Festival StoryTellers
KEVIN KLING
Kevin Kling graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College with a BA in Theater in 1979. He has written many plays for children and family audiences including Lyle, Lyle Crocodile, by Bernard Waber, (premiered at the Children's Theatre Company in Minneapolis), Busytown, by Richard Scarry, (premiered at Seattle Children's Theatre) and Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse, by Kevin Henkes, (premiered at SCT).
He has also written original works including Mississippi Panorama, (CTC), Perfectly Persephone, (Imagination Stage) and Best Summer Ever, (CTC).
His one person shows Home and Away, 21A, and How How, Why, Why, Why and his full cast plays Lloyd's Prayer and The Ice Fishing Play have been produced in regional theaters, including The Guthrie, Seattle Rep, Cincinnati Playhouse, the Goodman, Kennedy Center, Denver Center and off Broadway at Westside Arts and Second Stage Theater.
Orchestral commissions include the Minnesota Orchestra's Home for the Holidays and Joyful Echoes. Collaborating with composer Victor Zupanc: For the Birds for the Zeitgeist ensemble and The Burning Wisdom of Finn McCool and The Twelve Dancing Princesses for the Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra.
Awards include the Whiting Award, NEA, McKnight, Bush Fellowship, Jerome Foundation, Minnesota State Arts Board the A.P. Anderson Award, the VSA Jeahny, and the Eric Peterson Award.
Kevin is a frequent storyteller at storytelling festivals across the country. He has written five books and appears often on PBS and Minnesota Public Radio. His PBS autobiographical documentary Kevin Kling: Lost and Found won a Regional Emmy as a teacher, playwright, performer. He was named the Minneapolis Storyteller Laureate by Mayor RT Rybak in 2014.
Kevin is most proud of his work as a teacher, playwright and performer with Interact Center, a company that creates art in the spirit of radical inclusion. His website is www.kevinkling.com.
He has also written original works including Mississippi Panorama, (CTC), Perfectly Persephone, (Imagination Stage) and Best Summer Ever, (CTC).
His one person shows Home and Away, 21A, and How How, Why, Why, Why and his full cast plays Lloyd's Prayer and The Ice Fishing Play have been produced in regional theaters, including The Guthrie, Seattle Rep, Cincinnati Playhouse, the Goodman, Kennedy Center, Denver Center and off Broadway at Westside Arts and Second Stage Theater.
Orchestral commissions include the Minnesota Orchestra's Home for the Holidays and Joyful Echoes. Collaborating with composer Victor Zupanc: For the Birds for the Zeitgeist ensemble and The Burning Wisdom of Finn McCool and The Twelve Dancing Princesses for the Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra.
Awards include the Whiting Award, NEA, McKnight, Bush Fellowship, Jerome Foundation, Minnesota State Arts Board the A.P. Anderson Award, the VSA Jeahny, and the Eric Peterson Award.
Kevin is a frequent storyteller at storytelling festivals across the country. He has written five books and appears often on PBS and Minnesota Public Radio. His PBS autobiographical documentary Kevin Kling: Lost and Found won a Regional Emmy as a teacher, playwright, performer. He was named the Minneapolis Storyteller Laureate by Mayor RT Rybak in 2014.
Kevin is most proud of his work as a teacher, playwright and performer with Interact Center, a company that creates art in the spirit of radical inclusion. His website is www.kevinkling.com.
joy aavang
Joy was born and raised in England. Born in Yorkshire and raised by her grandparents. At a young age the family moved close to London where they were living when WWII broke out. They remained in that area the entire war surviving the Blitz and V1, V2 attacks.
Joy traveled to Woodstock shortly after WWII ended to visit relatives, met her husband while on that visit and has made Woodstock her home since. She is an author of several books and an avid storyteller conducting a Storytelling Group once each month for anyone interested in that art.
Joy traveled to Woodstock shortly after WWII ended to visit relatives, met her husband while on that visit and has made Woodstock her home since. She is an author of several books and an avid storyteller conducting a Storytelling Group once each month for anyone interested in that art.
linda boyle
Through stories, poetry and music, singer-songwriter, longtime educator and social historian, Linda Boyle, shares the ordinary and many times extraordinary lives of Chicago’s immigrant women, their children and social movements organized around their needs and their rights.
Singer-songwriter Linda Boyle only gives her voice and heart to songs that illustrate her deep concern for women, children, immigrants, indigenous peoples, Two-Spirit peoples, the Disappeared, Nature, natural resources and show her support for the social movements that strengthen and protect the individual legal rights of the people to be heard and protected.
Linda enlivens the voices of sometimes long gone peoples–many times in their own words and languages–carrying them above the crowd where they will be heard.
Linda Boyle sings her own songs along with roots, world, folk, blues, country and spirited old-time music, including songs from other genres, many in the native languages of other cultures.
Singer-songwriter Linda Boyle only gives her voice and heart to songs that illustrate her deep concern for women, children, immigrants, indigenous peoples, Two-Spirit peoples, the Disappeared, Nature, natural resources and show her support for the social movements that strengthen and protect the individual legal rights of the people to be heard and protected.
Linda enlivens the voices of sometimes long gone peoples–many times in their own words and languages–carrying them above the crowd where they will be heard.
