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Jackson Gillman

"Stand-Up Chameleon"
P.O. Box 41
Onset, MA 02558
Phone (home): (508) 295-0886
Phone (cell): (508) 322-0847
Email: jxsong@comcast.net
Website: www.jacksongillman.com

Sparkling with energy, wit and whimsy, the "Stand-Up Chameleon" engages and delights audiences of all ages. Song, dance, mime and/or sign language might be incorporated into his performance, or a simple, quiet delivery - whatever works best to bring a story to life.

Dozens of shows are described on www.jacksongillman.com/familyprog.html with testimonial references. Many are nature-oriented and while themes vary, they are all highly visual, energetic and interactive. Speaking to their educational value, Hartford Performs has a very rigorous vetting process which ensures program quality and alignment with Common Core Learning Standards. Seven of his presentations have been accepted which is the most that any individual has with them.

Featured four times at the National Storytelling Festival and at many others across the country. And four-time Teller-in-Resident at the International Storytelling Center. In 2020, Jackson received the Oracle award from the National Storytelling Network and is now part of their distinguished Circle of Excellence. His performance at the close of their annual conference can be viewed on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Exhzn3B0w5M&t=11s

Jackson had his Off-Broadway debut with his Kipling program at the United Solo Theatre Festival in 2014. Of the 130 shows from around the world, it received the Best Educational award. In addition to his family program of Just So Stories, he offers a more historical show, Rudyard Kipling Revisited, for adults.

45 years experience. Easy-going and flexible. References galore. Frequently in CT for work and family visits.

"A masterly storyteller. Compelling..." – Christian Science Monitor

“…one could never err in selecting Jackson. He’s incredible!” – Missouri River Storytelling Festival

Some of his repertoire can be viewed on www.youtube.com/user/JackSONGillman/videos and his web site includes a page of archived stories.

His Springboards for Stories workshop weekend is designed to help individuals develop their own personal stories and is open to all, regardless of experience.  He has taught college storytelling courses and is often tapped by colleagues for private coaching.  Details and testimonials about his workshops and coaching can be found on the respective pages of www.jacksongillman.com

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Carol Glynn - Storyteller/Actress

103 Flanders Road
Niantic, CT 06357-1528
Phone: (860) 334-3470
Email: cglynnarts@gmail.com
Website: www.carolglynnproductions.com

Enter Carol Glynn! Lively, entertaining, energetic and heartfelt, she leaps into your heart with complex characterizations, thoughtful storylines and humor that inspires rip-roaring laughter. Audiences participate in every show. Elementary and family topics include: Bullies, Connecticut Legends, Elections, the Constitution, and detail to writing Fractured Tales. Also, an author, speaker and teaching artist.

Carol’s performance/interactive workshop combinations are available virtually.

"Carol should be on every school's list for presenters.
She is an outstanding professional." – Olga Manos, Program Director, Regional Vacation Academy (S.E. CT).

Fees: Start at $500 per Connecticut show

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Liz Gruber

Storyteller, Educator
29 Tremont Street
Hartford, CT 06105
Phone: (860) 680-2899
Email: lizziegruber@yahoo.com

Fees: negotiable

Over 20 years ago, Liz walked out of the career that helped pay for her children’s college and into storytelling. She’s never looked back. In community events, libraries, schools, and intimate settings, Liz delights in sharing the treasures she’s found in storytelling. She shares world myth, folktales, including stories of strong women, and courageous young people always emphasizing connections between peoples and the earth. Liz offers school residencies that address curriculum and literacy with tales from around the world, often inviting her audience into the performance to the delight of all. Her family and adult presentations may include a song or two, personal stories, and traditional tales and myths whose inspirations come from many different cultures.

Liz has studied the Japanese art of Kamishibai storytelling using illustration and sound effects to draw students into the story in a different way. She also uses the technique to give them an opportunity to tell their own tales. She offers workshops with students in which they may design their own “stage” (really a standing frame for presenting their story illustrations), write their own story or use a favorite, and make illustrations for performance. She has done this in schools as well as running a two-week workshop for young people in University of Hartford’s SummerPlace program.

Liz Gruber holds a masters degree in Oral Traditions.

