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Jul 31
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Coming Soon The 31st Annual St. Louis Storytelling Festival will be held April 28–May 1, 2010.The St. Louis Storytelling Festival is an event held in early May that has been offered for 30 years to people of all ages in the St. Louis Metropolitan area. Each year, more than 40 regional and 7 featured storytellers and their audiences gather during this four-day event for the telling of tales.
Bil Lepp Bil Lepp is a nationally renowned storyteller and five time champion of the West Virginia Liars’ Contest. His outrageous, humorous tall-tales and witty stories have earned the appreciation of listeners of all ages and from all walks of life. From elementary school to veterans' homes, from churches to colleges, from festivals to formal dinners. Though a champion liar, his hilarious, insightful stories often contain morsels of truth which shed light on subjects such as politics, religion, death, relationships, and human nature. An award winning storyteller, author, and recording artist, Lepp's CDs "King of Little Things" and "The Teacher in the Patriotic Bathing Suit," have both received the Parent's Choice Approved awards, and "Mayhem Dressed as an Eight Point Buck" won a 2008 NAPPA Honors award.
Gene Tagaban Gene Tagaban, noted Tlingit storyteller and actor, shares his wisdom and talent via dance, native flute and storytelling. He is an accomplished and gifted storyteller, actor, dancer, musician, trainer and speaker. His heritage is Cherokee, Tlingit and Filipino. Raised in Alaska, Gene's Native American name Gaay Yaaw loosely translates as "Salmon Home Coming." He is of the Tak`deintaan Raven Freshwater Sockeye clan of Hoonah, Alaska, and the Child of a Wooshkeetaan Eagle Thunderbird clan of Juneau, Alaska. Gene has fifteen years experience as a trainer, counselor, motivator and speaker. Gene has uniquely integrated his interpersonal skills, Native American heritage and performance artistry with traditional training and counseling techniques to develop inspirational and results-oriented performances; presentations and personal growth work with youth, adolescents and adults.
Leeny Del Seamonds Leeny Del Seamonds, Master Story Performer™, is a multi award-winning, internationally acclaimed master performer of Hispanic/Latino, original and World stories spiced with exquisite mime, a cornucopia of characters, and love of people. With a twinkle in her eye and fire in her heart, Leeny breathes life into her stories, as she masterfully and effortlessly springs from one story character to another. A dedicated Teaching Artist, Leeny encourages listeners to feel positive about themselves and to rejoice in human and cultural diversity, inviting them to share in her Latin/Cuban-American sense of humor and love of performing.
Peter Cook Peter S. Cook is an internationally reputed Deaf performing artist whose works incorporates American Sign Language, pantomime, storytelling, acting, and movement.Peter 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 teaches at Columbia College where he received the 1997 Excellence in Teaching award. In 1998, Peter set up a video production called PC Production and now based in Chicago.
Regi Carpenter Through words that flow like a grand river and images that take you to the heights of fancy, award-winning storyteller Regi Carpenter captures your imagination with a whisper, a roar, or a song. With a "voice that dances," Regi has the astonishing ability to whisk you away to the place where dreams are born.Growing up on the St. Lawrence River in New York significantly impacted young Regi's life. Life on the river was anything but ordinary. Underwater tea parties in the summer and strolls across the water's icy dress in the winter give a child a unique perspective on life. Like the St. Lawrence River, there is more to Regi than meets the eye. Underneath churns an incredible force of energy that makes Regi one of the nation's leading storytellers. Swift and powerful or calm and gentle, Regi's storytelling is always a surprising adventure.
Loretta Washington  Loretta has 15 years of experience as a professional storyteller, multipurpose workshop presenter and author/writer.  She has performed for schools, libraries, festivals, fairs, conferences and other organizations.  Loretta has created and presented 750+ storytelling, puppetry and motivational workshops and presentations for schools, libraries, city and state parks and private organizations.  From her travels abroad, she incorporated some of the mannerisms of the people into her stories, thus bringing them to life in such a way that you feel like you are there.  Her goal is to plant a seed that will inspire others to work towards achieving some of their goals and dreams. At the end of the day she wants to feel like she has brought joy into the lives of those she touched.
