2024 Festival StoryTellers
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.
noa baum
Noa Baum is described by the Washington Post as someone who "spreads cultural truths that eclipse geopolitical boundaries...". Born and raised in Israel, Noa is an award-winning storyteller, author and coach focusing on the power of narrative to heal across divides of identity and build bridges of peace. She was an actress at Jerusalem Khan Theater, studied with Uta Hagen in NYC and holds an M.A. from NYU in drama therapy. Noa presented at The World Bank; Mayo Clinic; NSA; National storytelling Festival, Kennedy Center; USDA, and Stanford University. Noa’s memoir A Land Twice Promised won several awards including the Anne Izard Storytellers Choice Award. How the Birds Became Friends is her award-winning children’s book. www.noabaum.com
Watch Noa's TEDx talk: https://tinyurl.com/ya4y7dze
Beyond Labels - Bridging Differences through Storytelling
Connect on FaceBook: www.facebook.com/NoaBaumStorytelling
Reviews of Noa's book A Land Twice Promised
'A penetrating, introspective (story) that mines the depths of the chasm between the Israeli and Palestinian experience, the torment of family loss and conflict, and the therapy of storytelling as a cleansing art. --David K. Shipler, Pulitzer Prize-winner
Watch Noa's TEDx talk: https://tinyurl.com/ya4y7dze
Beyond Labels - Bridging Differences through Storytelling
Connect on FaceBook: www.facebook.com/NoaBaumStorytelling
Reviews of Noa's book A Land Twice Promised
'A penetrating, introspective (story) that mines the depths of the chasm between the Israeli and Palestinian experience, the torment of family loss and conflict, and the therapy of storytelling as a cleansing art. --David K. Shipler, Pulitzer Prize-winner
GAIL BEDESSEM
Gail has been “sharing stories” as a teacher and interpreter for almost 50 years. The Deaf Community she found through her studies of American Sign Language has enriched her life in countless ways.
The power of language, most specially when shared face-to-face, continues to awe and sustain her faith in humanity. Summer days spent in the tents of the Illinois Storyelling Festivals over the years count among her fondest memories.
The power of language, most specially when shared face-to-face, continues to awe and sustain her faith in humanity. Summer days spent in the tents of the Illinois Storyelling Festivals over the years count among her fondest memories.
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 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.
Amy Crump
Amy Crump has been telling stories for 20 years -- to anyone who stops long enough to listen. She participates in several of the Do Not Submit open mics around the Chicago area. Her most recent performance for a larger audience was as Featured Teller for the Illinois Storytelling Inc. in December 2023.
Jeff Degner
Jeff Degner regales listeners with stories about his amazing, 45-year, public-contact career with Delta Air Lines at O’Hare. He also shares poignant tales about his 30-year involvement with the humanitarian charity, “Healing the Children.” He lives in Barrington, IL, with his
wife, Marcie, and their rescue dog, Treasure. Jeff is the author of two books: What Track is the Atlanta Flight, and Runway to Recoveries. Both books are available at the Spring Grove Festival Bookstore or via Amazon.com.
wife, Marcie, and their rescue dog, Treasure. Jeff is the author of two books: What Track is the Atlanta Flight, and Runway to Recoveries. Both books are available at the Spring Grove Festival Bookstore or via Amazon.com.
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/
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
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
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
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
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
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/
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/
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/
Loren Niemi
Loren Niemi has spent forty-five years as a professional storyteller, creating, collecting, performing, teaching and writing about what it means to be human with audiences of all ages in urban and rural settings. In 2016 he was recipient of the National Storytelling Network’s Lifetime Achievement award. In 2023 he was on stage at both the National Storytelling Festival and the Toronto International Storytelling Festival. He is the co-author, with Elizabeth Ellis, of the critically acclaimed Inviting the Wolf In: Thinking About Difficult Stories on the value and necessity of the stories that are hard to hear and harder to tell. He is also the author of two award-winning books on crafting narrative. His collection of non-traditional “ghost" stories, What Haunts Us, won a 2020 Midwest Book Award. His newest work, Circus Rex, a novel of misadventure and off-handed humor, is available now.
