman, Karen is
a storytelling artist with the premier arts organizations in St.
Louis—Springboard to Learning/Young Audiences of St. Louis and COCA (Center
for Creative Arts).
Karen was a Featured Teller at
the 2007 St. Louis Storytelling Festival and a Regional Teller at the 2007
National Storytelling Network Conference
Marilyn Kinsella
Taleypo the Storyteller Storyteller, Educator, Former teacher and librarian, Published Writer,
Puppeteer, Full-time edu-entertainer
645 Pleasant Ridge Rd, Fairview Heights, IL 62208 Home: 618/397-1377 Cell: 618/806-7245 E-mail: markinsella19@hotmail.com
Website: www.marilynkinsella.org
Marilyn Kinsella, Taleypo the Storyteller, of Fairview Heights, IL, has been telling stories since 1981. She tells stories “…from nursery schools to nursing homes.” Her folktales come from many cultures, but her favorite stories are those she wrote about growing up in her small, Mid-western town. Her stories are full of energy and a delicate blend of action and word imaging. As a full-time, free-lance teller, she travels to where stories want to be told. Besides telling, she often leads workshops, gives keynote addresses, and performs puppet plays. She has told stories to hundreds of schools in the Midwest and has been featured at many festivals including The St. Louis Storytelling Festival Under the Arch, The Celtic World Festival in Ohio, Fox Valley, IL, the Scottish Games in Springfield, IL, and The Illinois Storytelling Festival.
She received her BA in Education in 1974, from Southern Illinois University. She taught for 11 years before taking a job for 17 years as the “storyteller in residence” at the Edwardsville Public Library. Since 2002, she has worked full-time as a professional, free-lance teller of tales.
Her published stories and articles have appeared in many books and magazines including: Guidepost Christmas Stories, 2007; The Big Book of St. Louis Nostalgia, 2008; The Storytelling Classroom , 2006.
Sharon Thompson
Storyteller, Educator
St. Louis, MO
Since 1991, Sharon has been delighting audiences with her stories and unique brand of humor. She is an active teller in the St. Louis Schools' Springboard to Learning. She has been a regional teller at the St. Louis Storytelling Festival and the Kansas City Festival for many years. She has performed for schools, libraries, festivals, daycares, summer camps, senior groups, senior living communities, private groups and organizations. As an active member of the St. Louis Gateway Storyteller, MO-Tell, and The Riverwind Storytellers, Sharon has held many offices and belongs to several committees committed to bringing storytelling to the Metro-St. Louis area.
Perrin Stifel
Storyteller, Educator, Estate Sales/Edu-entertainer
636 Elmwood Ave. St. Louis, MO 63119 314 961 3948 or cell is 314 413 2858
E-mail: pstifelstl@earthlink.net Website: http://www.folktale.com/others/Perrin.html
Perrin Stifel is an accomplished storyteller known for his unique ability to fill an audience with a magical sense of connection. Perrin began telling stories in the classrooms of an elementary school as the school counselor. He went into the rooms with a story every month for 18 years. After retiring from teaching French and counseling he continued to share the gift of storytelling by telling at the American schools in Germany and hundreds of other schools. Perrin teaches workshops in storytelling at many places including the University of Missouri at St. Louis. He has been featured at numerous festivals in the United States.
Perrin believes in the power of storytelling and how it can foster a valuable relationship between the teller and the audience. He blends the right mix of warmth and sensitivity with great humor aimed to please the listeners.
Sue Hinkel
"She Paints Pictures with her Words."
Storyteller,
Visual Artist, Educator, Teacher, Full-time Edu-entertainer
2236 Highway N
Pacific, MO 63069-5402
636-271-7914
314-406-0695
shinkel@mail.win.org
Storytelling Artist, for 29 years. Teacher Elementary, and Middle School Gifted Art. for 25 years, both public and private schools.
Teaching preschoolers to senior citizen, including curriculum writing, integrating curriculum, budget preparation, grant writing and schedule coordinating. Additional experience includes workshop presentations, festival director, and member of several boards (local, state and national).