Larry Brown Over the years Larry has entertained thousands of people with his original fantasy and real life stories and songs of justice , courage, and compassion. In Larry's stories, the traditional themes are given modern meaning. He brings experience in public education, activism, and as a pastor to his performances, allowing groups to experience the oral tradition with humor, wit, inspiration and thoughtful challenges in stories and songs from the Midwest and around the world. Larry is a member of the National Storytelling Network (NSN), River and Prairie Storyweavers (RAPS), Mid-Missouri Organization of Storytelling (MOST), and president of the the Storytelling in Higher Education (SHE) Special Interest Group of NSN.
Regional Storytellers PDF Print E-mail

See below for a list and descriptions of each of our regional storytellers.

  • KENYA AJANAKU tells stories which trace the early folklore of Africans who, when brought to America to build and work the fields, shared stories as an evening past time. The stories also trace moral and ethical behavior of human beings in Africa, Europe, and America.  Stories pass from teller to listener and the story changes to suit the occasion or situation.  The Native Americans and Africans had a close relationship with drums and stories.  Featured teller 2000.
  • MIKE ANDERSON is one of the most versatile folk entertainers in the Midwest, and is well-known to all central Illinois traditional music fans.  Mike was the host of a national award-winning children's TV show, created and ran the New Salem Storytelling Festival and the Clayville Music and Storytelling Festival, and has been recognized as an outstanding educator in Illinois as a 3rd grade teacher.  Featured storyteller at the 1991 Festival and 2005 Festival
  • DIANN JOY BANK is recognized as a master storyteller/educator who loves telling multicultural folktales and tales of her Jewish heritage.  Her high energy performances come from her recipe of rhythm, song, movements, and, most importantly, her audience's participation in her stories.  Diann nurtures your soul with her stories, and believes that everyone can be a storyteller.   Featured storyteller at the 1995 Festival
  • MARY LU BRETSCH is a former school librarian from Illinois whose quiet presence evolves into the treat of her energetic and enthusiastic performances.  She tells stories at schools and community events in the metro area.  Mary Lu particularly likes to tell fairy tales, literary tales, and multi-cultural stories.  She has been telling stories for over 25 years and is now beginning to encounter children whose parents she also told to.  Mary Lu says this probably makes her a "wise old storyteller"! 
  • JEANNE B. CREWS is a retired school teacher who taught 42 years.  She now tells stories through her volunteer work in area schools to kindergarten through sixth graders on a regular basis. She has also told at many area school activities and family functions, and has told stories at the Botanical Garden and the county parks.  She was a regional teller in St. Charles at the Motell conference. She also told at the Tsunami Benefit at Our Lady of the Snows. 
  • DAVID EAKER was born deaf and is a 1973 alumni of Missouri School for the Deaf. Throughout high school and time at TVI, Davis has always enjoyed storytelling and acting.  During his 32 years of employment at 3M Company in Columbia, David used storytelling and humor in his work place, working with colleagues, and business associates.
  • FLAVIA EVERMAN started storytelling in during high school in Troy, MO.  Always a fan of fables, mythology and folktales, this love carried on into telling stories to her children. Incorporating lessons from Aesop, she became the "books on tape" narrator to the family on car trips.  Her bookshelves look like a section from the Children's Area at the public library.  Flavia is always happy to share these stories with everyone she knows.
  • HEATHER HARLAN from Columbia, MO has been performing through stories and songs to audiences of all ages.  Whether spinning an Irish tale, an African folk fable or an original story; Heather finds a common chord within listeners and plays that chord with resounding energy, insight, and plain old fun.  Heather has also completed two recording projects. 
  • ANNETTE HARRISON - For 30 years Annette Harrison has been a multi-talented storyteller, performer, author and educator.  She travels throughout the United States performing, teaching and giving keynote addresses.  Annette has created two books on storytelling with a third waiting for publishing.  Annette hosted "Gator Tales", a weekly television program on KMOV-TV, promoting literacy, personal responsibility and self-esteem through storytelling.  Featured storyteller at the 1980, 1988, 1999 and 2009 Festivals.
  • YVONNE HEALY didn’t kiss the Blarney Stone; she swallowed it.  This immigrant grew up with Irish language and stories on an American Main Street.  Her Celtic legends and outrageous family lore provide humorous and thought-provoking fare for adults, teens and tweens.  Rollicking programs for children and families center on participatory tales from around the world.  Blarney or beyond, this American and Irish storyteller opens windows to life, as real and touching as it gets.
