ConnTell: F - L

Anne-Marie Forer captivates children with her delightful programs of songs, stories, and rhythm instrument play. Her skillful integration of quiet listening with enthusiastic participation reflects her extensive experience as a teacher, children's librarian, storyteller and musician. She often appears as Mother Goose. Other character programs: The Pumpkin Princess, Mrs. Frost, Mrs. Claus, Mother Nature, The Queen of Hearts, and Engineer Annie. Programs are suitable for preschoolers, K-2 and families. Additionally, Anne-Marie teaches storytelling skills, using her experience and repertoire to help older children become tellers. She plays a variety of instruments including fiddle, guitar and banjo, and is a registered Music Together® teacher.

Fee: $200 - $500/negotiable

Sparkling with energy, wit and whimsy, the "Stand-Up Chameleon" engages and delights audiences of all ages. Song, dance, mime and/or sign language might be incorporated into his performance, or a simple, quiet delivery - whatever works best to bring a story to life. Many interactive shows to choose from including several educational nature programs. Featured at NSA three times and other festivals across the country. Unique workshops offered. 28 years experience. Easy-going and flexible. References galore. Listed with SCLC, NEST. (Frequents New Haven area.)

"A masterly storyteller. Compelling..." - Christian Science Monitor

"One could never err in selecting Jackson. He's incredible!" - Missouri River Storytelling Festival

Enter Carol Glynn! Lively, entertaining, energetic and heartfelt, she leaps into your heart with complex characterizations, thoughtful storylines and humor that inspires rip-roaring laughter. Audiences participate in every show. Elementary and family topics include: Bullies, Legends, International and Fractured Tales. Also an author, speaker and teaching artist.

"Carol should be on every school's list for presenters. She is an outstanding professional." - Olga Manos, Program Director, Regional Vacation Academy (S.E.CT).

Fees: $425 per CT show

Katie Green tells stories to bring people closer to one another and to the environment. Her stories are sprinkled with songs and chants that invite audience participation.

A seasoned teller in schools and libraries, Katie has performed at the Connecticut Storytelling Festival, the Children's Concert at the National Storytelling Conference, and Three Apples Storytelling Festival. She is known for her love of Ancient Stories, Hans Christian Andersen tales, and for the skill with which she fosters storytelling in others.

Katie is a recipient of the National Storytelling Association's 1998 Service Award for her work with educators. Katie is a Creative Teaching Partner with the Massachusetts Cultural Council and is listed with the New England States Touring roster (a juried list at Matchbook.org).

Recordings:
The Little Mermaid and other fairy tales
Egyptian Myths and Magic
The Red Hat
The Night Before Christmas

Book:
Spinning Tales, Weaving Hope (editor, contributor)

Fees: $375 and up. Block booking rates available.

Liz's stories are all about connection across time, experiential, ethnic and national boundaries. Liz tells folktales from around the world as well as contemporary and personal stories to audiences ranging from the youngest children to family and adult audiences. Liz has shared the magic of Oral Tradition in a variety of settings, from festivals to intimate groups and relishes them all. In schools she works with teachers to integrate her stories and activities with curriculum, always expanding vocabulary, listening skills and imaginations as well as addressing issues such as self esteem and community. Liz holds a Masters of Arts degree in Oral Traditions.

"They had so much fun, they never realized Liz was supporting my curriculum every month." - Kelly Sousa, a Hartford Public Schools elementary schoolteacher

"Your lovely, melodious, soothing and confident voice was a true balm. The story was rich on so many levels." - Rita Stark, a retired English teacher and prison literacy volunteer

Lisa Worth Huber is a storyteller, educator, and writer. She holds a Master of Arts degree in Oral Traditions, and works with teachers and students developing methods of integrating oral stories into class curriculum to enhance cultural themes, reading, narrative and poetic writing, creative inquiry, and community building. Lisa designs programs for schools based upon teachers' needs and requests. She works with a wide range of students from elementary to graduate level. Along with curriculum based programs, Lisa is happy to come to schools or organizations for the sole pleasure of sharing stories.

