Stories & Workshops for Children
Full Moon Ghost Stories - My most popular program, featuring spine tingling tales as well as hauntingly funny ones. Perfect for parties and campfires. Appropriate for ages 5+
Peace Tales - My favorite. This program explores themes of conflict resolution and friendship through the retelling of folk tales from a variety of cultures. Students embark on a 'journey' around the world. Every story incorporates ideas and suggestions from the audience.
Puppets With Tales - A hodgepodge of some of my favorite folktales told with the help of my handcrafted puppets.
Note: This program is ideal for younger audiences who may require a bit more visual stimuli.
Dragons, Unicorns and Princesses,
Oh My! - Featuring folk and fairy tales from a variety of cultures this program also incorporates a few new puppets.
Anansi Stories - Anansi is perhaps the best-known and best-loved of all the great tricksters in folklore. He may be small but he is clever. Hear my favorite Anansi stories from Africa and the Caribbean and meet my Anansi puppet.
Look at the Sky! - Is that a man in the Moon? Why is light during the day and dark at night? We’ll contrast day and night using multicultural tales and puppets.
Native American Folktales - Storytelling has always been integral to the Native American culture. Their stories are rich with imagery and clever explanations of the mysteries of the world: Why Bear's tail is so short and how Turtle got cracks in his shell. Traditionally these stories are told after the first frost, during the colder months of the year – therefore, this program is only available seasonally.
Snowy Stories - This program of wintery tales includes a Kwanzaa and Hannukah story too and an adaptation of a classic: The Mitten.
Trickster Tales - Cultures everywhere have a trickster among them. Sometimes he's known as Anansi, the spider, sometimes as Leprechaun or Coyote. We can all learn a lesson or two from these tales about how to treat each other and how to overcome obstacles.
Irish Yarns - Top O' the Morning to ya! These tales from the Emerald Isle feature Leprechaun and many other enjoyable characters. An obvious choice for St. Patrick's Day!
Workshops
Contact me to hear more about these workshops and my workshop rates.
Storytelling How-To: It’s Easier Than You Think! (all ages)
The Mystery of Color
This hands-on program for ‘tweens’ and teens explores the mystery every artist strives to solve – the mystery of color. Using oil pastels we will create individual color wheels and participants will even create their own unique color and name it! We‘ll discuss the meaning and symbolism associated with different colors, become familiar with a versatile medium and start on a fun, mysterious project the artists can finish on their own - using just a toothpick! (Easy clean up and set up and I supply everything!).
Ages 8 and up – 20 participants max.
Finger Prints – Made by Hand
Every finger print is unique and every artist’s work is unique - so it’s a natural pairing. Finger printing has been used for over a century to help solve crimes around the world and is one of the oldest types of forensic evidence. We’ll explore the different types of finger prints and examine our own. Then we’ll use finger prints, colorful ink pads and markers to create funny pictures. A simple print can become an animal, your fave food, a tiny detective... Everyone will enjoy this creative use of a simple process.
Ages 5 and 10 – 20 participants max.
Puppet Pets
This hands-on program can be simplified for younger audiences or expanded for tweens and teens. After viewing different types of animal puppets from around the world, each participant will create their own creative animal puppet using simple supplies (easy clean up and set up!). Ages 5 and up – 35 participants max.
Dare to make... a dreamy, dragon, shadow puppet
Together we will learn about the Wayang Kulit or shadow puppets of Indonesia. Each child will create a dragon shadow puppet. Our puppet creations will dance to music from all over Indonesia. I will provide a shadow puppet stage set-up where we can ‘perform’ with our puppets when they are completed.
Stories & Workshops for Grown Ups
Deconstructing Barbie - This critically acclaimed one-woman show features the
true-life stories of storyteller Alison K. Babusci. The humorous stories follow Alison's transition from girl to woman. Forbidden by her feminist mom to have a Barbie, Alison is fascinated by the way this 14” plastic icon has influenced and shaped girls' self image for decades. Barbie kitsch and Barbie facts are woven throughout the piece adding to the humor and universality of the stories. Audiences of all ages are amused and touched by Alison's
energetic and comedic storytelling skills.
Tales of Love - This program combines famous love letters with traditional tales of love
and loyalty. Although acceptable for younger audiences it may quickly be
dismissed as 'mushy' by anyone under 25. Ideal for anniversary parties.
Mother Daughter Stories & Workshop - We begin with a program of folk tales, fairy tales and personal stories meant to empower and entertain women of all ages. After listening to
stories featuring clever and strong mothers, daughters and goddesses — participants explore their own family traditions and stories and share these stories with one another in a fun, supportive environment. This workshop also features games and exercises to enhance everyone's storytelling and listening skills. Every time I offer this I am amazed and touched by the response of the participants and myself — girls rule!
Workshops
Contact me to hear more about these workshops and my workshop rates.
Storytelling How-To: It’s Easier Than You Think! (all ages)
Make Puppets!: Techniques for Creating Amazing Puppets
Storytelling in Your Classroom: A Workshop for Teachers
Different But The Same : Exploring Multiculturalism Through Stories
Art Everyday: Using Art in the Early Childhood Classroom
Connecting Art & Literacy in Your Classroom