  • SUE HINKEL is a storytelling artist.  She paints pictures with her words.  On the planning board for the St. Louis Storytelling Festival and Executive Director of MO-TELL (Missouri Storytelling). She has served on the board of Gateway Storytellers.  She has been telling at the St. Louis Storytelling Festival for 28 years.  She tells at festivals, workshops, school and organizations  Featured teller, 1991 and 1999 Festivals. 
  • PHYLLIS HOSTMEYER would use the craft of storytelling, as a child, to wiggle her way out of trouble.  As an adult, she uses the craft to entertain.  She turns fairy tales into rollicking raps and humorous ballads as rhymes roll from her tongue.  But her favorite stories grow from the rich soil of the Midwest where she has lived all her life.  Parents, siblings, neighbors, friends, her husband, her children - they are all planted in her stories to create a harvest of joy, love and humor.
  • SARAH AND THOM HOWARD have become mainstays of the mid-states storytelling scene, and are just beginning to break into the larger area.  Their unique dual storytelling style, punctuated by hilarious original children's songs and fun fingerplay and participations stories and songs are just the thing for the youngest audiences.  Surprising silly and wonderfully engaging, they are sure to be remembered by the kids they perform for, as well as their parents and teachers.
  • MARY JO HUFF - Join the fun with the storytelling and puppet connection.  Mary Jo is the author of "Storytelling with Puppets, Props and Playful Tales."  She is a professional Storyteller, Puppeteer, and Early Childhood Educator with 25 years of experience to share.  She is known for her high energy performances and lively mix of rhythm and  rhyme, with storytime.  Her new storytellin' DVD "Fairy Tales, Fantasy, and Storytellin Fun!"  is a multi-award winner and voted Best of Film for ages 5 to 8. 
  • JOANN KING brings stories and historical facts to life motivating and stimulating the imagination of young people and adults.  Her repertoire reflects her interest in Afro-American experiences and art forms.  She chooses stories that offer messages of positive thinking, decision making and humor. She has traveled throughout St. Louis City and County to various schools and libraries. 
  • MARILYN KINSELLA, "Taleypo", is a full-time teller of tales from around the world.  She shares her stories with the young and young-at-heart.  Her style varies with the stories she tells.  She tells Native American stories, personal experience stories, Brer Rabbit tales and Midwest folklore.  Besides telling at many Illinois and Missouri schools, she has been a featured teller at Cahokia Mounds and many libraries, museums and special events.  Marilyn has been telling stories since 1981 throughout the Midwest.  Featured teller, 1991 Festival.  Come sit for a visit at http://www.marilynkinsella.org.
  • LINDA KRAM has been learning stories her whole life and has been telling stories for over a decade.  These days she uses stories in her job as a preschool educator.  Linda is married and has two teenagers. Linda recently had a story published in an anthology of St. Louis Jewish authors, New Harvest. 
  • DIANNE MORAN is an award-winning storyteller who has worked with children and wildlife for 35 years as a folklorist/naturalist, including 25 years at the St. Louis Zoo. She lives in the Missouri Ozarks where she owns Earth Ways Farm. Her programs often include mountain dulcimer and relics as well as her live animals, which serve as metaphors for her stories. Dianne performs Chautauqua programs as a Civil War and Lewis and Clark scholar throughout the Midwest.  Featured storyteller 2003. 
  • KUNAMA MTENDAJI is a native St. Louisan who was influenced by the stories, poems, riddles, rhymes, songs and stories of his parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles.  He considers it a priority to study and promote the folklore of his surrounding environments, and the source of that folklore, which begins in Africa.  These rich oral traditions are presented with the accompaniment of authentic dress, setting, music, and dance that span from Africa to the Americas.  Featured storyteller 1993 Festival. 
  • JOY NACK loves to tell dynamic, dramatic stories with a lot of heart!  During college her talents for writing, drama, and singing burst into full bloom.  Later she developed her talent for storytelling as an elementary school teacher and after she left teaching, she eventually became a professional storyteller and puppeteer.  She’s an active member of The Puppetry Guild of Greater St. Louis, Gateway Storytellers, Riverwind Storytellers, Puppeteers of America, the national Storytelling Network and the Northern Storytelling Network.  Joy is the Vice President of MO-TELL.
