ConnTell Directory M-Q
 Linda Marchisio
South Windsor, CT
Phone: (860) 944-7277
Email: Librarylinda10@gmail.com
Website: https://sites.google.com/site/marchisiostoryteller/home
“Linda's storytelling brings my imagination to life and takes me back to days of my childhood when stories were magical." – B. Johnson, Teacher
Linda is an animated performer who frequently uses song, dance, and audience participation. Her stories travel to far-off countries, into your playful imagination, and touch the spirit. She tells folktales, original stories, personal narratives, and PechaKucha (a form of oral storytelling supported by digital images).
“Beautiful job you did in telling your PechaKucha tonight. Such a beautiful story – almost a poem – you looked out at the audience and I could feel the story flowing through you." – Bill Derry, Consultant/Playsultant, previous Library Media Specialist.
Performances for adults or children include stories that remind us that liars usually get fooled, music and dance make the heart sing, and true life brings laughter and tears. She has performed at a variety of venues- schools, parks, libraries, theaters,
First place winner of Genealogy Story Slam, Cos Cob Library/CT Ancestry Society, 2020
PechaKucha Bridgeport & New Haven CT and Albany NY
Tellabration!™ 2020, Virtual performance
Near and Far Storytellers, Buttonwood
Stamford High School, English Language Learners program
In her workshops, Linda will lead you through the beginning steps to becoming a storyteller or help you discover how to add gesture and movement to your stories. She also offers workshops on storyteller selfcare, with movement warm-ups and imaginative play for storytellers. Recent Workshops include:
Recent Workshops include:
Best Practices to Move Your Storytelling into the School Curriculum workshop for NEST 2022
Using Storytelling in Libraries and Schools panelist, NEST 2020
Digital Storytelling with PechaKucha, CLA conference
Authentic Movement for Storytelling, Sharing the Fire conference, 2017
Digital Storytelling at Stamford High School speech class
Beginning Storytelling for high school students at Business Communication classes
“Your presentation was absolutely fabulous. It is obvious that you are a master of your craft and the stories truly came to life. Your knowledge of the reading standards and expertise in guiding the event truly made it a success on every level.” – Marybeth Murdock, Library Media Specialist, Coventry Elementary Schools
Along with storytelling, Linda was a teacher for 26 years in gifted education and library media. She is a Fund for Teachers grant recipient. For her fellowship she traveled to Scotland to explore how fashion and storytelling are connected in Scottish culture. Two of her original stories, “The Constitution Jive” and “The Garden Rainbow”, were published in Holiday Stories All Year Round. Her Master’s degree was “Movement Assisted Storytelling as a Vehicle to Motivate Reading.” She won the Connecticut Humanities Council 2003 Wilbur Cross Award for her role as a book discussion leader and champion of reading.
Linda believes “Stories can be guides through a life crisis, stepping stones to learning, and fanciful fun.” -Linda Marchisio
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 John Melmed
John Melmed has been telling stories since 1986. He is the winner of numerous speaking competitions particularly in the realm of humor and has entertained audiences at storytelling shows, religious institutions, senior facilities, colleges, schools and government and private agencies. His stories are all about true (and sometimes amazing) events in his life in South Africa and the United States. Stories range from hilarious situations he has found himself in to life-threatening ones, dramatic stories, childhood and college mishaps, medical mistakes and dramas (John's a doctor), unusual spiritual experiences, a brief affair with a member of the British Royal Family and more. His stories will often have you sitting on the edge of your seat and sometimes falling off your seat with laughter. John's fee is negotiable and sometimes free!
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 Lauren Mendoza
Phone: (203) 219-7697
Email: lmccmendoza@yahoo.com
Lauren McClelland Mendoza comes from a family with a deep love of storytelling and books. Folks who know her best will let you know that she began telling practically as soon as she could put together a sentence. Lauren has told in elementary and preschools as well as Tellabrations in across Connecticut and also in Westchester County, New York. Luckily, she has a regular outlet for her passion, telling to children at the Greenwich Library. Her most loyal, enthusiastic, and honest audiences are her 2 dogs and her husband!