Linda Boyle sings her own songs along with roots, world, folk, blues, country and spirited old-time music, including songs from other genres, many in the native languages of other cultures.
margaret burk
Margaret has told numerous places around the Chicago area, including The Moth, This Much Is True, Homewood Stories, Story Sessions, Story Club, The People Tree, Stories of Impact, Chicago Celtic Festival, Fox Valley Folk Festival and Illinois Storytelling Festival. She was featured at Bady House Concerts in Brooklyn, NY. Her one woman show ‘Bring It On! has been featured at the Celtic Knot in Evanston and at Northlands Storytelling Conference. Margaret co-produces and co-hosts three monthly storytelling events in Oak Park/River Forest: BACK ROOM STORIES at Hamburger Mary’s, Illinois Storytelling’s series at Dominican University, and Do Not Submit Oak Park at the Eastgate Cafe. She is President of Illinois Storytelling Inc, a state-wide association of storytellers, and believes in the power of story not just to entertain but to touch the heart, spark the imagination, and embolden the spirit. www.margaretburk.com
Kucha Brownlee and BabA Tony brown
This dynamic storytelling duo combines their talents and experience to bring magical moments
to their performances. Their compelling storytelling is enhanced by audience participation
accompanied by singing, African drumming, learning and lots of fun. And, the audience’s
enthusiastic responses are always welcome. Their programs are highly entertaining, culturally
enriching, and engaging.
Kucha came to storytelling by way of theatre. She toured the Midwest and Canada with several
children’s theatre companies. Storytelling is a marriage of her experience and training, earning
a BA in English and a Master in Business. Baba Tony was a public speaker and trainer prior to
storytelling. He is also a certified coach facilitator. He plays an array of instruments. Baba Tony
also teaches the primary foundation skills of drumming (Djembe). They have been performing
together for over 20 years. Kucha and Baba Tony are traveling artists that have performed
throughout the United States, performing for children, adults and elders.
In addition to telling, Kucha and Baba Tony have facilitated storytelling and drumming
workshops for the Department of Children and Family Services, Umoja, Inc., Alliance Library
System, the Spirit Lights Foundation, Inc., and Public Allies to name a few. They believe stories
are sacred and love sharing their talents that have made them sought after to enhance
programs across the country. They were recently featured Storytellers at the 42 nd Fox Valley
Folk Music & Storytelling Festival and at the Evanston Public Library’s 4 th Annual
Storytelling Festival. Kucha’s newly released CD entitled, “Planted Bulbs” is now available.
to their performances. Their compelling storytelling is enhanced by audience participation
accompanied by singing, African drumming, learning and lots of fun. And, the audience’s
enthusiastic responses are always welcome. Their programs are highly entertaining, culturally
enriching, and engaging.
Kucha came to storytelling by way of theatre. She toured the Midwest and Canada with several
children’s theatre companies. Storytelling is a marriage of her experience and training, earning
a BA in English and a Master in Business. Baba Tony was a public speaker and trainer prior to
storytelling. He is also a certified coach facilitator. He plays an array of instruments. Baba Tony
also teaches the primary foundation skills of drumming (Djembe). They have been performing
together for over 20 years. Kucha and Baba Tony are traveling artists that have performed
throughout the United States, performing for children, adults and elders.
In addition to telling, Kucha and Baba Tony have facilitated storytelling and drumming
workshops for the Department of Children and Family Services, Umoja, Inc., Alliance Library
System, the Spirit Lights Foundation, Inc., and Public Allies to name a few. They believe stories
are sacred and love sharing their talents that have made them sought after to enhance
programs across the country. They were recently featured Storytellers at the 42 nd Fox Valley
Folk Music & Storytelling Festival and at the Evanston Public Library’s 4 th Annual
Storytelling Festival. Kucha’s newly released CD entitled, “Planted Bulbs” is now available.
jasmin cardenas
Cuentos From The Americas is a 45-60min Bilingual (Spanish/English) journey of stories
from North, Central, South America and the Caribbean Islands. As well as personal stories from Jasmin’s experience of being stuck in between her identities as un Colombiana and an American. The stories are a mix of ancient legends, myths, folktales and a personal story of being bicultural. Using participatory elements of song, music and dance listeners will be on their feet by the end learning how to Latin dance!!! Invited by Author Pat Mora Jasmin is an official Día de los Niños Ambassador. Programs available based on ages (younger vs older audiences or All Ages audiences. www.JasminCardenas.com
Jasmin Cardenas is a bridge builder and believes in the power of stories to unite us. She has told stories to thousands of children, families and adult audiences all over the Chicagoland area in early childhood centers, schools, libraries, universities, street festivals, bars, cafes and storytelling festivals. Summer of 2022 she toured 20 Branches across the Chicago Public Libraries as a featured City of Stories workshop presenter encouraging Chicagoans of all ages to tell their stories through theater techniques. Check out her latest project, a children’s book adaptation in collaboration with The Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Chicago Children’s Theater. Jasmin is the Adaptor and Bilingual Narrator of Maybe Something Beautiful, a new puppet film for children. A story of how art transforms a neighborhood. In Sept 2022 Jasmin performed at the Mitambo Theater Festival in Harare, Zimbabwe and in Johannesburg, South Africa with her newest solo show DISPOSABLE. Jasmin was selected by UNESCO as the U.S. representative on 2022 World Theater Day, she gave the U.S Emergent Artist Message.
