Regional Storytellers

There are over 40 regional storytellers that tell stories at almost 50 venues throughout the St. Louis metropolitan area.

• 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.  2000 Festival featured story teller.
• 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.  1991 and 2005 Festivals featured storyteller.
• 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.  1995 Festival featured story teller.
• 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.  
• LARRY BROWN is an assistant professor of Human Geography at the University of Missouri-Columbia.  Larry has been a storyteller for more than 25 years and is a co-founder of the Mid-Missouri Organization for Storytelling (MOST), which is centered in Columbia, Mo.  He is on the board of directors of, and the immediate, past chair of Story Telling in Higher Education, a special interest group of the National Story Telling Network (NSN).  Larry tells to all ages and is known for his original Jack Tales and ghost stories, as well as personal, Christmas, and medieval stories.
• GLADYS COGGSWELL brings to the stage a wonderful blend of tradition and performance through her stories of the African American experience in Missouri and traditional folktales.  Her book, "Stories from the Heart-Missouri's African-American Heritage," was published by the University of Missouri Press in June of 2009.  She is the 2010 recipient of the Distinguished Achievement in Literature Award from the Missouri Humanities Council.  Gladys Coggswell has received many awards for her storytelling ability and her awesome stories. 
• JEANNE B. CREWS is a retired elementary school teacher who taught for 46 years.  She now tells stories through her volunteer work in area schools to kindergarten through sixth graders.  She has also told at many area school activities and family functions, at the Botanical Garden, and the county parks.  She was a regional teller at the Motell conference in St. Charles and also told at the Tsunami Benefit at Our Lady of the Snows.  Jeanne now teaches children’s literature at St. Charles Community College.  
• DAVID EAKER was born deaf and is a 1973 alumni of Missouri School for the Deaf.  Throughout high school and time at TVI, David has always enjoyed storytelling and acting.  During his 32 years of employment at 3M Company in Columbia, David used storytelling and humor in the work place, working with colleagues, and business associates. 
• ELLA EAKINS tells her stories in American Sign Language (ASL) with an expressive face and body language.  She is currently teaching a sign language class a Concordia Seminary in Clayton.  She has been a regional storyteller since 1998 and the chairperson of the Deaf Program of the festival since 2001. 
• 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.
• LEE GIEZENTANNER is an employee of the Parkway School District (River Bend Elementary) where he regularly does storytelling for all grades.  A new addition to Springboard, Lee specializes in Ozark tales and lively stories for children of many ages, as well as the young at heart.  A member of MO-Tell and Gateway Storytellers, Lee looks for stories that have a healthy dose of comedy and also appeal to his sense of animation.  This is Lee’s first year with the St. Louis Storytelling Festival, and he is proud to be entertaining audiences of all ages.
• HEATHER HARLAN from Columbia, MO performs 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.  Warmth, animation, and audience participation hallmark her performances.  Heather has completed two recording projects.  
• ANNETTE HARRISON has been a multi-talented storyteller, performer, author and educator for 30 years.  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 that promotes literacy, personal responsibility and self-esteem through storytelling.  1980, 1988, 1999 and 2009 Festivals featured story teller.
• 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.  
• 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.  
• 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.1991 and 2010 Festivals featured story teller.  Come sit for a visit at http://www.marilynkinsella.org.
• 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 produces 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.  
• SHERRY NORFOLK, an internationally acclaimed storyteller and teaching artist, is co-author of the brand new Social Studies in the Storytelling Classroom (Parkhurst Brothers, 2012), as well as the award-winning The Storytelling Classroom:  Applications Across the Curriculum (Libraries Unlimited, 2006) and Literacy Development in the Storytelling Classroom (Unlimited, 2009).  She is an adjunct professor in the Integrated Arts in Learning program at Lesley University.  2000 Festival featured storyteller. 
• SARA NORTHERN, Ed. D. is a teller of fairy tales in a non-traditional manner.  Her tales include African-American characters based out of St. Louis, Missouri.  As a storyteller, she has been telling stories to children of all ages.  One of her accolades was being honored with the Irene Eveland New Storyteller Award.  She is overjoyed to be a Regional Storyteller for the 33rd Annual St. Louis Storytelling Festival. 
• 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.  This is the 24th year he has told at the St. Louis Storytelling Festival.
• 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 is the 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.  
• CHRISTINE SALAMONE lives in the Enchanted Forest at the end of the rainbow with her own zoo friends.  Besides having two dogs and five cats at home, she also has a natural habitat in her backyard with numerous animals. Christine especially enjoys volunteering with her dog named Comet at the Children's Hospital and Ranken Jordan where she has made a difference in people's lives. 
• KATHY SCHOTTEL has been a musician for over 40 years and has been singing stories for most of her life.  Her storytelling began during her 36 years of library work at the St. Louis Public Library.  Kathy spreads many stories and songs throughout the community.  Connecting to the audience 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.  1994 and 2010 Festivals featured storyteller.
• CAROLE 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 for most of her life.  Joyce became a full-time and free lance storyteller in 1996.
• JANE STENSON retired after more than 30 years as faculty at the university and in the classroom.  Jane tells principally at a pre K-8th grade school.  She finds, learns, integrates and tells stories that are curriculum related.  Jane co-authored The Storytelling Classroom:  Applications Across the Curriculum (Libraries Unlimited, 2006) and Literacy Development in the Storytelling Classroom (Unlimited, 2009).
• 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.  1990 and 1999 Festivals featured story teller.  
• 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.  2002 Festival featured storyteller.
• 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 with 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.  
• 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 30 years, averaging over 300 performances per year.  The Missouri native has captured audiences spanning four continents.  1998 and 2004 Festivals featured storyteller.  
• LORETTA WASHINGTON is a Master storyteller, multipurpose workshop presenter and author.  She uses voices and animations to paint the pictures that bring her characters to life.  Watch as she weaves her delightful tales in such a way, that you'll feel like you are a part of her story.  Loretta has traveled to Europe and several other countries and has incorporated some of the customs, lifestyles and mannerisms of these countries into her stories.  Her versatile, high-energy style of storytelling is guaranteed to please everyone that listens.
• CAROL WATKINS is an educator, a published author, and has served as a consultant and curriculum writer for over twelve years.  She is also a professional storyteller, puppeteer, and ventriloquist performing in libraries, schools, retirement facilities, camps, professional groups, clubs, preschools, and churches.  Her programs are fun, lively, interactive, and often educational.
• 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 23 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 of Ken’s stories are completely true, by the way; at least as far as you know.  Honest.
• JACKIE & GLEN "PAPA" WRIGHT, Jr. - 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
• LARITA WRIGHT – Ms. "W" will delight you with fanciful tales of old and new. Her stories are designed appropriately for each audience or themed based, if desired.  Regional teller 2007.
• 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