“We loved hearing the detailed stories from different cultures. We were able to visualize and loved how interactive the program was. We even tried folding origami.” Elem. teacher

“The kids were so engaged and had a great time! They rushed to pack up so they could retell TWO of your stories from last year! I was so impressed with their memories” Elem. teacher

“I love hearing Liz Gruber tell stories … taking me on amazing or puzzling adventures and then her calming voice bringing me home safe at the end.” Adult audience member

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Bill Harley

301 Jacob Street
Seekonk, MA 02771
Phone: 508-336-9703
Email: info@billharley.com
Website: www.billharley.com

Bill Harley travels the U.S and abroad to delight audiences with his original wit, heart-warming stories, songs and insights about the human experience. A versatile presenter, performer, and workshop leader, he is at home with a wide range of audiences and venues. Author, singer, storyteller, educator, Bill uses song and story to paint a vibrant and hilarious picture of growing up, schooling and family life. Bill’s performances are upbeat, participatory and geared specifically for the grade levels he’s performing for.

Recipient of the lifetime achievement award from RI Council for the Humanities “for his use of music, song, and story in building community; and encouraging lifelong learning, exploring and growing”, Bill is available to visit your community as an author, performing artist, workshop leader or keynote speaker. Block-bookings available for author visits and family concerts.

Educators and Parents: to view Bill's TEDx talk, Stories Out Loud, please visit: www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6NCF391SX0

Fees: Vary, according to work booked, negotiable for block-bookings.

“We've been doing One School One Book for the last 6 years and this was hands down the absolute best book for an entire school community; students, parents, and teachers can all relate to the characters and sympathize with the challenges that Charlie faces.” — Southport, CT

"There are three things you need to be a great children's storyteller - great stories, a powerful sense of what it's like to be a kid and terrific delivery. Bill Harley has all this and more." — LA Parent

“...Bill Harley is a national treasure; his voice is the confluence of humor, grace, magic and insight. His stories are ear candy for listeners 3 to 83...” — Out With the Kids

“...a champion yarn-spinner and tunesmith with a sense of wonder, whimsy and mischief...” — Washington Post

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Glenn Harper

Stamford, CT 06905
Phone: 203-559-9349
Email: glennharperstoryteller@gmail.com
Website: www.glennharperweb.com

Glenn is an accomplished and captivating teller of folktales and stories from around the world, drawing in and engaging audiences of all ages, to find universality, meaning, humor and heart in his tales. For 20 years Glenn has been performing workshops, concerts, and residencies in schools, libraries, museums, and other venues. For the past several years has been a Teaching Artist with the Connecticut Storytelling Center, offering residencies in storytelling and literacy skills at schools around the state.

Glenn is also well known for writing and telling original stories, be they modern fairy tales, new ghost stories or his particular specialty, hilarious tales of misadventure, often set in small rural communities. He blends humor, lively characters, and very often singing into his tales to the delight of audiences around the region.

Now offering Zoom and virtual performances in the same lively and engaging style!

“When a story really comes alive, it is such a special experience for everyone involved. As a teller I enjoy that moment as much as the audience does. Stories are such a strong connection to our past and our heritage, and a treasure that can be passed on from generation to generation.” — Glenn

• Featured teller at the Connecticut State Storytelling Festival and at
• Featured teller at LANES (now NEST) New England Storytelling Festival.
• Featured teller at various regional Tellabrations including Cos Cob, Darien, Stamford Rotary,
   Soundwaters and several others.
• Multiple featured performances at Rowayton Tellabration! (The Grandaddy of them all!).

Glenn is available for performances for all ages, 3 to 103.

Also available as a tandem teller with his wife Amy Lilien-Harper.

Fees: Negotiable

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Lorraine Hartin-Gelardi

64 Lincoln Avenue
Beacon, NY 12508
Phone:845-235-7800
Email: lhartin@aol.com
Website: www.Lorrainetells.com
Available for virtual performances and workshops

Lorraine Hartin-Gelardi believes in the power of the spoken word to enlighten, educate and delight all who listen! For 27 years, she has shared the gift of story through performance, workshops, writing and story event production. A versatile performer and emcee, her stories of wit, wonder and wisdom captivate audiences of all ages whether she is standing in the classroom or on a concert stage.

"Lorraine Hartin-Gelardi is a storyteller’s storyteller! Each time she steps center stage to tell a story, be it personal, traditional, or a world folktale, she demonstrates how a master storyteller helps people grow whole as human beings by enabling them to see with their mind’s eye." – Barbara Aliprantis

Her workshop “The Art & Significance of Telling a Good Story” was chosen as part of Special Studies at Chautauqua Institution during the summer of 2015. Participant Diane Kreger had this to say: "I wanted to learn something I didn't already know and add it to what I do know. Well -- I learned a great deal - about myself and the power of just telling a story!”