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 Motoko
24 North East Street #4
Amherst, MA 01002
Phone: (413) 253-1664
Email: motoko@folktales.net
Website: http://www.folktales.net
Available for virtual performances and workshops
The recipient of the National Storytelling Network’s 2017 Circle of Excellence Award, Motoko has enchanted audiences of every age since 1993. Her repertoire includes Asian folktales, Rakugo and Zen tales, ghost stories, mime vignettes, as well as oral memoirs from her childhood in Osaka, Japan, and her life as an immigrant in the U.S. Her latest work includes “RADIANT: Stories from Fukushima,” an original one-woman multimedia performance on Japan’s 2011 nuclear power plant meltdown.
Motoko has appeared on PBS’ Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood, and toured Miyazaki, Japan, as part of CarnegieKids sponsored by Carnegie Hall. She has been featured in festivals and theaters across the U.S., most notably, the National Storytelling Festival, Timpanogos Storytelling Festival, Connecticut Storytelling Festival, JapanFest-Atlanta, and the Provincetown Playhouse at NYU.
As a teaching artist, Motoko has been awarded numerous grants for her residency programs on creative writing, Japanese culture, Ancient China, and origami geometry. Her story CDs have won a Parents’ Choice Silver Honor Award, a Storytelling World Award, and a National Parenting Publications Award (NAPPA). She is the author of A Year in Japan: Folktales, Songs and Art for the Classroom.
Audience: Kindergarten through adult
Fee: Upon request
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 Jennifer Munro
250 Old Toll Road
Madison, CT 06443
Phone: (203) 421-0625
Email: jennie.munro@comcast.net
Website: www.jennifermunrostoryteller.com
Recipient of the Barbara Reed Award from the Connecticut Storytelling Center and the National Storytelling Network’s Circle of Excellence Award, Jennifer Munro is a master storyteller whose funny, original stories will touch your heart, lift your spirits, and make you laugh.
Her repertoire not only includes personal stories but also fairy and folk tales, myths, and legends, and “braided” stories, which weave traditional material with personal experience.
Since covid, Jennifer has adapted to the online format by producing storytelling programs and workshops virtually. As a feature teller at the 2020 Timpanogos Festival, she conducted an online master class and created professional level video recordings of her stories, which were then accessed through the festival website.
In “real time” she has performed on national public radio, at libraries, schools, coffee houses, conferences, and major festivals, most notably the national festival in Jonesborough, Tennessee, Timpanogos, Utah, and the Storytellers of Canada Conference.
An important addition to her repertoire, is her one-woman show of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, which she brings to life in her dramatic and thoroughly English interpretation of this classic. Following a performance, Paul Hodes said, “For the first time, I really got the richness of the language, the subtle quality of the humor, and the depth that comes from my own imagination, inspired by her brilliant performance. A most memorable evening!”
Her CDs, Relatives and their Body Parts and Beginnings are both Storytelling World Winners, as is her collection of short stories, Aunty Lily and other Delightfully Perverse Stories, published in 2016 by Parkhurst Brothers. Released in 2019, her latest CD, Stories at the Intersection of Myth and Reality is also a Storytelling World Winner.
Storytelling Reviews:
"Jennifer is an exquisite storyteller. She has a rock-solid sense of story and a great command of the language. She takes her work very seriously - you can see and hear that in the care in her presentation. She has great breadth in her work - understanding the importance and essential nature of myth and folklore and a keen eye for what her own experiences have to say to others.” – Bill Harley
“Elegant, insightful, and wickedly funny, Jennifer leads us to love the characters in her stories not just in spite of, but because of their foibles and peculiarities. With language as brilliant and precise as a laser-cut diamond, Jennifer reminds us how wonderfully odd and oddly wonderful it is to be human!” – Dolores Hydock
“Everything [Jennifer] does is done with integrity, a great sensibility for the subject matter and the audience’s experiences of those matters and is laced with sometimes subtle (her delivery of which I envy), and sometimes overt, but always, perfect humor.” – Bil Lepp
Book Reviews for Aunty Lily and Other Delightfully Perverse Stories:
“These beautifully crafted stories manage to be at the same time literary and fluid and oral. How brilliant the little darts and jabs of phrase, the children's wild glee, the family portraits of (as she puts it) “rogues, gossipers, and raconteurs”! . . . No stories better demonstrate the intimate relationship between humor and deep feeling. These are masterpieces.” – Jo Radnor, storyteller, folklorist, scholar.