An international 2020-2022 LAB Fellow of Georgetown University’s Laboratory for Global Performance and Politics, Jasmin recognizes the social impact of this work. Making her joyful national debut at the 2016 National Storytelling Festival’s Exchange Place stage. One of the first Latina’s to receive The Race Bridges Storytelling Fellowship Jasmin uses storytelling and theater to pursue justice and humanity. She launched the bilingual Cuentos Aqui Storytelling literacy program for the Chicago Public Libraries and was the original KOHL/McCormick StoryBUS Teller. A professional actress, director, writer and Chicago native, Jasmin has performed at Steppenwolf, Goodman Theater and Adventure Stage Chicago, among others. Her one-woman show ¿ Niña Buena? toured throughout Chicago and to an international festival in Mexico. Currently Jasmin is focused on working class stories with her collective The Workers’ Theater, made up of low wage workers here in America. A proud SAG-AFTRA member who’s TV credits include NBC Chicago Fire, Showtime’s The CHI & ABC’s Betrayal.
from North, Central, South America and the Caribbean Islands. As well as personal stories from Jasmin’s experience of being stuck in between her identities as un Colombiana and an American. The stories are a mix of ancient legends, myths, folktales and a personal story of being bicultural. Using participatory elements of song, music and dance listeners will be on their feet by the end learning how to Latin dance!!! Invited by Author Pat Mora Jasmin is an official Día de los Niños Ambassador. Programs available based on ages (younger vs older audiences or All Ages audiences. www.JasminCardenas.com
Jasmin Cardenas is a bridge builder and believes in the power of stories to unite us. She has told stories to thousands of children, families and adult audiences all over the Chicagoland area in early childhood centers, schools, libraries, universities, street festivals, bars, cafes and storytelling festivals. Summer of 2022 she toured 20 Branches across the Chicago Public Libraries as a featured City of Stories workshop presenter encouraging Chicagoans of all ages to tell their stories through theater techniques. Check out her latest project, a children’s book adaptation in collaboration with The Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Chicago Children’s Theater. Jasmin is the Adaptor and Bilingual Narrator of Maybe Something Beautiful, a new puppet film for children. A story of how art transforms a neighborhood. In Sept 2022 Jasmin performed at the Mitambo Theater Festival in Harare, Zimbabwe and in Johannesburg, South Africa with her newest solo show DISPOSABLE. Jasmin was selected by UNESCO as the U.S. representative on 2022 World Theater Day, she gave the U.S Emergent Artist Message.
An international 2020-2022 LAB Fellow of Georgetown University’s Laboratory for Global Performance and Politics, Jasmin recognizes the social impact of this work. Making her joyful national debut at the 2016 National Storytelling Festival’s Exchange Place stage. One of the first Latina’s to receive The Race Bridges Storytelling Fellowship Jasmin uses storytelling and theater to pursue justice and humanity. She launched the bilingual Cuentos Aqui Storytelling literacy program for the Chicago Public Libraries and was the original KOHL/McCormick StoryBUS Teller. A professional actress, director, writer and Chicago native, Jasmin has performed at Steppenwolf, Goodman Theater and Adventure Stage Chicago, among others. Her one-woman show ¿ Niña Buena? toured throughout Chicago and to an international festival in Mexico. Currently Jasmin is focused on working class stories with her collective The Workers’ Theater, made up of low wage workers here in America. A proud SAG-AFTRA member who’s TV credits include NBC Chicago Fire, Showtime’s The CHI & ABC’s Betrayal.
Peter cook
Peter S. Cook is an internationally reputed Deaf performing artist whose works
incorporates American Sign Language, pantomime, storytelling, acting, and movement.
He has traveled extensively around the country and aboard with Flying Words Project to
promote ASL Literature with Kenny Lerner since 1986. Peter has appeared in Live from
Off Center’s “Words on Mouth” (PBS) and “United States of Poetry” (PBS) produced by
Emmy winner Bob Holman.
Peter was featured at the National Storytelling festival in Jonesborough, Tenn., and the
Tales of Graz in Graz, Austria, The Deaf Way II and the Millennium Stage at the
Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Peter has worked with Deaf storytellers/poets in
Europe, Brazil, Israel, and Japan. Peter was invited to the White House to join the
National Book Festival in 2003. He also involved in numerous film projects including the
ITV’s Signed Stories.
Peter lives in Chicago and is Associate Professor, and the Chair of the ASL Department
at Columbia College Chicago. He received the 1997 Excellence in Teaching award as
well as one of the finalists for 2018 Excellence in Teaching award.
incorporates American Sign Language, pantomime, storytelling, acting, and movement.
He has traveled extensively around the country and aboard with Flying Words Project to
promote ASL Literature with Kenny Lerner since 1986. Peter has appeared in Live from
Off Center’s “Words on Mouth” (PBS) and “United States of Poetry” (PBS) produced by
Emmy winner Bob Holman.
Peter was featured at the National Storytelling festival in Jonesborough, Tenn., and the
Tales of Graz in Graz, Austria, The Deaf Way II and the Millennium Stage at the
Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Peter has worked with Deaf storytellers/poets in
Europe, Brazil, Israel, and Japan. Peter was invited to the White House to join the
National Book Festival in 2003. He also involved in numerous film projects including the
ITV’s Signed Stories.