Missouri's "Art Teacher of the Year", 1991 Teaches Art and Storytelling at UMSL, St. Charles Community College, and Fontbonne UniversityMember of the St. Louis Storytelling Festival planning committee. Member and past board members of Gateway Storyteller, MO-TELL (Missouri Storytelling), member of Riverwind Storytelling, and River and Prairie Storyweavers. Featured, twice at the St. Louis Storytelling Festival. Regional telling for 29 years. Regional Teller at the National Storytelling Conference.
Shows: 4 one woman, Glass Artist shows in Boston, MA and the St. Louis area.
Book: Co-Author "Don't Throw the Peas" a bilingual manners book illustrated by children's drawings.
Video Tapes: Personal Responsibility Education Program video tapes 21 stories on 7 tapes. All videos are accompanied with appropriate lesson plans, that meet National Standards.
Tapes, "Stories of the Ancient World" for the St. Louis Art Museums' access kit, Art of the Ancient World. "Stories Drawn From Home>" Family stories.
Folklorist, Storyteller, Naturalist, full-time edu-entertainer
PO Box 223, Richwoods, MO 63071
573-678-2210 home/office
E-Mail: diannemoran@earthlink.net
Website: http://members.tripod.com/dmoranstoryteller/id28.htm
Dianne Moran is an award-winning folklorist who has worked with audiences for 35 years as a Living History performer and Naturalist, including 25 years at the St. Louis Zoo. She lives deep in an Ozark forest where she says she is free to enjoy wild things and the spirits of the pioneers who linger on there. Her programs reflect her passion of history: Mountain Dulcimer, relic displays and her live animals that serve as metaphors for her historic tales. Dianne's programs receive funding from the MO Arts and Humanities Council; she is on the rosters of St. Louis and K.C. Young Audiences; and she tours the country with her living history programs as a Chautauqua Scholar.
She has produced numerous CD's, Tapes and Videos. She is honored to have received a Program Award for artistic excellence and educational effectiveness from Young Audiences of St. Louis. Dianne has performed hundreds of school performances, workshops and residencies making her a curriculum regular for thousands of school children
AUDIO TAPES/CDS
Civil War Vignettes (Ambrose
Bierce, Faulkner, and original tales)
At my Grandfather's Knee
(Pioneer, Native American)
Earth Woman Tales (Native
American)
Soon to be released:
Buffalo Gals (tales of the West,
original songs by Pat Frank)
Wind Whispers (Native American
tales, Wolfs Robe on Native flutes)
Storyteller, Educator, Published
author, Full-time edu-entertainer
1617 Redbluff Court, St. Louis, MO 63146
Phones: Home: 314-434-0324 Cell: 314-313-3431
E-mail:
dbanktells@sbcglobal.net
Website:
www.diannjoybank.net
Diann Joy Bank, professional storyteller\educator is known as the “Joy of Storytelling,” through her high-energy performances. As a Jewish early childhood educator, an ESL teacher, and elementary teacher assistant in St. Louis Parkway schools, she enhanced the imaginations of her students through storytelling and story writing. Being a featured festival teller throughout Missouri and Illinois, she is recognized as a “hands-on” storytelling workshop leader for parents, teachers, and students.
Diann loves to share her multicultural folktales and her humorous Jewish folklore from her recipe of rhythm, song, movement, and most importantly, her audience's participation in her stories. She can evoke our imaginations and stir us to reach our dreams becoming storytellers ourselves. She believes that storytelling inspires enthusiasm for reading that helps us to pass on cultural values and traditions that teach us an appreciation for others.
Diann is the published author of the story “Grandma Annie's Gourmet Delights,” in the book, First Harvest, Jewish Writing in St. Louis, and has produced her audio cassette tape, “Stories to Grow On” and her CD, “The Joy of Jewish Tales,” stories of her Jewish heritage. She tells from her heart to ours!
Mary Lu Bretsch
Storyteller, Librarian, Musician
3322 West A Street, Belleville, IL 62226 618-234-9698 dmlbr@charter.net
As a storyteller, Mary Lu Bretsch is no stranger to the students of Belleville. As a school librarian in Belleville District #201, she has told stories in classrooms from preschool to high school throughout the years. She is honored to be a part of this year’s first Belleville Storytelling Festival with its emphasis on character development.