Video sample: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEae_UrX4rc&feature=youtu.be
Fees: Negotiable
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 Mystic Paper Beasts Theater Company
Co directed by Dan Potter and Marya Ursin
Contact: Marya Ursin: (860) 535-3346; Marya cell: (860) 444-7247,
or better email: mybeasts@aol.com
Website: www.dragonseggstudio.org
Masked performance theatre for all ages.
The tales told by the Mystic Paper Beasts Theatre Company are original or traditional folk stories, expressed through humor and movement, in witty and whimsical handmade masks. The primary performers are Dan and Marya, both of whom are artists, writers, dancers.
These performances have delighted audiences of all ages and many nationalities, from Scotland to California, but primarily in the North East of the US, in sites such as museums, libraries, schools, festivals.
SkyTails is a series of Native American stories having to do with the sky, with beginnings, with flourishings, and is offered as a solo with Marya. This play is aimed for K-4 audiences, or family audiences.
Marya has written a storybook, illustrated by her and by Dan, based on this performance. (She has a second book of stories of yoga asana also available, and a third book in process.)
Other plays are available on request.
Performances, workshops, and “rovings” (interactive improvisation for festivals, etc.) are available year round.
Fees available upon request
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 Maritza Nieves
Phone:(860) 514-0038
Email: dialoni@ymail.com
Maritza Nieves was born and raised in Puerto Rico. Prior to coming to Connecticut, she worked for Head Start directing the parenting services area under the ACUDEN central office.
She has over 30 years of experience working with children, families, and different communities where she has provided direct services. She also works as Payasita Dialoni/Shaloni in private events, community events, hospitals, and school activities bringing joy during fun educational activities. Maritza does artistic face-painting and balloon figures. She is a singer, musician, poetess and songwriter.
During the past 14 years, she has worked with early child education at Even Start programs in New London, CT and is an active member of Connecticut Storytellers. She is bilingual and CPR certified.
Maritza Nieves nació y se crió en Puerto Rico donde trabajó para Head Start dirigiendo el área de servicios para padres en la oficina central de ACUDEN.
Tiene más de 30 años de experiencia trabajando con niños, familias y diferentes comunidades donde ha brindado servicios directos. También se desempeña como Payasita Dialoni/Shaloni en eventos privados, eventos comunitarios, hospitales y actividades escolares brindando alegría y diversión durante actividades educativas. También pinta caras artísticamente y hace figuras de globos. Maritza es cantante, músico y compositora de poemas y canciones.
Durante los últimos 14 años, ha trabajado con la educación infantil temprana en los programas Even Start en New London, CT y es un miembro activo de Connecticut Storytellers. Es bilingüe y está certificada en RCP.
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 Jane Ohuimumwen-Ohenhen
Phone: 860-990-9565
Email: ogiesota@gmail.com
Jane Ohuimumwen-Ohenhen, a native of Benin City, Nigeria, has been immersed in her cultural heritage since her youth. Full of tales of empowered women from a time before her own, Jane draws profound inspiration from these narratives to craft compelling stories centered around the remarkable lives of African women who walked the earth centuries before us.
Armed with a Bachelor's degree in Economics from the University of Port Harcourt in Nigeria, Jane migrated to the United States in 1991. There, she pursued and successfully earned a Masters degree in Psychology. For over two decades, Jane dedicated her professional life to serving her community through a non-profit organization, committed to eradicating homelessness. Her focus involved empowering women, families, and other members of the community by providing not just homes for her client base, but also comprehensive supportive services.
Driven by a passion to further engage with her community, Jane harnessed the tales ingrained in her from childhood. She sought to impart the same sense of empowerment she had experienced to her audience. Through her storytelling, Jane encapsulates the diverse spectrum of womanhood, exploring themes ranging from women's suffrage to leadership, all underscored by resilience in the face of adversity.
