2011
The states of Illinois and Missouri are blessed with many wonderful, dedicated, and, yes, "fun" storytellers. They have hundreds of years of experience, if taken as a group. Many travel extensively around the United States and even beyond...telling stories. They honed their storytelling expertise by challenging themselves and their audience to new and exciting stories. Some incorporate music, songs, puppetry and even magic, while others let the stories fly solo as they send their audiences to "once upon a time." Some of the tellers are published authors and writers and offer CDs and DVDs of their stories. Many of the tellers have bachelor or even masters degrees in related fields. Most of them are full time "edu-entertainers" for they not only bring stories to schools, but make it educational by providing teacher and student workshops, study guides, mentoring programs, after-school storytelling clubs, educational websites, and helpful e-newsletters. They are all active in many storytelling guilds and associations - The National Storytelling Network, Northlands Storytelling Network, The Illinois Storytelling Inc. Riverwind Storytellers, MO-Tell, St. Louis Gateway Storytellers.
Here are the 2011 Storytellers with links to their websites:
http://bellevillefestivalofstories.tumblr.com
http://www.kevinlocke.com/kevin/index.html
Camille Born
Could Be Worse! Stories is the name of my storytelling business because that motto reflects my outlook on life, and, anyway, I wouldn't want to call it 'could be better'!? I share a wide variety of stories with my audiences and they find my stories moving - be it through laughter, tears or fears. It is this audience interaction, reaction or sharing of a common moment in life that spurs my storytelling onward.
Researching, writing and presenting original historical stories has been one of my favorite things in my career. I develop these stories to fit the Illinois 6-8 grade curriculum but find they are popular with adult audiences, too. Some of the stories are presented with projection of historical photos behind me.
I have over 13 years of storytelling experience telling to audiences of all ages and mixed ages. Please see my website for more information.How I became a storyteller:
For years I amused my friends and family with tales of everyday life. When I began to do historical presentations for Girl Scouts I found myself telling stories of the Founder instead of following set programs. "Hmmmm", I thought, "there could be something to this". Since I had always enjoyed listening to storytellers, I joined my local guild and then everything clicked! I knew I must finally have grown up, because I knew what I wanted to be! I've been a professional storyteller ever since.
I have told stories in schools, libraries, churches and around campfires, to students, civic groups, seniors and youth groups. My programs cover a wide variety of story themes. I am always looking to develop more programs - including one that will fit your needs.
Kathe Brinkman
Kathleen Brinkmann 702 W. Michigan Urbana, IL 61801-4842 Home: 217-337-5590 Cell 217-419-3624 www.kathebrinkmann.com
Once upon a time before cell phones and laptops there lived a young woman who loved to tell stories. ...
I have been telling stories all my life and turned professional with the turn of the century. I became a founding member of the Champaign-Urbana Storytelling Guild in 2001. I served as secretary, treasurer and then as president of the Guild for four years, bringing many outside tellers to local venues as well as organizing workshops on the art of storytelling. I have told at the University of Illinois Youth Festival (2008) and the Urbana Park District Chautauqua Centennial Celebration (2007), as well as numerous smaller venue gigs. I am a regional teller at the 2011 Cape Girardeau Storytelling Festival. Currently on UPTV cable channel 6, I produce and host “The Stories We Tell”, a program of recorded concerts, interviews with authors, and storytellers.
Storyteller, Published Author, educator, workshop leader, full-time edu-entertainer
6370 Pershing Avenue, St Louis, MO 63130 314-725-7767 netharbar@aol.com www.annetteharrison.com
Since 1981, 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, puppeteer, 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 is a professional storyteller and puppeteer performing at many schools, libraries, and festivals as well as at birthday parties and private homes in the Midwest and on the West Coast. She has BA in English, a BA in Liberal Arts and a teaching credential. She has formal training in music and voice which she incorporates in her performances. Her lively storytelling and puppetry will make you and your students laugh and maybe even cry. You'll leave her performance feeling great!
She was a Fringe storyteller at the 2008 NSN conference in Gatlinburg, TN, has been a regional storyteller at the St. Louis Storytelling Festival for several years, was the featured storyteller at the Ozark Riverways Heritage Days Festival in Big Spring, MO 2010, and is a regularly performing puppeteer at
the Carousel House in Faust Park, Chesterfield, MO.