Peter lives in Chicago and is Associate Professor, and the Chair of the ASL Department
at Columbia College Chicago. He received the 1997 Excellence in Teaching award as
well as one of the finalists for 2018 Excellence in Teaching award.
janice del negro
Janice M. Del Negro, PhD, is a storyteller who excavates and decorates the bones of
traditional folk and fairy tales as an invitation to others to do the same; her focus is
reimagining traditional folktales to make them emotionally resonant for
contemporary listeners. Del Negro has been a featured storyteller and presenter at
the National Storytelling Conference, the Society for Children’s Book Writers and
Illustrators, the Northlands Storytelling Conference, the Mariposa Storytelling
Festival, the National Storytelling Festival, the Moonshell Storytelling Festival, the
Rocky Mountain Storytelling Conference, the Tejas Storytelling Festival, and many
other celebratory events. Her book, Folktales Aloud: Practical Tips for Playful
Storytelling was awarded a Storytelling World Resource Award in 2015. Her most
recent title, Engaging Teens with Story: How to Inspire and Educate Youth with
Storytelling (2017) received a Storytelling World Resource Award and was
named SLC/ARBA’s “Best Professional Resource for School or Youth Librarians”. Her
latest recording is Fortune’s Daughters: Ghost Tales and Folktales. In 2016, Del Negro received the National Storytelling Network’s Circle of Excellence Award, “presented to artists who are recognized by their peers to be master storytellers who set the standards for excellence and have demonstrated, over a significant period of time, a commitment and dedication to the art of storytelling.” Del Negro is a professor at the School of Information Studies at Dominican University in River Forest, Illinois.
traditional folk and fairy tales as an invitation to others to do the same; her focus is
reimagining traditional folktales to make them emotionally resonant for
contemporary listeners. Del Negro has been a featured storyteller and presenter at
the National Storytelling Conference, the Society for Children’s Book Writers and
Illustrators, the Northlands Storytelling Conference, the Mariposa Storytelling
Festival, the National Storytelling Festival, the Moonshell Storytelling Festival, the
Rocky Mountain Storytelling Conference, the Tejas Storytelling Festival, and many
other celebratory events. Her book, Folktales Aloud: Practical Tips for Playful
Storytelling was awarded a Storytelling World Resource Award in 2015. Her most
recent title, Engaging Teens with Story: How to Inspire and Educate Youth with
Storytelling (2017) received a Storytelling World Resource Award and was
named SLC/ARBA’s “Best Professional Resource for School or Youth Librarians”. Her
latest recording is Fortune’s Daughters: Ghost Tales and Folktales. In 2016, Del Negro received the National Storytelling Network’s Circle of Excellence Award, “presented to artists who are recognized by their peers to be master storytellers who set the standards for excellence and have demonstrated, over a significant period of time, a commitment and dedication to the art of storytelling.” Del Negro is a professor at the School of Information Studies at Dominican University in River Forest, Illinois.
CHRIS FASCIONE
Chris Fascione’s greatest passion has always been entertaining children and their families, connecting with and engaging his audience through his fun, energetic and high-spirited performances. He presents his one-man show, “Bringing Literature to Life!,” in which he acts out stories his audience can then check out from the school or local library, for schools, libraries and other family venues. Chris has been touring throughout the United States for over twenty five years, performing over 300 shows annually. He has conducted workshops on storytelling and read-aloud techniques to educational professionals and has been the keynote speaker at numerous literary events and Young Authors conferences. Chris is delighted to be a part of this year’s Spring Grove Storytelling Festival!
Chris is a “Storytelling World” award-winner, has been featured through “Reading is Fundamental,” highlighted at the Connecticut and Illinois Storytelling Festivals, and has appeared on several children’s television programs. He has been honored to have been selected by the Illinois Arts Council to be on their Artstour Roster of Artists for many years.
As a professional storyteller/actor, Chris incorporates his acting, mime, juggling and comedic skills to both entertain and lead children into the world of books, promoting literacy and a love of reading. He received his theater training from Connecticut College and the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center and worked with several national children’s theater companies such as the Missoula Children’s Theater and Child’s Play Touring Theatre prior to developing his own show. Originally from Philadelphia, Chris and his late beloved wife Diane adopted and raised two terrific kids, Nick and Andrew, in Oak Park, Illinois, where Chris makes his home. The boys are now on their own, but Cleo, the cat, is still happily fed here.
https://chrisfascione.com/
Chris is a “Storytelling World” award-winner, has been featured through “Reading is Fundamental,” highlighted at the Connecticut and Illinois Storytelling Festivals, and has appeared on several children’s television programs. He has been honored to have been selected by the Illinois Arts Council to be on their Artstour Roster of Artists for many years.
As a professional storyteller/actor, Chris incorporates his acting, mime, juggling and comedic skills to both entertain and lead children into the world of books, promoting literacy and a love of reading. He received his theater training from Connecticut College and the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center and worked with several national children’s theater companies such as the Missoula Children’s Theater and Child’s Play Touring Theatre prior to developing his own show. Originally from Philadelphia, Chris and his late beloved wife Diane adopted and raised two terrific kids, Nick and Andrew, in Oak Park, Illinois, where Chris makes his home. The boys are now on their own, but Cleo, the cat, is still happily fed here.
https://chrisfascione.com/
carol Kerman
Carol Kaufman-Kerman works outdoors in a Jewish nature preschool called Ta'am Teva. She gets to tell stories about evergreens with spruce and pine trees towering over her and the kids. Her stories spark the imagination for little listeners and adults too. She's told stories at preschools, storytelling festivals and corporate events. Her personal stories remind us of our own life and family and the anecdotes that have shaped us. She believes that we keep our loved ones alive through story.
kory may
Back in the olden times, before the pandemic, Kory
May went online and looked up storytelling in the
Midwest. One name caught his eye…Jim May. Since
his father’s name was ALSO Jim May, Kory felt
compelled to reach out. When they finally met, it was
impossible to get past the uncanny family resemblance.