In Jane's narratives, West African women emerge as the focal point, spanning from the region's early history to the 20th century. From the compelling account of Emotan, a visionary suffrage leader from Benin who reshaped societal perceptions of women in her time, to the awe-inspiring tale of Queen Ida, the first Nigerian woman to rise as a General in wartime, utilizing her intellect to secure victory for her nation, Jane skillfully illuminates the power, fortitude, and valor of West African women throughout the annals of history.
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 Denise Page
Email: info@ubuntustorytellers.com
Website: UbuntuStorytellers.com
Denise Manning Keyes Page was born to tell stories. Stories that open our hearts, our minds and our world view. Though new to the profession of storytelling, she is already a sought after featured teller. She has performed for Tellabration! New Haven, International Festival of Arts and Idea, Clinton Arts Council, Tell Me Another, New Haven Storytellers, Songs and Stories, the National Storytelling Center, Mercy by the Sea Retreat Center and more.
Denise entertains, educates, challenges and inspires you. Above all, Denise believes that sharing and listening to the life stories of others has the capacity to normalize the inevitable challenges of life and deepen understanding of self and others.
A Connecticut native, many of her stories stem from her experience of being a multi -generational African American New Englander. Her personal narrative spans the arc between victim and sainthood and tells stories of “simply being as well as being in the skin we’re in.”
She believes as she paraphrases here . . . "In order to serve the people, you have to respect the people; in order to respect the people, you have to know the people; in order to know the people, you have to be open to the discomfort of learning their stories,” and, she adds, “as well as your own.”
Ms. Page is the founder of Ubuntu Storytellers. Ubuntu Storytellers (U.S.) is a training company that focuses on building bridges across the racial divide by beginning with story. The team is comprised of professional storytellers of the African Diaspora and multi racial facilitators.
What others say about Denise’s storytelling:
“I could listen to (her) all day. She draws you in and takes you places you’ve never been. I mean not just geography but soul. A rewarding and provocative story listening experience.” – Foxwoods International
“Love your tonality and I can feel your heart. Amazing voice quality.” – Pat Lore
“You are able to emotionally engage me with the delivery and storytelling. Truly, Amazing job!” – Aditya Guthey
“You caught and held my attention the whole time. I wanted to cry with you when you received that postcard but celebrated with you when you described your achievements so well.” – Jen Acuna
“Your stories changed me – in ways I didn’t know I could or needed to be. Thank you.” – Charles Martin, Ph.D.
“You are the gift you are bringing.” – Dr. Dorothy Martin Neville
“Beautiful storytelling - emotional, real, loving. your personality and humor really shine. What a beautiful and DESCRIPTIVE story, Denise. I was THERE. When you brought the conflict, I FELT the pain. When you described the beautiful scenes, I was there, too.” – Brandon Eastman
“Denise powerful story - I felt your pain and I was with you all the way - you gave me goosebumps. WOW! You are a story teller with class- loved every word.” – Anne Garland
What Others Say About our Story Grounded Workshops:
“The performance and workshops we sponsored, given by the Ubuntu Storytellers was a grand success! The performance was up on our YouTube channel for a couple of weeks and received 400 views. The follow-up workshops were attended by 25 people. All of the evaluations were positive and 100% of those who filled out the evaluation said that they would like to attend an Ubuntu Storytellers event in the future.” – Ann Shapiro Executive Director, Connecticut Storytelling Center
“That was AMAZING. Thank you for sharing your moving, well crafted and beautiful told stories that made me feel and see” – Nina
“Hearing stories of unintentional exclusion that struck me. . . It made me stop to think how often that sort of thing may have happened and I was unaware.The co-leaders were so present, so skilled at helping the participants develop trust and empathy. They created the setting and provided role models for participants to explore their own vulnerability . . .” – Carol Mon
“The combination of empathetic listening followed by guided self discovery worked very well for me. While coming into my awareness, I witnessed others doing the same thing with each story being unique, which offered great examples.” – Jolyn Washington Walker
“I suggest sharing info about the Ubuntu Storytellers and workshops with libraries, congregations, anti-racist training groups/organizations, and diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in companies and organizations as well as educational institutions. These stories could be helpful in middle and high schools as well as colleges and universities. They are very powerful, and the facilitators did an excellent job of organizing the workshops and coordinating and elicitin discussion with a nice mix of small and larger group interactions. Kudos to all for a very worthwhile and lasting experience.… the stories expressed emotions connected with the personal experience of racist attitudes and behavior in a way that I found very accessible.” – Jessica
“As a result of this experience ...I think I'm more able and willing to talk about issues of race and culture … ”
– Eileen
Media Links:
https://www.theday.com/article/20201201/ENT10/201209964
https://cthumanities.org/stories-build-bridges-with-the-ubuntu-storytellers
Price: Contact us for pricing regarding your programming needs:
Email: info@ubuntustorytellers.com
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 Meris Palmer "Teller of Tales"
Phone: (203) 695-1304
Email: merispal@gmail.com
Meris presents stories of the past and present to fire the imagination of audiences of all ages!