*Loren will sell and sign books on festival grounds, time TBA*
*Loren will sell and sign books on festival grounds, time TBA*
GAIL PERMENTER
Gail is a retired Early Childhood educator. She spent 25 years in the classroom with three, four, and five year old children with varying educational and social needs. It was a wonderful career. She retired in 2015 and has been enjoying leisure time traveling both in and out of the country, reading novels, volunteering in the local food pantry, and being an active member of her church.
Gail has been exploring the world of storytelling since 1994 when on a whim she attended the Illinois Storytelling Festival, met Jim May, took his work shop and from that experience started to write stories and sometimes perform them at open mic opportunities.
She also explored the darkness of deep grief as she traveled the country to collect stories about her father who was killed in Vietnam in 1968. The book is called Colonel Worley’s Quarters, Gail Speaking, (available in the products tent) and is a collection of family stories and friends who knew and worked with her dad. Gail is currently living in Wauconda, Il with her daughter, Michelle and her beloved cat, Willow. She finally feels as if she has a home town because she has lived in the same house on the same street, in the same town for 33 years.
Gail has been exploring the world of storytelling since 1994 when on a whim she attended the Illinois Storytelling Festival, met Jim May, took his work shop and from that experience started to write stories and sometimes perform them at open mic opportunities.
She also explored the darkness of deep grief as she traveled the country to collect stories about her father who was killed in Vietnam in 1968. The book is called Colonel Worley’s Quarters, Gail Speaking, (available in the products tent) and is a collection of family stories and friends who knew and worked with her dad. Gail is currently living in Wauconda, Il with her daughter, Michelle and her beloved cat, Willow. She finally feels as if she has a home town because she has lived in the same house on the same street, in the same town for 33 years.
mike preston
In May of 2020 Mike survived an Aortic Dissection.
Prior to that, he spent 30 years working as a standup comic.
Along the way, he also self published several books and
hosted a cable access talk show. Mike is currently working in
the storytelling genre and exploring other avenues of expression.
Prior to that, he spent 30 years working as a standup comic.
Along the way, he also self published several books and
hosted a cable access talk show. Mike is currently working in
the storytelling genre and exploring other avenues of expression.
mariE ringenberg
Marie Ringenberg is an accomplished storyteller with over 25 years’ experience. This year Marie was Artistic Director and producer for the storytelling concert stage during Labor Day weekend for the 48th Annual Fox Valley Folk Music and Storytelling Festival. Whether funny and frolicking or poignant and pithy, she crafts stories with a directness and simplicity that draws her audience into a sublime and exciting world. She tells stories in song, as well as folktales, fairy tales, and personal stories. As a professional, Marie performs for libraries, schools, conferences, festivals, and women’s groups.
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.
aria wagner
Aria Wagner began her storytelling career more than 7 years ago when she joined Elizabeth Matson's Storytelling Troupe at Hedberg Public Library. Since then, she has enjoyed telling stories in several venues such as The Whitewater Storytelling Festival, WISTGET (Wisconsin Storytellers' Get-Together) and various venues in Janesville. Aria's favorite part of storytelling is to put her own spin on classic fables, and to be able to share new cultures and folktales with others through the art of traditional storytelling.
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/
STACY SHEIN STAPLETON
Stacy has been a professional American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreter for 20+ years. She has experience in a variety of settings. Most recently she has specialized in post-secondary educational interpreting and now K-8 educational interpreting for students and staff. Stacy also has many years of experience in theatrical interpreting in and around the Chicagoland area. From big theatre companies to small community shows and even a middle school production or two. Storytelling is a particular love as an interpreter and even as an audience member.
Michael Larimer
Michael Larimer graduated summa cum laude from Columbia College Chicago with a major in ASL-English interpretation.