In 2011, Lorraine won an NSN Member Grant for Reach for the Stars to develop a culture of storytelling with early childhood educators. She partnered with Dutchess Community College Louis Greenspan Day Care Center and mentored teachers and administrators for 18 months, helping them to incorporate storytelling into the curriculum and use stories as a way to share family experiences.

Lorraine is co-founder with Gail Burger, Kusum Gupta and Muriel Horowitz, of the Dutchess Interfaith Story Circle that celebrated its 10th anniversary in October 2014. The circle meets in a different house of worship every month to share stories from a variety of faith traditions and holds an annual Peace Concert: An Afternoon of Sharing Stories.

Lorraine is also co-founder with Karen Pillsworth of Tall Tale/Short Story Productions which recently produced “It Happened One Night…True and Not So True Real-Life Misadventures” at Arts Society of Kingston in Kingston, NY.

Her book Wisdom in the Telling Finding Inspiration and Grace in Traditional Folktales and Myths Retold was the winner of the 2008 Storytelling World Resource Award for Special Storytelling Resources.

Lorraine Hartin-Gelardi - Storyteller
TALES OF IMAGINATION & INSPIRATION
Wisdom in the Telling: Finding Inspiration and Grace in Traditional Folktales and Myths Retold
Winner of the 2008 Storytelling World Resource Award for Special Storytelling Resources

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Jim Hawkins

2500 Parkview Place
Baldwin, NY 11510
Home Phone: 516-868-9346
Cell: 516-695-6718
Email: irsihhawkins@verizon.net
Website: http://jimhawkinsirishstory.com

Jim has been telling stories and singing songs for over 30 years. From his training at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts to the Stella Adler Studio, to his work with the Irish Arts Center in New York City and his ongoing concerts of traditional Irish music, ballads and storytelling with his partner Greg Ryan, Jim has honed his skills as a teller and singer.

Jim does a variety of programs, many of which come from his Irish background and culture:

Humorous Irish Stories and Songs
Many of the stories come from Jim's Irish background and the songs are from the rich Irish ballad tradition of the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem, the Dubliners and Christy Moore. During his performances, Jim teaches Irish history, culture and traditions related to the stories and songs and he encourages his audiences to discuss their own Irish connections.

A Traditional Irish Christmas
A performance of stories, songs/hymns, poetry and customs related to an Irish Christmas. Along with the telling, singing and reciting, Jim explains the customs of Advent, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, St. Stephen’s Day (December 26th) and Little Christmas (January 6th).

Stories By A Turf Fire
A tandem performance with storyteller Kate Danaher of the life and stories of one of Ireland’s greatest storytellers, Eamon Kelly. Kate and Jim narrate the stages of Eamon’s life, including many of his stories of the real Kerry and its magical past, the heartbreak of immigration, the figure of the parish priest and the courting and the dancing.

The Irish People in Story, Song and Poetry
Interested in hearing the story of the Irish people in an exciting, creative and unusual presentation? The performances are done in three (3) parts, each running about 70 minutes. The parts can be performed separately or all three (3) over a specific time period.

Jim introduces the people and/or events with a story, song or poem, followed by a brief narration explaining the significance of the person or event.

The performances include the arrival of the first people’s in Ireland, the figures of St. Patrick, St. Bridget, Brian Boru and the defeat of the Vikings, Oliver Cromwell and the British occupation, the Rebellion of 1916, Eamon De Valera, James Joyce, Bernadette Devlin and Bloody Sunday, Bobby Sands and the Hunger strikers and the Good Friday Agreement.

A History of the Irish Storytelling Tradition
A discussion and performance of the variety of story types (religious, myth, legend) as they relate to the Irish storytelling tradition, their origins and development.

Driving Across American with Billy Zuckerman
A one-hour performance based on Jim’s trip across the United States in 1970 with his friend Billy. It is filled with humorous stories, songs from this time period and the joy of experiencing this wonderful country of ours.

Astoria
The story of Jim’s returning to Astoria, New York, at the age of ten, having spent his childhood in Ireland. In it he tells of the difficulties of adjusting to his new life, his battles with the kids in his neighborhood, the street games that were played, his eventual coming to love Astoria, his falling in love with the game of baseball and his hero Mickie Mantle, as well as his comic book heroes: Superman, Batman, Roy Rogers, Hop-Along Cassidy and the "greatest of them all," the Lone Ranger.

"Jim is man standing between two cultures and his immense storytelling talents serve as a bridge between the kalidiscope of Irish culture today and the rural Ireland of our forefathers." – Gerry Reagan, Wild Geese Heritage Foundation.

