Program/Description: Turning Trouble into Tales. Leah offers carefully crafted, original stories of her growing-up years designed to show both the commonness of our life experiences as well as her own unique challenges. Her stories are hilarious, hair-raising, and poignant pictures of living through, and learning from trouble.
Student favorites:
Grades 3 - 6 Driving to Disneyland. When Leah’s father gets a brand new car and decides to take the family on a vacation, Uncle Dallas promises that a trip to Disneyland will be so much fun, “You’ll think you died and went to Heaven!” Her family had no idea how close they would come to doing just that.
Family Secrets. When the District Superintendent pays a visit to Leah’s home for supper, her mother turns into a “white tornado,” and Leah innocently entertains their guest with stories her mother never imagined she would tell.
Everybody Loves Buster. Leah rescues a mutt from being “terminated” at the dog pound and Buster wraps his paws around her heart. This is a tender story about loving and eventually losing a beloved pet.
Christmas Fairies. On Christmas Eve, in 1957, Leah entertains fantasies of dancing fairies. Her sister hopes that Santa will come. Her minister-father tries to teach “The true meaning of Christmas.” Somehow, everyone wins, as they all learn about the power of giving and receiving.
A Special Day at Macy’s. Grandmother Hamilton plans a special day of shopping downtown, but the day is ruined when Leah gets sick at the worst possible moment.
Grades 7 - 12
Drug Store Education Rexall Drug Store contains forbidden enticements that Leah longs to know about: soda fountain treats, makeup, and adult greeting cards. When the worlds of church and home collide with those of the “outer world” she must struggle with her own moral code.
Cruelty and Compassion. In 9th grade, Leah excels at entertaining her friends with her “creative writing.” When her science teacher intercepts an especially clever note, she learns a lesson about the poisonous power of cruelty as well as the gift of compassion.
The Kiss. Leah wants to be a “good girl” but Bob’s kisses are a garden of delight. This is a story of trying to negotiate the white-water rapids of sexuality in a fundamentalist Christian society that distrusts both sexuality and sex education (personal accountability). Child Psychologist, Andi Fugate calls this story, “a celebration!” Storyteller Tina Divine calls it “the most moving storytelling experience of my life.”
Program Length: 40 min.
Audience: grades 4 – 12
Audience Size: 150 – 200 max.
Facility: Seated in a semi-circle, or auditorium for older students
Cost: 1 performance: $250
2 performances, 1 day $350
Full day $400
(1 performance and 3-4 workshops)
Program/Description Creating Personal Stories: From Storytelling to Story Text
This five-part writing series begins with oral storytelling, the vital and often neglected aspect of the creative process. We animate personal memories through speaking and listening, and then use writing as a tool for documenting and editing. Each day begins with a performance of a carefully crafted original story designed to prompt student memories. Students tell, write, and edit in writing groups. The final product can be an anthology or a performance. The residency involves:
Storytelling
Story mapping
Story writing
Story enhancement
Story publication
Program length: 35-45 minutes
Audience: Grades 4 – 12
Audience size: Maximum of 150 for performance, usually one grade level
Cost: Full days only, performance and 3-4 classroom workshops: $300
Five week residency with teacher in-service $1650
Technical Needs: Amplifier for microphone in auditorium. House lighting preferred.
Program/Description Storytelling Performance and Coaching: This series of workshops covers the basics for in-class storytelling and preparing for performance. Teachers and students will learn the following:
1) Learning to tell (not memorize) a folk tale in an hour
2) Finding great stories to tell
3) Bringing words to life
Program length: 45 – 60 minutes
Audience: Grades 3 - 6
Facility: Classroom settings with room to move. Newsprint and markers needed.
Cost: 2 workshops per day, minimum $ 250
4 – 5 workshops per day $ 400
Full series (3 sessions) plus teacher in-service Please ask for current rates.
Support: Bibliography and support materials will be provided.