Her work is featured in the book, The Storytelling Classroom - Applications Across the Curriculum. 2006

Fees vary based upon project and the individual school's budget

Abigail "Ifatola" Jefferson, storyteller, dancer and arts educator, performs and conducts workshops nationally. Through a unique blend of story, song and dance, Abigail brings to life stories from around the globe. Her performance presentations are highly interactive, educational and fun-filled. Audiences of all ages have described her performances and workshops as inspiring, informative, and energizing.

Abigail has conducted workshops and performed in schools, churches, prisons, shelters, theatres, festivals and libraries. She has performed with the Nubian League at the Smithsonian Institute, Lincoln Center's Outdoor series, and the National Black Storytelling Festival. Currently, she is co-director of Celebration of Culture, a program designed to increase students' and educators' appreciation of diversity.

Fees: $350 and up

Barbara Jeffries is a dynamic teller of tales who connects with her audience whether they are five or ninety-five. With a strong voice, compelling presence and a passion for storytelling, she can take an audience on a journey from traditional folk tales to personal and literary stories with warmth and enthusiasm. Barbara has performed in senior centers, libraries, schools and in Tellabration events.

Performer/Educator/TheatreDirector
Storyteller/Dancer/Sign Language Artist.

In performance Karen creates Stories and Songs that Dance on Hands and Feet, across the floor and through the air with combinations of words, danced movements and American Sign Language. In educational settings students learn to enhance stories with movement and signs, and to shape written stories for the stage.

Also available: Stories for Women, Christmas Gifts, and full length (90 minute) tellings of either The Hobbit or Charlotte's Web.

"Her performance by any standard was a tour de force. Seeing the versatile Ms. Josephson is like getting two shows for the price of one." - New London Day

Fees: From $300

JuggleJoy's blend of stories and circus skills delight children of all ages. Whether spinning tales or spinning plates, this husband-wife team uses juggling, magic and other "antic arts" to create unique and memorable performances. Show and workshop topics include: circus and vaudeville history, masks, improvisation, Greek drama and stand-up comedy.

Listed in the Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism's Directory of Performing Artists, JuggleJoy offers performances, workshops and residencies that enrich arts, science, language arts and physical education curricula.

Fees: From $300

For over 12 years, Tom Lee has told authentic, traditional folktales to audiences of all ages. He trained in England, researching stories at the British Museum. He has appeared on BBC-TV, been heard on National Public Radio and has performed at the Connecticut Storytelling Festival and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Classroom programs, grades K - 12. International stories, and special programs on the Middle Ages and classical mythology.

Tom Lee is a Master Teaching Artist with the Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism.

Fee: $350 to $550

Language defines the world and different languages define the world differently. Steve, who has lived in Japan for over ten years, has combined English and Japanese. Using his well-received "champon" style, Steve hopes to pass on an appreciation of the Japanese language and how Japanese writers for families view the world.

Steve also does presentations on Japan for elementary schools.

Sharon Lynch draws on her background in education and creative movement to bring grace, drama and humor to her storytelling. She invites audiences to see, through story, the gifts of nature; to hear inspirational tales from folk and fairy tales, saints' lives, and the Bible; and to feel the joy or sorrow or peace while actively listening. School, library, organization and church programs for families and adults.

Fee negotiable.

Folktales, literature, myths, show tunes, Torah and Midrash or original material. Shari Lynn's abundant energy and warm heart appeal to audiences of all ages as she combines stories and songs with audience participation. Shari Lynn has appeared at Festivals, schools, churches, synagogues, libraries, museums, enior centers, malls and private parties. Performances, workshops, residencies.

"You were wonderful! You really got the children involved and held their attention. Even the ones who don't normally pay attention were so absorbed!" - Pat Doolan, Director of Head Start, Litchfield, CT

Audience: Ages 3 to 103

Fee: $200 and up