They’re storytelling cousins on opposite sides of the
Mississippi. Last year, Kory helped reinvigorate live
storytelling in his native Eastern Iowa. This past spring,
Kory won a Moth GrandSlam in the Twin Cities. He
was delighted.
Kory May, Iowa City, Iowa.
Tiktok: korythomasmay
Facebook: Kory Thomas May
LinkedIn: Kory May
May went online and looked up storytelling in the
Midwest. One name caught his eye…Jim May. Since
his father’s name was ALSO Jim May, Kory felt
compelled to reach out. When they finally met, it was
impossible to get past the uncanny family resemblance.
They’re storytelling cousins on opposite sides of the
Mississippi. Last year, Kory helped reinvigorate live
storytelling in his native Eastern Iowa. This past spring,
Kory won a Moth GrandSlam in the Twin Cities. He
was delighted.
Kory May, Iowa City, Iowa.
Tiktok: korythomasmay
Facebook: Kory Thomas May
LinkedIn: Kory May
sue o'halloran
Since 1969, Sue O’Halloran has performed nationally and internationally and has led thousands of seminars in corporate and nonprofit settings. Sue is author of several books including Common Cross-Cultural Mistakes and Compelling Stories, Compelling Causes: Nonprofit Marketing Success.
In addition, Sue has produced and performed in award-winning multicultural performances including White, Black and Brown: Tribes & Bridges at the Steppenwolf Theatre and More Alike Than Not: Stories of Three Americans – Christian, Jewish and Muslim. She was the producer/director of the first online story festival in 2012 that reached 52 countries. Her Racebridges website showcased 260 social justice video stories and received over half a million visitors each year.
Featured on PBS, ABC Nightline and in The New York Times, The Boston Globe and The Chicago Tribune, The Chicago Reader’s Critic Choice writes, “O’Halloran has mastered the Irish art of telling stories that are funny and heart-wrenching at the same time.” www.SusanOHalloran.com
In addition, Sue has produced and performed in award-winning multicultural performances including White, Black and Brown: Tribes & Bridges at the Steppenwolf Theatre and More Alike Than Not: Stories of Three Americans – Christian, Jewish and Muslim. She was the producer/director of the first online story festival in 2012 that reached 52 countries. Her Racebridges website showcased 260 social justice video stories and received over half a million visitors each year.
Featured on PBS, ABC Nightline and in The New York Times, The Boston Globe and The Chicago Tribune, The Chicago Reader’s Critic Choice writes, “O’Halloran has mastered the Irish art of telling stories that are funny and heart-wrenching at the same time.” www.SusanOHalloran.com
beth horner
Beth performed at the very first Illinois Storytelling Festival in Spring Grove in
1984 and loved being a part of the festival over the years. She is delighted to be
back.
A National Storytelling Network Circle of Excellence Oracle Award recipient, Beth
Horner is a 40-year internationally touring spoken word artist who is sought after
as a Storyteller, teaching artist, consultant and narrative coach. Beth has
performed multiple times at the National Storytelling Festival, for NASA, on Live
From National Geographic, for the International Art of Storytelling Festival, the
Starlight Educational Foundation of Taiwan, and for Lyrics &; Lore: A Weekend
with Songwriters; Storytellers at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort. She is a
former Board Member of the National Storytelling Association, conducted a
series of workshops for NASA Engineers and Astrobiologists in California and
Washington, D.C., and served as narrative consultant for NASA/Johnson Space
Center’s Story Mining project for which she collected the stories of the scientists
behind the Apollo Space Missions.
Noted for her vivacious stage presence, comic sensibility and warm,
energetic style, Beth possesses a repertoire of stories that has been called
“heartfelt, articulate and truthful.” Her stories are renowned for their high comedy
and stunning drama: from her hysterical childhood farmyard escapades to eerie
folktales of her native Missouri, from a side-splitting bawdy spoof on romance
novels to a courageous tale drawn from her great-great grandfather’s Civil War
diary, from the humorously inspiring story of a song that motivated change in a
city’s sewage policy to her comedic tour-de-force tale told with nothing but the
buzzing cadences of a kazoo, and from the empowering Chinese folktale of the
warrior Li Chi to the powerful true story of a young American woman who fought
in Iraq.
Beth was born on a farm in Boone County, Missouri where she came to
the art of storytelling naturally, having been raised by a city grandmother who told
her fairy tales learned from library books, an English Professor mother who
introduced her to literature and poetry, a sister who starred her in farmyard
productions of plays and musicals and a Farmer/Meteorologist father who
regaled her with stories of her ancestors – of both good and questionable repute!
Although her education began in a small rural school, Beth's love of story spurred
her on to earn a Masters Degree in Library Science and to become a Librarian
before launching into Storytelling performance, consultancy and teaching.
Beth is absolutely dedicated to the Storytelling art form and to the connections
it creates between generations and cultures. Beth’s love of all kinds of stories –
traditional, literary, family, musical, historical and hysterical – makes her a joyous
emissary into the world of story. www.BethHorner.com
1984 and loved being a part of the festival over the years. She is delighted to be
back.