"No two persons could have been more authentic with their singing, telling and laughter. They brought Eamon Kelly’s stories to the festival…a welcome addition to the storytelling world." – Peg O’Sullivan, Director of the Connecticut Storytelling Festival.

"The energy and nourishment from Jim’s stories will sustain us for a long time as we continue on our storytelling journeys." – Barbara Aliprantis, American Center for Theater and Storytelling.

"Jim Hawkins’ ‘Astoria’ evokes an era of growing up in New York in the 1950s and 60s…Bringing to mind wonderful memories and images of street games, Mickie Mantle, the Lone Ranger and a joyful and caring community. Jim tells with great passion and sincerity." – Robin Bady, New York Storytelling Center.

Fees: Negotiable

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Gail Herman –

Storytelling Performances and Workshops

11 Russell Lane
Easthampton, MA 01027
Phone: 413-203-5247
Email: gail@gailherman.net

Gail has been performing and teaching storytelling for over 35 years.  Her degrees include one in education, one in speech & theater, and one in curriculum with an emphasis on talent development, creativity and the arts.  She is the author of Tales of Mischievous Martha; Storytelling: A Triad in the Arts; and Kinetic Kaleidoscope: Exploring Movement and Energy in Visual Arts; as well as many articles and stories in anthologies.

STORYTELLING PERFORMANCES:

Family Stories: Tales of Mischievous Martha (Herman, 2015)
 (Boarding School/Orphanage Stories)
 (Stories from 1910-1925 in NYC)

Folktales: Creatures of Our Minds’ Eye. “The Turtle and the Shell,” “The Freedom Bird,” (a story from Asia adapted from Bill Harley and David Holt about freedom of speech), “The Four Wise People” (a story from Africa and India about thinking ahead for consequences), “The Twin Cities” (a story from China about brinkmanship), “How Owls Got Their Feathers” and “Juan Bobo and Sisi” (stories from Puerto Rico).

Stories of Kindness and Concern: “The Talent Show”, “Angie the Different Ant”, “Sylvester and the Grumps or How to Dump the Grumps” (1986, 1996), “The Owl and the Squirrels,” “The Turtle and Spider.”

Tall Tales!  “The Bull” and “The Canoe” (Tall Tale Liars’ Festival, 1997 audio)
‘True’ stories from Garrett County in the mountains of Maryland where I directed the adult Tall Tales Liars’ Contest and the Students’ Tall Tale Festival for years and years at the Annual Autumn Glory Festival.

A Talk About Art and Folktales Around the World:  Gail discusses 12 Visual Images in order to show how stories are embodied in art and crafts worldwide.  The arts serve as mnemonics to recall stories in many cultures.

Stories for Special Times: Halloween, Ghosts, and the time for Leprechauns, Tricksters or other cultural topics you choose.

WORKSHOPS:
Hearing Between the Lines™:  Teachers participate in engaging students’ musical intelligence to create sound effects to augment the meanings of literature through storytelling or story reading sessions.

Audiences are guided to create tall tales about their pets and other local events.
Family Stories.  Adults, Teachers, or Families with Children are guided to create family stories after hearing Gail tell coal mining stories and stories from a Cynthia Rylant book.

This is a very easy, smooth brainstorming session where participants jot down ideas and volunteer to tell about the topics they brainstormed on paper.  Lots of chance for sharing, creativity, poetic phrases, and communal praise. Writing stories is an option AFTER the sharing.  “Amazing what I came up with”, writes one participant. “I never thought I’d have anything to tell.”

HOW TO TELL:  Participants are taught specific skills to use in story-sharing or storytelling performances: for example, skills in voice, gesture, focus, postures, beginnings and endings.  Writing stories is an alternative, AFTER the sharing.

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Sara Ingram

117 Kelsey Hill Road
Deep River, CT 06417
Phone: 860-526-2599
Email: ingramsj@yahoo.com

STORYTELLING, POETRY, CREATIVE WRITING

WALK ON THE WILD SIDE! Use your imagination to create a booklet based on visual prompts. This writing activity can be adapted to different grade levels, senior centers, and family gatherings. Any place where spontaneity, creativity and play are explored. No grades allowed! Only fun. Art supplies are provided. Grades 3 to adult workshops. Take a trip into your unknown…

PROFILES IN COURAGE: Madam Knight, Emily Dickinson, and Ernest Shackleton reveal themselves through the eyes of Ingram’s original poetry.

