2010
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, The Metro-StL Riverwind Storytellers, MO-Tell, and the St. Louis Gateway Storytellers.
Here are the 2009 Storytellers with links to their websites:
Featured Teller: Antonio Rocha
All day, Friday, March 26th in the Auditorium and 7:00 Pm for a Public Performance
Antonio Rocha, a native of Brazil, began his career in the performing arts in 1985. In 1988 he received a Partners of the Americas grant to come to the USA to perform and deepen his mime skills with Master Tony Montanaro. Since then he has earned a Summa Cum Laude Theater BA from USM (University of Southern Maine) and studied with Master Marcel Marceau. Mr. Rocha's unique solo shows of stories and mime have been performed from Singapore to Hawaii and many places in between including ten countries on five continents. Some of the venues include The Singapore Festival of the Arts, Aruba Intl Dance Festival, The National Storytelling Festival, The Kennedy Center, The Smithsonian Institution, The National Geographic, The Tales of Graz in Austria, Dunya Festival in Holland as well as many other Storytelling Festivals and educational institutions around The USA. Mr. Rocha is a member of the Maine Arts Commission, The New England Foundation for the Arts and the National Storytelling Association.
Performance Highlights
- Washington DC Environmental Film Festival 07/08.
- Hawaiian Library tour- Nov 07.
- Ahus Storytelling residency- Ahus Sweden-Nov.08
- Gateway to the Arts- Pittsburgh- 07/08.
- Irish school tour- May 08.
- Patchwork Tales- Rock Hill SC- 07.
- Riverway Storytelling Festival- Albany NY- 07.
- The Fukugawa Edo Museum- Tokyo 06.
- Singapore International Storytelling Festival 06/07.
- Birmingham Museum of Art- Alabama- April 08.
- Timpanogos Storytelling Festival- Aug 08.
Grants & Awards:
Parents choice gold award 08 for Under African Sky DVD.
John A. Kittredge Educational Fund. Travel grant for Singapore Festival of Arts, 1996.
Four year Scholarship. Univ. of Southern Maine . BA in theater. 1989-92.
Partners of the Americas. Perform and Train in the USA, 1988.
Special Skills:
Singing (tenor). Theatre Combat. Languages: English, Portuguese some Spanish and French.
Turbulence by Antonio Rocha Click on picture to view Antonio in action |
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7 min - Apr 4, 2007 - A comic mime about a
paranoid air traveler, performed by
Antonio Rocha
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ep1qhhseBiw |
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.
DULCIMER: Mirrors, The First Noel, Bakers’ Dozen, Solo; Not Alone, Iceout
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
VIDEO: Fresh Picked: Mike Anderson Live
AWARDS
Parents’ Choice Honors – multiple times; Children’s Music Web Honors
IParenting Honors, Bill Russell Excellence in Education Award
Who’s Who Among American Teachers - many years
Outstanding Young American - a national recognition award
Ten Outstanding Young People in Illinois by the Illinois Jaycees
Outstanding Young Educator; Illinois College Distinguished Alumnus 2003
The Phantom Teacher
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 217-721-9252 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. 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 314-725-776 netharbar@aol.com www.annetteharrison.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 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 a 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 will make you and your students laugh and maybe even cry. You'll leave her performance and workshop feeling great!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."
Darlene Neumann
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. With her clear, pleasing voice and her engaging facial expressions, she paints compelling pictures, inviting children and adults to laugh and cry and revel in the joy of stories. Darlene tells world folktales and shares bittersweet stories about growing up on a Southern Illinois farm. She has told at festivals, international schools, public libraries, and has conducted storytelling workshops at library conferences, educational conferences, and universities. She coordinates an annual storytelling festival at her school in which each 4th and 5th grader, and some younger students, tells a story. Darlene helps the students choose, learn and tell their stories. She is an adjunct professor in storytelling at National-Louis University in Evanston, IL. Darlene and her husband Larry tell in tandem as “Two Voices.”
Storyteller, Author, Educator, Keynote Speaker
Lynn Rubright has been a professional storyteller for more than forty years. “I first discovered that I was a storyteller when I had my boys, Dan and Ted,” says the author. “I’d tell them stories like Jack and the Beanstalk over milk and cookies and Ted would say, ‘Tell it again, Mommy.’ That’s what started my career as a storyteller.” Many years later, Rubright’s first book for children, Mama's Window was published by LEE & LOW BOOKS. Loosely based on episodes in the childhood of Reverend Owen Whitfield, Mama's Window tells the story of Sugar, a young boy who is determined to see his late mother’s dream come to fruition.
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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 audience for the past 20 years. She is a member of the National Association of Black Storytellers and the Midwest Inspirational Storytellers. She has performed in a variety of local venues such as the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, the Missouri Historical Society and the St. Louis Storytelling Festival, as well as, at numerous locations throughout the Bi-State area. Carole also performed at the Civil Rights Museum in Birmingham, Alabama.
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.
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. On April 9-11, 2010, she will be a featured teller at the Cape Girardeau Festival in MO.
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.
Look for her first published book A Bundle of Sticks: Storytelling, QAR, and Character Education co-authored with Storyteller and QAR expert - Phyllis Hostmeyer. Publication - late 2010 with Libraries Unlimited.
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
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
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.
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.