A National Storytelling Network Circle of Excellence Oracle Award recipient, Beth
Horner is a 40-year internationally touring spoken word artist who is sought after
as a Storyteller, teaching artist, consultant and narrative coach. Beth has
performed multiple times at the National Storytelling Festival, for NASA, on Live
From National Geographic, for the International Art of Storytelling Festival, the
Starlight Educational Foundation of Taiwan, and for Lyrics &; Lore: A Weekend
with Songwriters; Storytellers at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort. She is a
former Board Member of the National Storytelling Association, conducted a
series of workshops for NASA Engineers and Astrobiologists in California and
Washington, D.C., and served as narrative consultant for NASA/Johnson Space
Center’s Story Mining project for which she collected the stories of the scientists
behind the Apollo Space Missions.
Noted for her vivacious stage presence, comic sensibility and warm,
energetic style, Beth possesses a repertoire of stories that has been called
“heartfelt, articulate and truthful.” Her stories are renowned for their high comedy
and stunning drama: from her hysterical childhood farmyard escapades to eerie
folktales of her native Missouri, from a side-splitting bawdy spoof on romance
novels to a courageous tale drawn from her great-great grandfather’s Civil War
diary, from the humorously inspiring story of a song that motivated change in a
city’s sewage policy to her comedic tour-de-force tale told with nothing but the
buzzing cadences of a kazoo, and from the empowering Chinese folktale of the
warrior Li Chi to the powerful true story of a young American woman who fought
in Iraq.
Beth was born on a farm in Boone County, Missouri where she came to
the art of storytelling naturally, having been raised by a city grandmother who told
her fairy tales learned from library books, an English Professor mother who
introduced her to literature and poetry, a sister who starred her in farmyard
productions of plays and musicals and a Farmer/Meteorologist father who
regaled her with stories of her ancestors – of both good and questionable repute!
Although her education began in a small rural school, Beth's love of story spurred
her on to earn a Masters Degree in Library Science and to become a Librarian
before launching into Storytelling performance, consultancy and teaching.
Beth is absolutely dedicated to the Storytelling art form and to the connections
it creates between generations and cultures. Beth’s love of all kinds of stories –
traditional, literary, family, musical, historical and hysterical – makes her a joyous
emissary into the world of story. www.BethHorner.com
in the spirit
Chicago-based In the Spirit is Zahra Baker and Emily Hooper Lansana, They have been performing together for nearly 20 years. They are a Storytelling duo of African American stories and songs.
Emily Hooper Lansana is an arts administrator, educator and performing artist, she is Senior Director of Community Arts Engagement at the Logan Center for the Arts at the University of Chicago. She performs with In the Spirit. She has been featured at the National Storytelling Festival, the National Association of Black Storytellers Festival, and at many venues. She enjoys passing on traditions as a coach and mentor with Ase Youth Group and Rebirth Poetry Ensemble. She received her BA in Theater Studies from Yale University and MA in Performance Studies from Northwestern University.
Zahra Glenda Baker has worked as a teaching artist in the performing arts for more than 30 years. She began her teaching career as an early childhood music instructor in the Wiggleworms program at the Old Town School of Folk Music, where she also developed and implemented a Chicago Public School music residency highlighting African American acapella vocal traditions. She specializes in arts integration and finds collaborating with classroom teachers and students invigorating and inspiring.
Her extensive list of residencies and partnerships include: Harmony, Hope and Healing; Urban Gateways; Chicago Lights; Ravinia Music Festival; Albany Park Theater Project; About Face Youth Theater; Highwire City Learning Centre in London, England; eta Creative Arts Foundation; and the Chicago Park District, where she co-founded TRACE (Teens Re-imaging Art, Community and Environment). She enjoys being involved in projects that create opportunities in which participants of all ages explore personal and communal expression though music, storytelling, performance art, and the visual arts.
Zahra Glenda Baker's Website
https://www.sonicbids.com/band/in-the-spirit/
Emily Hooper Lansana is an arts administrator, educator and performing artist, she is Senior Director of Community Arts Engagement at the Logan Center for the Arts at the University of Chicago. She performs with In the Spirit. She has been featured at the National Storytelling Festival, the National Association of Black Storytellers Festival, and at many venues. She enjoys passing on traditions as a coach and mentor with Ase Youth Group and Rebirth Poetry Ensemble. She received her BA in Theater Studies from Yale University and MA in Performance Studies from Northwestern University.
Zahra Glenda Baker has worked as a teaching artist in the performing arts for more than 30 years. She began her teaching career as an early childhood music instructor in the Wiggleworms program at the Old Town School of Folk Music, where she also developed and implemented a Chicago Public School music residency highlighting African American acapella vocal traditions. She specializes in arts integration and finds collaborating with classroom teachers and students invigorating and inspiring.
Her extensive list of residencies and partnerships include: Harmony, Hope and Healing; Urban Gateways; Chicago Lights; Ravinia Music Festival; Albany Park Theater Project; About Face Youth Theater; Highwire City Learning Centre in London, England; eta Creative Arts Foundation; and the Chicago Park District, where she co-founded TRACE (Teens Re-imaging Art, Community and Environment). She enjoys being involved in projects that create opportunities in which participants of all ages explore personal and communal expression though music, storytelling, performance art, and the visual arts.
Zahra Glenda Baker's Website
https://www.sonicbids.com/band/in-the-spirit/
NESTOR "THE BOSS" GOMEZ
Nestor “the Boss” Gomez
Was born in Guatemala and traveled to Chicago Undocumented in the mid 80’s. He told his first story at a Moth story slam to get over the stuttering that plagued his childhood, since then he has won more than 70 Moth Slams. Nestor has performed and conducted storytelling workshops in multiple locations around the country.