Darlene Neumann
Storyteller, Educator, Library Media Specialist
39440 Castleford Ln.;
Beach Park IL 60083
Phone: 847-831-9152
Evening: 847-775-0095
Email: LDNeu[at]comcast.net
Darlene Neumann is a storyteller and library media specialist who specializes in world folktales and stories about growing up on a southern Illinois farm—some bittersweet, and some very funny! She paints compelling pictures through her stories, inviting listeners to laugh and cry and revel in the joy a story can reveal about human nature. She conducts workshops at educational conferences and universities, and has presented workshops at storytelling conferences, both regionally and nationally. For thirteen years, she held a three-day storytelling festival in which all tellers were elementary students. She is an adjunct professor in storytelling at National-Louis University. Darlene and her husband Larry tell in tandem as “Two Voices.”
Larry
Neumann
Storyteller, Educator, Musician
39440 Castleford
Ln.; Beach Park IL 60083
Phone: 847-831-9152
Evening: 847-775-0095
Email: LDNeu[at]comcast.net
Larry Neumann has worked extensively on stories about the Wright Brothers. He also enjoys telling folktales, incorporating music by writing songs for the tales. He conducts storytelling workshops and has performed at storytelling festivals and other venues, entertaining audiences from preschoolers to senior citizens in assisted living facilities. He has been a teacher of gifted students at the middle school level and taught at the Hong Kong International School. In addition, he has written and produced several musicals for his students. Larry and his wife Darlene tell in tandem as “Two Voices.”
Kirkwood, Missouri
Storyteller, Author, Educator, Keynote SpeakerLynn Rubright, storyteller, author, and educator, is presently using her chapter book, Mama's Window (Lee and Low Books 2005) with her EMMY award winning video documentary, "Freedom After While", to help students, grades 4 through 8, explore and understand issues of injustice, peace, compassion, and intolerance. Co founder of the St. Louis Storytelling Festival and Project TELL, and Metro Theater Company, Lynn is recipient of Circle of Excellence and Life Time Achievement ORACLE Awards from the National Storytelling Network for her life long passion to expand multiple uses of storytelling in the classroom.
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| Carole Shelton Audio clip |
Telephone: 314-522-0477
Email:
cesstoryteller@aol.com
Webpage:
http://www.cesstoryteller.com
Carole Shelton has performed for audiences for the past 20 years. She is a member of the St. Louis Gateway Storytellers, the St. Louis Puppet Guild and the National Association of Black Storytellers. She has performed in a variety of local venues such as the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, the Missouri Historical Society, the St. Louis Storytelling Festival and various schools and libraries throughout the Bi-State area. Carole also performed at the Civil Rights Museum in Birmingham, Alabama and the Kansas City Storytelling Festival. Carole believes stories are universal tools for learning, healing and empowerment.
Loretta
Washington
Storyteller, Workshop leader,
Published Author,
Full-time edu-entertainer
Phones: 314-867-0489 - home 314-867-5138 - fax
email:
bjsadmc@jotmail.com
or
lowash@lorettawashingtonstoryteller.com
website:
www.lorettawashingtonstoryteller.com
Loretta Washington is a master storyteller, multipurpose workshop presenter, author and writer. She has performed and conducted workshops throughout Missouri, Illinois, Kansas and New Mexico. She performs for schools, libraries, festivals, summer camps, senior groups, senior living communities, daycares, private groups and other 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, energized performer brings her characters to life with unique voices, expressions, movements, puppets, props and music. Watch as she weaves each delightful tale in such a way that you’ll feel like you are a part of the story.
Note from Loretta: “I incorporate some of my storytelling techniques into all of my workshops. I always try to make my workshops interactive and fun. In my workshops I express the importance of character building. This is done thru the subject being discussed, the art we create and the activities we do. Within the character building processes we always discuss why it is important to cooperate and work together with others. I like to always close by stressing the importance learning to respect each other and encourage each student to start practicing respect, that today”.
Marilyn Kinsella, Taleypo The Storyteller
Taleypo the Storyteller
Storyteller, Educator, Former teacher and librarian, Published Author, 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, The Fox Valley Folk Life Festival, IL, the Scottish Games in Springfield, IL, and The Illinois Storytelling Festival. She will be a featured teller in 2011, at the St. Louis Festival and the Sterling Library Storytelling Festival (9/1-2/2011)
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.
Character traits for three grade sections are promoted in a collection of world folktales, legends, myths, and personal stories, with corresponding questions and activities. Co-authored with Phyllis Hostmeyer
I have entertained many audiences throughout the area and the demand for my service continues to grow. Writing much of my own material, I entertain with fairy tales and fables that I turn into rap, country, or jazz songs. I also tell a variety of traditional tales. Which tales are my favorite to tell? Stories about life's lessons gained from marriage and raising three daughters in the Midwest. I also present a variety of traditional tales, myths, and legends, as well as modern stories and songs.