Meris offers folk tales, traditional tales, ethnic tales, and stories from literary tradition to children, adults, families and seniors. Her lively and passionate telling to audiences of all ages offers a wonderful and unique experience. She engages even the youngest listeners in her stories by using props, puppets, costumes and character voices.
A certified teacher, Meris has held successful literacy workshops in schools, childcare centers, as well as a wide variety of other venues.
Meris is available for in school residencies and is also excited to announce she is offering virtual storytelling for remote audiences. In addition she offers intergenerational programs.
Drawing upon her experience as a certified therapeutic recreation director, Meris has worked extensively with the elderly. For those with Alzheimers, Storytelling happens in the here and now, there is nothing to remember or forget. In addition Meris is a trained facilitator for Book Voyagers (Connecticut Humanities Council).
"Meris Palmer...instead started using gestures and voices to tell the group a Native American folk tale...she finished to applause." – Julie Beglin, New York Times Sunday edition
"Your dramatization and active involvement of the youngsters were a delight to behold" – Warren J. Halliburton, director Hale House Center, New York, NY
"You put a picture in my mind. I loved your voices and your costume." – Kaitlin, 5th grade student
“Meris is lighthearted in her approach and uses all manner of props to bring stories to life” – Dee Menard, Bristol Press
Fees: upon request
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 Won-Ldy Paye
Collinsville, CT. 06019
Phone: 860-882-2046
Email: wonldy@wonldypaye.com
Website: www.youtube.com/@Won-LdyPaye
Website: www.wonldypaye.com
Performances:
Won-Ldy Paye is an Award-Winning Children's Book Author, Artist and Performer known for his delightful and engaging performances. With extensive national and international experiences, Won-Ldy is a master at his craft. His presentation will educate and entertain as he takes you on a journey to West Africa and beyond.
The folktales Won-Ldy tells are rooted in the themes of Respect and Community: life-lessons he learned from his grandmother-a great storyteller. You don’t have to visit a museum to experience African art and culture. This presentation brings authentic musical instruments, and customs directly to you. With funny stories, scintillating drumming and masked dances, Won-Ldy’s performances overflow with energy and charm.
Won-Ldy Paye grew up on a rice farm in tropical Liberia. In this part of Africa, oral language and folktales form the basis of children’s education. This rich oral tradition is the perfect means to connect with children in grades – K to 5. Everyone has a story and it's never too late to hear a story. Won-Ldy’s presentation is comprised of personal narratives built around his life experiences. He believes where there are people, animals, places and things, there are many stories to tell. And Won-Ldy’s got stories to tell!
Performance Booking Details:
Length of performance: 60 minutes - (duration can also be adjusted).
Target Audiences for performances: K – 5th grade, school assemblies, library programs, and people of all ages.