He also created his own storytelling show 80 Minutes Around the World a show that features the stories of Immigrants and refugees from different parts of the world, their descendants, and allies. 80 Minutes Around the World is also available as a Podcast.
Nestor also published a collection of stories detailing his experiences driving for ride sharing title “Your Driver Has Arrived” To listen and subscribe to the podcast, to buy his book and to learn more about Nestor visit his website Nestorgomezstoryteller.com
Nestor “the boss” Gomez
Nacio en Guatemala y viajo a Chicago sin documentos a mediados de los 80. Nestor conto su primer relato en un evento de la Moth para poder vencer la tartamudez que atormento su niñez, desde entonces a ganado mas de 70 competencias de la Moth. Sus relatos han sido transmitidos en programas de radio a nivel nacional. Nestor es el creador, director y anfitrion de su propio programa de relatos 80 minutos alrededor del mundo en que se relatan las historias de Inmigrantes y refugiados de diferentes partes del mundo, ademas de los relatos de sus descendientes y aliados con el fin de proveer un mejor entendimiento de las realidades, luchas y sueños de la experiencia migratoria.
80 minutos alrededor del mundo tambien esta disponible come Podcast. Para escuchar y subscribirse al programa y para aprender aun mas sobre Nestor por favor de visitar la pagina de internet Nestorgomezstoryteller.com
https://www.nestorgomezstoryteller.com/
Was born in Guatemala and traveled to Chicago Undocumented in the mid 80’s. He told his first story at a Moth story slam to get over the stuttering that plagued his childhood, since then he has won more than 70 Moth Slams. Nestor has performed and conducted storytelling workshops in multiple locations around the country.
He also created his own storytelling show 80 Minutes Around the World a show that features the stories of Immigrants and refugees from different parts of the world, their descendants, and allies. 80 Minutes Around the World is also available as a Podcast.
Nestor also published a collection of stories detailing his experiences driving for ride sharing title “Your Driver Has Arrived” To listen and subscribe to the podcast, to buy his book and to learn more about Nestor visit his website Nestorgomezstoryteller.com
Nestor “the boss” Gomez
Nacio en Guatemala y viajo a Chicago sin documentos a mediados de los 80. Nestor conto su primer relato en un evento de la Moth para poder vencer la tartamudez que atormento su niñez, desde entonces a ganado mas de 70 competencias de la Moth. Sus relatos han sido transmitidos en programas de radio a nivel nacional. Nestor es el creador, director y anfitrion de su propio programa de relatos 80 minutos alrededor del mundo en que se relatan las historias de Inmigrantes y refugiados de diferentes partes del mundo, ademas de los relatos de sus descendientes y aliados con el fin de proveer un mejor entendimiento de las realidades, luchas y sueños de la experiencia migratoria.
80 minutos alrededor del mundo tambien esta disponible come Podcast. Para escuchar y subscribirse al programa y para aprender aun mas sobre Nestor por favor de visitar la pagina de internet Nestorgomezstoryteller.com
https://www.nestorgomezstoryteller.com/
DAN KEDING
Dan Keding, storyteller of international acclaim, is well known for his telling of traditional world folktales, personal narratives of his boyhood in Chicago, ghost stories and dark tales, and superbly crafted original pieces. As a child he learned the traditional stories that his grandmother brought to this country from Croatia. A well-respected ballad singer, he accompanies himself on guitar, banjo and spoons. This combination of dynamic storytelling and powerful ballad singing has made him a festival and concert favorite throughout the US, Great Britain and Ireland, endearing him to audiences of all ages. https://www.dankeding.com/
JIM MAY
Jim May is a former teacher, college counselor, and an EMMY award-winning storyteller and author. He has been a full time, free lance storyteller since 1986. His storytelling appearances include venues across the US, as well as in Canada, Mexico, Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales and Paris. He has been inducted into the National Storytelling Network’s “Circle of Excellence”(Hall of Fame).
Jim is the founding Artistic Director of the Illinois Storytelling Festival held in Spring Grove, Il and served as it’s artistic guide for twenty years. The festival received annual programming grants from The Illinois Arts Council and was listed by “Parenting” magazine as one of America’s best family events.
His first collection of stories, THE FARM ON NIPPERSINK CREEK (August House, Atlanta, 1994) won a Best Book award from the American Public Library Association. His latest collection of stories, TRAIL GUIDE FOR A CROOKED HEART (Parkhurst Brothers, Marion, Mi 2016) won an Anne Izard best book award from the Westchester County, New York public library foundation.
https://jimmaystoryteller.com/
Jim is the founding Artistic Director of the Illinois Storytelling Festival held in Spring Grove, Il and served as it’s artistic guide for twenty years. The festival received annual programming grants from The Illinois Arts Council and was listed by “Parenting” magazine as one of America’s best family events.