  • BOBBY NORFOLK, is a master storyteller who travels nationally performing for audiences of all ages.  His extensive experience includes professional theater and television, an accumulation of 23 years in the performing arts.  "I didn't seek storytelling, it sought me".  His distinctive voice immediately captures the listener's attention.  His stories are full of imagination which produce a myriad of visual images that have delighted listeners for years.  Bobby Norfolk is like an adventure story that has come to life.  Featured storyteller 1989 and 1999 Festivals. 
  • MARCIA OLLINGER is a former primary school teacher who was inspired to begin storytelling after attending the St. Louis Storytelling Festival in 1985.  Marcia shares traditional folktales from around the world, American, and original stories.  She tells stories to all ages with enthusiastic style.
  • STEVE OTTO is a full-time professional storyteller from Kansas City.  He has been telling stories since 1985, full time since 1994.  He has worked in television and has acted and directed in over thirty roles in Community Theatre.  Steve tells to all age groups from nursery school to nursing homes.  His program for senior citizens teaches them to tell their own personal stories as learning tools for other generations.  His programs for children show them the importance of opening the mind to create images to enhance their learning skills.
  • SHAARON PETERS is a singer/storyteller who blends song and story together as she accompanies herself on the autoharp.  With an animated style and the use of audience participation, she creates fun-filled storytelling sessions which are both entertaining and educational for all ages
  • MARILYN PHILLIPS tells the tales and sells the stories in and out of the library she works at.  She believes that good stories bring out the good in the readers and listeners.
  • LYNN RUBRIGHT author of Mama's Window and an internationally recognized performer and leader of workshops and seminars on the art and of power of storytelling in our personal and professional lives.  She is the designer of Project TELL network ORACLE and co-founder of award winning St. Louis' Metro 'Theater Company, Rubright's  Beyond the Beanstalk: Interdisciplinary Learning Through Storytelling (Heinemann) is an acclaimed resource for teachers and parents.  Lynn is a co-founder of the St. Louis Storytelling Festival.  Featured teller, 1986, 1989 and 1999 Festivals. 
  • KATHY SCHOTTEL has been a musician for over 40 years.  She has been singing stories most of her life.  Her storytelling began with her work at the St. Louis Public Library.  During her 36 years of library work, Kathy spread many stories and songs throughout the community.  Connecting to the audiences and drawing them in is one of the many special talents Kathy has.  Not only has she been onstage with storytelling but also “trod the boards” in everything from dramas to musicals.  This Renaissance woman has dabbled in directing, musical direction, puppetry and trying to play every stringed instrument ever invented.  Kathy has one recording out and loves finding obscure, humorous songs to sing.  She has been featured in several festivals including the 1994 St. Louis Storytelling Festival.
  • CAROL SHELTON is an educator, storyteller, and author.  She tells a wide variety of stories for children and adults.  Included are historical first person portrayals, original stories, folktales, and inspirational stories.  Carole continues her professional growth and development as a storyteller through workshops and professional conferences.
  • JOYCE SLATER was born and raised in Northeast, Kansas City, MO.  She attended Holy Cross Grade School, Cardinal Glennon High School and Central Missouri State University. Later she received her BSE in art from Emporia State University. She lives in Kansas City with her husband, Bob, and their dog, Gracie. They have two children and six grandchildren. Joyce began her professional career as a high school art teacher and also as a private teacher. She has been an artist and actress most of her life. In 1996, Joyce became a full-time free lance storyteller.
  • PERRIN STIFEL is a skilled professional storyteller known for his entertaining presentations.  When he began telling stories, he quickly realized how storytelling helped to foster a valuable relationship between teller and listener.  Stories, Perrin feels, can carry us through life and help us to better understand ourselves, others, and the world we live in.  Blending just the right mix of warmth and sensitivity with a "great" sense of humor, Perrin has the ability to evoke the imagination and endear himself to audiences of all ages.  Featured, 1990 and 1999. 
  • DEB SWANEGAN weaves the threads of history, fantasy, work songs, chants, myths, and legends into her magical repertoire of traditional and non-traditional oral folklore.  She combines her African American, Native American Cherokee, Jewish, and Scots Irish cultural heritage with her natural abilities to bring life to her stories.  Featured storyteller, 2002. 