Fees per performance start at $500.00
School Residencies
Won-Ldy’s School residency is popular with grades K-5. It gives students and teachers an opportunity to establish a link between another culture and their own through art, music, storytelling. Residencies can focus on building students’ skills in oral storytelling, drawing as the foundation for writing stories, and creating music as a means to work together. By breaking down the complex disciplines of music, art and storytelling to their most simple building blocks, Won-Ldy allows students to become creators themselves. Based on the length of the residency, there is a final day when students are encouraged to demonstrate and highlight the new skills learned during the residency.
Please contact Won-Ldy Paye about his school residency.
Career highlights and accomplishments:
Won-Ldy Paye is a co-Author of 4 Award Winning Children’s Picture Books:
• The Talking Vegetables. Henry Holt and Company,
• Mrs. Chicken & The Hungry Crocodile. Henry Holt and Company,
• Head, Body, Legs. (Available in Korean & Japanese). Henry Holt and Company.
• Why Leopard Has Spots: Dan stories from Liberia. Fulcrum Publishing
Won-Ldy’ stories are also published in reputable textbooks such as:
• Reading Mastery Signature Edition Program. SRA/McGraw-Hill,
• Ten Traditional Tellers. By Margaret Read MacDonald. University of Illinois Press.
• Reading Mastery Plus. SRA/McGraw-Hill,
• Art From Africa-Long Steps Never Broke a Back. By Pamela McClusky. Princeton University Press,
• Teacher's Read Aloud Anthology (Vol. I & II). Margaret H. Lippert, Anthologist. MacMillan/McGraw-Hill,
Won-Ldy Paye has captivated audiences of all ages throughout United States:
• Featured “New Voice” Performer at the National Storytelling Festival, and as a
• 3 times Teller-in-Residence, National Storytelling Festival. Jonesborough, TN
• Featured Performance. American Library Association Annual Conference. Washington D.C.
• Highlight Performer. Seattle Library System, Washington State.
• KALETA: A West African Children’s Festival in Seattle, Philadelphia, and at The Kennedy Center-Imagination Celebration, Washington DC.
Won-Ldy Paye has also worked in hundreds of schools for States Arts Commissions in Washington, Alaska, Montana and Connecticut.
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 Monica Peterson
Email: Monicapeterson12345@gmail.com
Website: www.monicajpeterson.com
Dressed in costume and featuring photos and artifacts that complement her stories, Monica Peterson weaves fascinating historical tales. Monica Peterson has entertained at the JFK Presidential Library, New Britain Museum of American Art, and at festivals, museums, libraries, schools, and senior centers throughout the area. Travel back in time with these programs:
TALES OF NEW ENGLAND – true stories of bravery, foolishness, love, and a touch of the supernatural
• New Haven colonists are haunted by a ghost ship
• A young mother attempts to save children from the British during the Revolution
• A Connecticut town’s hysterical battle against a bunch of bullfrogs during the French and Indian War
OUR FOUNDING MOTHERS - accounts of local women whose determination helped establish this country
• The female “Paul Revere”
• Ten Traditional Tellers. By Margaret Read MacDonald. University of Illinois Press.
• Two teenage sisters foil a British invasion
AN EVENING WITH MY GRANDPARENTS – Italian-American family lore, interspersed with great historical events
• The romantic tale of how Monica’s great grandparents met in their native Italy (circa 1890), fell in love, lost a fortune, and immigrated to the United States
• The thrilling story of her grandfather’s brother Tony and his fight against Fascism in 1920’s/30’s Italy
FOREVER IRELAND - The history, humor, and magic of the Irish people comes to life in this fascinating program
• The true story of an Irish pirate queen
• An Irish-American’s gift of blarney helps him survive World War 2
Testimonial from Rachel Taylor, Scranton Memorial Library:
We hosted Monica and she was fantastic! The audience loved her and we were so pleased. Here is just a sampling of the patron comments
I received last night about the event:
"That was by far one of the best programs you've hosted."
"She is an incredible storyteller! Thank you so much for hosting her at your library."
We'd love to have her back on some point. She is superb, funny, animated, and touching. I would definitely recommend her to any programming librarian.