His first collection of stories, THE FARM ON NIPPERSINK CREEK (August House, Atlanta, 1994) won a Best Book award from the American Public Library Association. His latest collection of stories, TRAIL GUIDE FOR A CROOKED HEART (Parkhurst Brothers, Marion, Mi 2016) won an Anne Izard best book award from the Westchester County, New York public library foundation.
https://jimmaystoryteller.com/
anne shimojima
Anne Shimojima, a retired school library media specialist, has been telling stories from her Asian heritage and around the world for forty years at festivals, schools, libraries, senior communities, museums, and lately, on Zoom. She was a featured teller at the National Storytelling Festival in 2017 and has twice been a Teller-in-Residence at the International Storytelling Center in Jonesborough, TN. Other past venues include the Illinois Storytelling Festival, Timpanogos Storytelling Conference, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Chicago History Museum, and Illinois Holocaust Museum.
In 2019 Anne’s CD Sakura Tales: Stories from Japan won a Storytelling World Resource Honor Award.
In 2006 Anne created her story Hidden Memory: An American World War II Story, about her Japanese American family’s immigration to the United States and through the incarceration camps of World War II. In 2019 she was invited by the government of Japan to tell her story to three Tokyo high schools and in 2022 Anne was decorated with the Order of the Rising Sun, Silver Rays, conferred by His Majesty the Emperor of Japan, for her work in promoting Japanese culture in the United States. www.anneshimojima.com
In 2019 Anne’s CD Sakura Tales: Stories from Japan won a Storytelling World Resource Honor Award.
In 2006 Anne created her story Hidden Memory: An American World War II Story, about her Japanese American family’s immigration to the United States and through the incarceration camps of World War II. In 2019 she was invited by the government of Japan to tell her story to three Tokyo high schools and in 2022 Anne was decorated with the Order of the Rising Sun, Silver Rays, conferred by His Majesty the Emperor of Japan, for her work in promoting Japanese culture in the United States. www.anneshimojima.com
susan stone
Susan Stone is a professional storyteller and teaching artist.
She shares, with an open heart, world folklore, Jewish folktales as well as
Chasidic tales, and personal stories for adults and children.Her stories have appeared in many anthologies and her recordings have garnered Parents' Choice Gold, Storytelling World, and NAPPA Gold Awards. She has directed for the Chicago Jewish Theatre. Major performances include: Chicago YIVO: Summer Festival of Yiddish Culture, IL Storytelling Festival, Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago Children's Humanities Festival, Chicago History Museum, and performances at festivals in Warsaw, Lodz and Lublin, Poland. Most recently Susan has offered workshops at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum and Library, The Illinois Holocaust Museum, and Hands of Peace (Jewish/Israeli/Palestinian teens). Susan tours the country with “Sisters of Story”, an interfaith performance troupe.
She is thrilled to be participating with that special guy...Jim May-- at this festival.
Her tales entertain, enlighten and illuminate the human condition.
She shares, with an open heart, world folklore, Jewish folktales as well as
Chasidic tales, and personal stories for adults and children.Her stories have appeared in many anthologies and her recordings have garnered Parents' Choice Gold, Storytelling World, and NAPPA Gold Awards. She has directed for the Chicago Jewish Theatre. Major performances include: Chicago YIVO: Summer Festival of Yiddish Culture, IL Storytelling Festival, Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago Children's Humanities Festival, Chicago History Museum, and performances at festivals in Warsaw, Lodz and Lublin, Poland. Most recently Susan has offered workshops at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum and Library, The Illinois Holocaust Museum, and Hands of Peace (Jewish/Israeli/Palestinian teens). Susan tours the country with “Sisters of Story”, an interfaith performance troupe.
She is thrilled to be participating with that special guy...Jim May-- at this festival.
Her tales entertain, enlighten and illuminate the human condition.
will tremont
For the last 35 years two time World Magic Award winner Will Tremont has entertained audiences across the country and around the world as a renowned raconteur and with engaging sleight of hand. Will’s storytelling roots go back 3 generations to 1873 when his great grandfather was kidnapped by Gypsies in Italy, a story Will recounts in his one man show Sleight of Heart.
MEGAN WELLS
Megan Wells is a respected and experienced story and theater artist. She is known for creating an intimate storytelling atmosphere, infusing her characters with living souls, and delivering the experience with delicious theatrical timing. Author and Professor Rives Collins says it best:
"Megan Wells is both intimate and epic in equal measure."
An award-winning storyteller, Megan performs in museums and symphonies, enhances education for thousands of children, entertains families in festivals and libraries, and helps executives, actors, and storytellers craft powerful stories to effect change.
With more than forty years of experience, Megan has developed an extensive story repertoire. Perhaps, her daughters describe her most accurately:
"Mom's a storytelling jukebox. Put a quarter 'n pick your favorite!"
Megan is also among the top literary storytellers in America. As the Artistic Director of the Ray Bradbury Storytelling Festival, Megan was granted permission by Ray himself to perform his works. Additionally, she is equally comfortable in the jazzier domains of Chicago's current spoken word explosion.
https://www.meganwells.com/
"Megan Wells is both intimate and epic in equal measure."
An award-winning storyteller, Megan performs in museums and symphonies, enhances education for thousands of children, entertains families in festivals and libraries, and helps executives, actors, and storytellers craft powerful stories to effect change.
With more than forty years of experience, Megan has developed an extensive story repertoire. Perhaps, her daughters describe her most accurately:
"Mom's a storytelling jukebox. Put a quarter 'n pick your favorite!"
Megan is also among the top literary storytellers in America. As the Artistic Director of the Ray Bradbury Storytelling Festival, Megan was granted permission by Ray himself to perform his works. Additionally, she is equally comfortable in the jazzier domains of Chicago's current spoken word explosion.
https://www.meganwells.com/