Since her retirement, Mary Lu has become more involved in working in the classroom as a teacher/coach for student storytellers. She is pleased to have sponsored over 20 young tellers for the youth concert at the St. Louis Storytelling Festival during the last four years.
Mary Lu was a concert teller at the Northlands Conference in 2007, and she was a member of the steering committee for planning the National Storytelling Conference held in St. Louis in 2007. She has been a regional teller at the St. Louis Storytelling Festival for over 15 years. Mary Lu is a long standing member of the Riverwinds Storytellers, the local guild for the Metro East. She is also a recipient of the Golden Apple Award for educational excellence in St. Clair County.
She is currently serving as the librarian at Smithton Public Library in Smithton, Illinois, where she utilizes her storytelling to conduct preschool story times weekly and for outreach events at the local schools. She is also a part-time church organist and a pianist for various school events. She plays the autoharp and is currently studying the dulcimer.
Mary Lu attended Monmouth College with a major in Latin and minors in English and organ. She holds a Master’s degree in Library Science from the University of Illinois.
Kathy Schottel
Guitarist, Songstress, Storyteller, Actress
St. Louis, MO
E-Mail: katschot@gmail.com
Kathy Schottel has been a musician for over 40 years. She has been singing stories most of her life. Her storytelling began with her work at the St. Louis Public Library. During her 36 years of library work Kathy spread many stories and songs throughout the community. Connecting to the audiences and drawing them in is one of the many special talents Kathy has. Not only has she been onstage with storytelling but also "trod the board" in everything from dramas to musicals. This Renaissance woman has dabbled in directing, musical direction, puppetry and trying to play every stringed instrument ever invented. Kathy has one recording out and loves finding obscure, humorous stories and songs. She has been featured in several festivals including the St. Louis Storytelling Festival.
Greg Weiss
Educator, Storyteller
PO Box 983. Homewood IL 60430
708-799-8230
email: gjweiss@earthlink.net
Greg Weiss, a storyteller and middle school drama teacher from Homewood, has directed several plays, musicals and folktale theatre performances at his school. Additionally, he produced a concert and a storytelling festival, both featuring nationally renowned storytellers. His own storytelling has brought him to schools and other venues in Pennsylvania, Illinois and Missouri, including the St. Louis Storytelling Festival. Greg’s work earned him the Studs Terkel Humanities Service Award from the Illinois Humanities Council.
Website: http://www.storytelling.org/directorypages/weiss.html
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Marie Ringenberg is a dynamic and engaging storyteller with over 20 years experience. She performs for schools, libraries, churches, museums and early childhood centers. Active in the Illinois storytelling community, her degrees in Elementary Education and Library Science support her storytelling focus. Marie's creativity, energy, and wonderful sense of playfulness draw her audience into the magical realm of the imagination. She tells stories in song as well as folktales, myths, and legends. She coaches Middle and High school students aspiring to be storytellers for the Prairie Trail Storytelling Festival in Glen Ellyn Illinois. Her interactive, energetic, and captivating tales enhance her workshops as well. She delights in educating and entertaining audiences of all ages. And most of all, Marie enjoys meeting her audience eye-to-eye and heart-to-heart. |
Storyteller, Educator, former Youth Services Librarian, Full-time edu-entertainer
3S058 Sequoia Dr.,
Glen Ellyn IL 60137 630-858-6003
E-mail: mtringen@juno.com
Website: www.storytelling.org/Ringenberg
"After 22 years in this business, I can safely
say that there are very few extremely talented storytellers who also happen to
have exceptionally strong teaching skills. Marie has it all."
-- Nina McCabe, Principal, Passow School, Franklin Park IL
Kim Sheahan
Educator/Storyteller
504 W. Market St.
Farmer City, IL 61842
309/928-9452
kimtales@mchsi.com
Website: http://www.storytelling.org/directorypages/sheahan.html
Kim Sheahan has been a central Illinois educator since 1991, incorporating oral traditions into her multicultural programs at the University of Illinois' Spurlock Museum. Her enthusiasm is both unmistakable and contagious. Let her share the joy of the tale with you at your next special event. Besides telling at museums, libraries and schools, she has, also, appeared at many festivals including: Chinquapin Storytelling Festival, New Salem Storytelling Festival, and the Verde Gallery Spoken Word Series.