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 Arnie Pritchard
19 Colony Road
New Haven CT 06511
Phone: 203-624-2520 (home)
Email: Apritchard01@snet.net
A few years ago Arnie inherited his late father’s Army foot locker from World War II. It contained hundreds of letters and other papers from his father’s three and half years as a soldier, and his two years with the United Nations refugee program in post-war Europe.
From a selection of this material Arnie has created a story, “This Business of Fighting” focused on his father’s letters home from the European Theater in 1944-45. It puts a human face on one of the huge events of modern history, portraying a young man dealing with everything from raw fear to his role as a leader to his exposure to a world both wider and more brutal than he had known. The story can be accompanied by a slide show of photos closely connected to the events in the story.
Suitable for teens and up.
"A powerful story, an empathic point of view … did not deny or dramatize the human fear, neither did it preach a specific point of view. Its honest perspective helps me have a broader understanding of what a person who does military service goes through ... your story brings out that need in a loving and human way." – A listener from Fairfield
“We were stunned and moved. Those long-lost accounts were poignant, evocative, beautifully expressed…” – Randall Beach, New Haven Register
"Thanks a lot for sending me these fascinating selections from your father's letters. What a remarkable man he clearly was, in his down-to-earth way – sociable, and yet very introspective and curious, too... a gripping page-turner. In the browsing I'd done in soldiers' letters, I'd been struck by the conflict between a desire to send reassurance and the need to share often chaotic and frightening or disturbing experiences... your father's letters dramatize that conflict deeply" – Prof. Jill Campbell, Yale University
Arnie would also be interested in working with teachers to create classroom units in the use of original sources based on this material.
For more information see Arnie's blog/website:
http://thisbusinessoffighting.blogspot.com/p/first-timers-start-here.html
To hear a public radio interview with Arnie about his father's story, go to
https://www.wshu.org/post/memorial-day-remembrance#stream/0.
The interview includes two excerpts from the story, one beginning about thirteen minutes in and the other about sixteen minutes in."
Arnie also tells literary, personal and folk tales with an emphasis on Americana.
Fees upon request.
Working with the first few teachers on the creation of classroom units would be free.
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 Gwendolyn Quezaire-Presutti
Phone: 860-212-6129
Email: gwendolyn@woventales.com
Website: www.creativeground.org Gwendolyn is listed with CreativeGround for Funding.
Connecticut Programs start at $500.00 for daytime programs round trip 100 miles. More than 100 miles of mileage will be added.
Gwendolyn Quezaire-Presutti Actor, Dramatist, Historian, and Storyteller. She began Historical Performing and Educational Interpreting in 1997 at the University of Texas Institute of Texan Cultures. I joined the Tejas Storytelling Association.
Gwendolyn has 30 years of Professional Experience as a Living History Actor and a Storyteller.
Gwendolyn In Residence at the Institute of Texan Cultures in San Antonio TX. Developed programs, multicultural education, for adults and school children, giving multicultural education. From 1997 to 2001. Gwendolyn found love not to a Texan but to a New Englander and moved to Connecticut and Married John Presutti in 2021.
A week after her marriage she became Artist-in-Residence at the Connecticut Historical Society Museum, Hartford, Connecticut. Gwendolyn Performed, sharing New England's past with her audience. Subjects: New England enslavement – Middle Passage – Amistad Uprising of 1839 from 2001 to 2012. Part of this period she was an interpretation guide at The Webb-Deane-Stevens Museum, Wethersfield Connecticut; Workshops, and playwright from 2003 to 2006.
The Prudence Crandall Museum, Canterbury CT. “: Performing Social Issue Theater. “Tea with Prudence Crandal and Sarah Harris Fairweather from 2003 to 2012
Gwendolyn Quezaire-Presutti www.creativeground.org Gwendolyn is listed with CreativeGround for Funding.
Collaboration: Hudson River Museum/Saralinda B Lichtblau & Professor and Historian Richard J. Friswell of Wesleyan University
(Reflections of the Civil War: Motifs in Hudson River Landscapes.
New Hampshire Humanities to GO! Fifteen years.