Sara attended Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference, The Frost Place and is a former editor of the Globe Pequot Press. She received grants for her work in choreography at the American School for the Deaf.

A certified teacher, Sara has been a gifted and talented teacher in Connecticut public schools for the past twenty-five years. She is a member of the Connecticut River Poets and is available for readings from her book, SOUNDS OF HOUSE AND WOODS. (Antrim House)

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Darlene Kascak

Phone: (860) 868-0518 ext 452
Email: darleneswtc@gmail.com

Darlene Kascak is the Education Director at The Institute for American Indian Studies and is an active member of The Schaghticoke Tribal Nation and The Schaghticoke Women’s Traditional Council. She is also working with the CSDE on implementing Connecticut’s Indigenous history in the curriculum

Darlene teaches from a Native American point of view, allowing children and adults to broaden their perspectives for a new understanding of the 12,000-year history of the Indigenous Peoples’ lives, both in the past and present. Her work brings awareness to the impact of stereotypes and myths on the perception of other cultures and the legacies of native contact with other groups.

Along with her role as an educator, she is also a Traditional Native American Storyteller, preserving oral traditions to pass down cultural knowledge and values. Her mission is to connect the stories passed down from generation to generation to recent archaeological discoveries, giving voice to these objects. Oral traditions can be used as a tool to validate or challenge academic knowledge and give shared authority to historically marginalized communities.

Hear history come alive from the oral traditions that have been passed down and preserved from one generation to the next. Come listen to the stories used to explain the great mysteries of life and teach life lessons about love, leadership, honor, and our connection to the earth.

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Andre Keitt

Email: corykit1@yahoo.com

Andre’s Adventures in Storytelling encompasses a series of options or adventures in storytelling that increases or deepens the learning experience.  The educator can choose from presentations that includes 2-3 stories on a given topic, songs, and games. The chosen (1) presentation lasts one hour.  The selections are:

  Habari Ghani – African stories, songs, games, costumes that kids model and afro-pop music
Frontiers -  American Folklore
Tropical Tales – Puerto Rican, West Indian stories and more
The Golden Pot -  Asian stories and ceremony re-creations
A New Beginning – Colonial period adventures with optional cooking demo
Harambee – African American heritage and stories
Definitely Dinosaurs – Dino Discovery today with real dinosaurs and stories
Pebbles on the Sacred Path – Native American stories, rituals, ceremonies

  Please chose one for your entire grade level performance
I will perform story programs, concerts, etc, in classrooms and auditoriums

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Rona Leventhal

PO Box 855
Northampton, MA 01061
413-586-0624
Email: rona@ronatales.com
Website: www.ronatales.com

*Over THIRTY YEARS of providing quality, engaging programs!
• Performer, Teaching Artist in Schools & Workshop Presenter for teachers, adults and applied storytelling of the work place
• Improvisational Theatre and Movement Specialist
• Certified Teacher
• Approved Artist and Teaching Artist: Massachusetts Cultural Council, New England Foundation for the Arts, BOCES (NY), United Arts (NC) and the CT Storytelling Center
• Passionate about providing a positive experience with language and learning
• Approved Professional Development Provider for the the Mass. Dept. of Elementary and Secondary Education
• Fifteen years as Adjunct Professor, "Storytelling in Education" and "Environmental Education" (Columbia, Lesley, U Mass)
• Environmental and Outdoor Educator
• Team Building Specialist
• Public Speaking and Performance Coach

With loads of multi-cultural tales tucked in her back pocket, her family and elementary school performances are participatory, engaging and lots of fun! She’ll have you tapping your feet, swaying in your seats, making funny noises, singing and laughing as she shares tales for the serious to the silly, from the mysterious to the monstrous!

Grades 4-12 will be treated to characters that come to life though more nuanced and sophisticated tales….without sacrificing some humor!

Applied Storytelling: Rona works with organizations, using her skills in improvisation, storytelling and team building to help employees and supervisors work better and accomplish more in a positive atmosphere.

Publications and Recordings:
CD: "Into the Dark: Stories From the Shadows (Creepy Stories for Adults and Fearless Teens)", Storytelling World Award.

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Steve Long

29 Lancaster Road
West Hartford, CT 06119
Email: sjlbenriya@earthlink.net

Language defines the world and different languages define the world differently. Steve, who has lived in Japan for over ten years, has combined English and Japanese. Using his well-received "champon" style, Steve hopes to pass on an appreciation of the Japanese language and how Japanese writers for families view the world.

Steve also does presentations on Japan for elementary schools.

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