Appearances include: Beijing China - Great Hall, National Storytelling Conference, Missouri and Illinois Tellebrations, Young Author’s Conferences – Madison County, IL, Balanced Literacy Conference – Charleston, SC, and the St. Louis Storytelling Festival
Character traits for three grade sections are promoted in a collection of world folktales, legends, myths, and personal stories, with corresponding questions and activities. Co-authored with Marilyn Kinsella
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.
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
Professional storyteller/educator Diann Joy Bank, known as “The Joy of Storytelling," shares her Jewish folklore and multicultural stories sprinkled with the language of the culture, including ASL (sign language). Blending audience participation, rhythm, and song, she evokes our imaginations and helps us to become 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 “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!
Storytelling Character WorkshopProfessional storyteller/educator, Diann Joy Bank, believes that “story” has a life, whether you “tell it,” “write it,” or “read it.”
Through adapting her Jewish folktales, and multicultural tales, students will learn to respect themselves and others, be responsible for their actions, and the power of the spoken word. Learn the four-step story recipe using “hands-on” storytelling techniques of visualization, characterization, dialogue, and body language. The students will create their own story to apply the values of kindness and words to their own lives. Diann will stimulate your students’ creative thinking and problem solving, as they become storytellers themselves.
Mary Lu Bretsch
Storyteller,
Librarian, Musician
3322 West A Street, Belleville, IL 62226 Phone: 618-234-9698 E-mail: dmlbr@charter.net
As a storyteller, Mary Lu Bretsch is no stranger to the students of Belleville. As school librarian for Belleville District #201, she told stories in classrooms from preschool to high school throughout the years. She is honored to be a part of the third Belleville Festival of Stories 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 30 young tellers for the youth concert at the St. Louis Storytelling Festival during the last five 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 18 years. Mary Lu is a long standing member of the Riverwind 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 a part-time 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 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.
Stephanie Rhein
S.T.A.R. BY S.T.A.R. (Stories Teach and Reach by Stephanie Ann Rhein)Storyteller, actor, singer, musician, speech language pathologist, educator, wife and joyful mother of twins27 Estates ViewFairview Heights, Illinois 62208618-397-2535E-Mail: starhein@peaknet.netSTEPHANIE RHEIN (STAR BY STAR) tells stories that teach and reach listeners of all ages. Her career as a SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST and lifelong involvement as an ACTRESS in community THEATRE has fueled her passion for the written and spoken word.
One might go so far as to say it was "IN THE STARS" that she would become a STORYTELLER.
STAR BY STAR hopes that after listening to her tales and rhymes, often coupled with MUSIC and SIGN LANGUAGE, you will be inspired to tell your own story that lies within your heart.
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
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.
Perrin Stifel
Master Storyteller and Educator Perrin Stifel's enthralling, lively presentations are rich in audience participation; children emerge from them with an uncanny sense of having taken part in the creation of magic! He is a gifted, accomplished storyteller, able to blend the perfect mix of humor and warmth to entertain and educate children and youth of all ages. He is especially known for his excellent school programs. Drawing from his experience as a counselor at Ladue Schools in St. Louis for 25 years, he will mold his program to fit your school needs
Perrin Stifel is a gifted, accomplished storyteller known for his unique ability to fill a theatre with a magical sense of connection. Perrin began telling stories during his 25 year tenure as a counselor in the Ladue Schools in St. Louis County, and quickly realized how storytelling helps foster a valuable relationship between teller and listener. He has taught storytelling at Webster University and at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. In 1987 Perrin founded and served as Executive Director of the MO-TELL (Missouri Storytelling) association. With his enthralling, lively presentations, he blends just the right mix of warmth and sensitivity with a great sense of humor to create that wonderful concoction we call storymagic!
"His enthusiasm is contagious and inspirational!"
"The perfect program to celebrate our drug-free school"
- National Storytelling Festival, Jonesborough, Tennessee, Exchange Place
- Kansas City Storytelling Festival
- St. Louis Storytelling Festival
- Corn Island Storytelling Festival, Louisville, Kentucky
- Ouachita Storytelling Festival, Arkansas
- Tulsey Town Storytelling Festival Tulsa, Oklahoma
- Countless school programs in Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky and Oklahoma
- Keynote Speaker, Missouri School Counselors Association
- Special Guest Speaker, St. Louis Optometrists Society