Strawbery Banke Museum www.strawberybanke.org (2017 to 2022)
Strawbery Banke Award American Lives: A Timeline Living History- Most Authentic Feeling of “2019” “Story of Ona Judge” Washington’s enslaved woman.
American Independence Museum www.independencemuseum.org (2023) “Ona Judge” (she is buried in Greenland NH.)
Received: Théâtre in Museums Interpretation Techniques Certification at the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis,
An award-winning artist, in recognition of the quality and range of her work, received.
- Alliance Award for valuable service and support Institute of Texan Cultures of San Antonio, TX
- Institute of Texan Cultures Director’s Award for Excellence
- Recipient of ESA Connecticut Portraying Sarah Harris at State Museum/Prudence Crandall.
- Certificate of Merit from the Office of Secretary of State Connecticut, Denise W. Merrill for performances at the Prudence Crandal Museum.
- Greater Hartford Arts Council & Boston Fund Individual Artist Fellowship
- 1st place International Toastmaster Award, (Interpretive Reading Area 1-70)(San Antonio TX.
Description of Presentations:
Living History programs introduce untapped accessible history that celebrates the rich diversity, ambitions, courage, determination, and inspiring heroism by women of color, in the face of racism and violence. The presentations give a powerful, intimate, detailed portrait of the women in the Program. The recorded accounts capture complex, brilliant, and intelligent women, true American heroes. The programs highlight contact and conflicts, making it more socially relevant and realistic.
“I Can’t Die But Once” an American Hero, Harriet Tubman
Harriet Tubman a woman of unique qualities and abilities. Even though she was illiterate, had an unblemished record of vigilance, legacy of sacrifice, and struggle. Harriet Tubman weaves a tale of truth, pain; courage, and determination that takes the audience into her life -enslaved - eventually escaping and the United States Government asking for her unique talent - evading capture behind enemy lines. They enlisted her as a scout and spy for the Union cause and she battled courageously behind enemy lines during the Civil War. The elementary school version may be more palatable, but the real Tubman is far more inspiring.
“If I Am Not for Myself Who Will Be for Me” Ona Judge. When one thinks of our founding fathers- enslavement does not come into their consciousness. There are people unaware that some of our founding fathers were themselves Slave owners. Oney’s owners, George, and Martha Washington, she was merely “the girl.” She was a criminal until her death because of one decision, the decision that changed her life and American history. Oney Judge was an assertive individual who dared to claim her freedom, even if it meant defying the President of the United States. There is always an underside - hidden from sight the more unpleasant or reprehensible side that needs to surface to give an integral portrait of a historical event or person. Oney’s story is one such story. Her voice supplies informative accounts to appreciate her struggles, self-determination, and triumphs throughout her life. Her account was not a stereotypical runaway account.
“Looking Things Over,” Zora Neale Hurston a Storytellers Life. Zora Neale Hurston is considered one of the pre-eminent writers of twentieth-century African American literature, an American novelist, short story writer, folklorist, and anthropologist. After going to Florida in 1927 to collect folklore, and after years of organizing her notes published Mules and Men in 1935. Zora, not only did she love writing the folklore she enjoyed telling them. Zora celebrated the African American culture of the rural South because she believed that Black people had wonderful stories that the world needed to hear, and she told them proudly.
“I Promoted Myself” Madam CJ Walker First Black Female American Millionaire.
More than 200 women gathered at Philadelphia’s Union Baptist Church to hear Walker’s message about entrepreneurship, civic responsibility, and political activism. At one of the first conventions of American businesswomen, the delegates shared stories of how their work as Walker agents had transformed and enriched their lives. Madame is at the podium getting ready to address her beauty culturist.
Since tutelage under Attorney and Professor Lloyd Barbee University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Gwendolyn has been a committed scholar of American Studies, in particular Women of Color. Embracing her passion, Gwendolyn began Historical Performing in 1997 at the University of Texas Institute of Texan Cultures as an Educational Interpreter. Gwendolyn is dedicated to studying the character, philosophy, courage, and grace that have helped Black women survive and flourish. Her programs introduce an array of untapped accessible history that celebrates the rich diversity, ambitions, and heroism of Black Women in the face of racism and violence.
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