  • SANDI SYLVER--North Aurora, Illinois--Storyteller/Ventriloquist/Songstress...Educational as well as flat-out entertaining, Sandi learned ventriloquism by reading a library book (and practicing a lot).  She tours nationally wiht her stories, songs and the puppet family which she refers to as "The Girls".  An Illinois Arts Council Roster Artist,  Sandi and friends perform for children, families and adults.  http://www.sandisylver.com.
  • SHARON THOMPSON is a former teacher and librarian.  She enjoys telling stories to both children and adults.  Besides folktales and special programs, Sharon has a good ear and loves stories with a dialect.  Sharon is the past president of St. Louis Gateway Storytellers. 
  • BLAKE TRAVIS, Vocalists and Percussionist, presents songs and stories that celebrate human diversity and unity to spark the creative spirit in us all.  Travis specializes in African, African-American, Native-American, Asian, and European stories; cultures that have vast treasures. Blake is a high-energy performer and enhances his tales by utilizing percussion instruments and actively used the members of the audience to bring spontaneity as well as a sense of participation, which bring the listener into the story.  Featured teller, 1998. 
  • JIM TWO CROWS WALLEN is a national award winner and a freelance oral historian who combines his love of history with a good story to keep you spellbound. As the oldest son of an oldest son, Two Crows grew up in a rich heritage of storytelling. He is the fourth of six generations of storytellers, which includes his daughter, Cristi Rose, and three of four grandchildren. Two Crows has been sharing stories for 25 years, averaging over 300 performances per year. The Missouri native has captured audiences spanning three continents.  Featured teller 1998 and 2004. 
  • CAROL WATKINS is a retired elementary school teacher with over twenty-three years of teaching experience. She has written curriculum for preschools and for the State of Texas. Carol is a published author with stories in Humpty Dumpty, Turtle, Missouri Life, and Instructor Magazines. Making stories come alive through dramatic and energetic storytelling is her passion.
  • GREG WEISS tells stories and presents workshops around the Midwest and beyond. His story sources include world folklore, poetry, his large family and an overactive imagination. His performance background also includes theatre and rock & roll. In his spare time, he teaches middle school.  He is a contributing author to two popular books on storytelling for young people.  In his spare time, he teaches middle school.  On the board of the Northlands Storytelling Network, Greg received the Studs Terkel Humanities Service Award from the Illinois Humanities Council for his efforts. 
  • LINDA WHIGGAM currently works for Special School District as a teacher assistant.  She completed Religion Education and got her B.A..
  • NINA WILSON, graduated from National Tech. Institute for the Deaf, she is involved with Deaf Theater, storytelling, and is a member of several organizations. 
  • KEN WOLFE has long been telling tales, fake realities, and outright prevarications to his semi-captive audiences.  Ken’s outlandishly whimsical narratives, peppered with sound effects and almost-accurate dialects, have amused his middle school scholars by the thousands for nearly 19 generations of graduates. Ken has also performed his narrative lies for both the gullible and the skeptical in museums, camps, churches, cemeteries, caves, businesses, and homes.  All Ken’s stories are completely true, by the way; at least as far as you know. Honest.
  • LARITA WRIGHT – Ms. "W" will delight you with fanciful tales of old and new. She believes that storytelling perks up the imagination and causes you to say "ahh!".  Regional teller 2007.
  • JACKIE & GLEN "PAPA" WRIGHT - Jackie Wright tells high-energy folktales while Glen "Papa" Wright, Jr., adds dynamic sound effects and music. Their stories range from multicultural and animal tales to fables and inspirational stories.  And their listeners get to participate in the percussion and the stories.  Regional tellers since 1998, Regional Featured tellers 2006
  • KAREN YOUNG believes her storytelling appeals to the "young at heart and ancient in spirit".  Her vivid character portrayals from history and folklore, as well as stories told in the voices from many lands and times, entertain and educate all audiences anywhere people are willing to sit a' spell and hear a story well told.  A professional storyteller since 1992, Karen has been featured at storytelling events throughout Midwest and is a storytelling and writing artist with Springboard to Learning/Young Audiences of St. Louis and the Center of Contemporary Art (COCA).  Featured 2007
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