ConnTell: R - W

Joyce Marie customizes most of her programs to each individual whim and fancy, or profound thought. If you prefer, you may choose a specific program, geared to any age - 1 to 101.

Some of her designed and costumed programs:
"A Flavoring of Connecticut Folklore"
"The Story Queen"
"When I Am An Old Woman"
"Ghostly Shadows and Shakes"
"Sadie, the Witch, and her Silly Spooks!"
"Have You Ever Seen a Leprechaun?"
"American Girl Dolls Tell Their Stories"
"Sheherazade Spins - To Save Her Head"
"Mother Goose Comes To Visit"
"Hats On! Hats Off!" a variety of multicultural stories
"Mehitabel Adams" a fictional character dressed in 1770s attire

Fee: Negotiable

Paul Recker offers programs of folktales, legends and songs for preschool, K-5 and family audiences, and concerts for seniors. Paul has been performing full time, throughout New England, since 1986. He is an accomplished guitarist and an engaging storyteller whose easy and magnetic style draws the audience into the performance like kids into a candy store.

"Paul Recker [does] his thing, using just his guitar and a vibrant spirit to captivate his audience, children and adults alike." - Ndidi S. Emeagwali, The Herald, New Britain, CT.

Bob is an expansive storyteller, teacher and an award-winning author of books for children and adults. Whether he is spinning an original wonder-tale for children, bringing new life to an old folk tale or recounting stories of growing-up in Brooklyn, Bob brings warmth and wit to everything he tells. Jay O'Callahan says "Bob smiles with his whole body!"

From New York's Clearwater Hudson River Festival to Pittsburgh's Three River Festival to Vancouver's World Storytelling Day Bob brings his unique and joyous story telling around the world.

McFarland Press listed him among the "120 best contemporary English-speaking Storytellers." Dr. Morgan Hill (Brother Blue) calls him a "force of nature."

Through his school residencies in Story-making and Storytelling he has taught thousands of children throughout the northeast how to craft and tell their own tales.

Fees: Negotiable.

In her series "Obscured Women", storyteller and performer, Tammy Denease Richardson introduces us into the world of fascinating women who have been obscured through the annals of history yet were prominent in the African-American community. Tammy has developed performances and workshops appealing to a wide variety of audiences.

Her workshops and presentations engage her audience through folk tales that teach life lessons and are coupled with hands on activities that leave her audience educated and eager to learn more.

"Tammy was the most requested artist for school years 2005-2007" - Desiree Kleykamp, Greater Hartford Arts Council.

"Tammy is excellent at engaging and entertaining her audience." - Caroline D'oTreppe, Director of Education New England Air Museum

"Ms. Richardson's performance was outstanding, and extremely well-received by our diverse staff. Her verbal and visual weaving of the life experience and social context elicited an emotional response from thr audience, many of whom were moved to tears.... [Her] ability to seamlessly blend education and entertainment while captivating her audience is a rarity." - Michael Sherman, Chief Executive Officer, Community Health Services, Hartford, CT.

Fees vary

Connie tells traditional tales and literary stories that she has collected through thirty-five years of experience as a storyteller and a children's librarian. She urges audiences to become actively involved in the storytelling experience. Using an Appalachian dulcimer, she weaves songs and chants through story programs. Her workshops for teachers stress an interdiscipinary approach to storytelling to entice reluctant readers and challenge gifted students. She offers workshops on many aspects of literature for children and teenagers.

"Our students were mesmerized. Ms. Rockman's stories are meant to be enjoyed by all ages." - Anita Pfluger, formerly at Stratford High School.

Audience: Elementary school through adult

Fee: Negotiable

Mark Shepard is a multidisciplinary Performing & Teaching Artist who uses drums - he carves huge drums from Native Sycamore wood - songs & stories as well as cool sound effects instruments (many made from "handy household items") to interactively engage, entertain and educate audiences of all ages in performances, workshops and artist residencies.

DrumSongStory^TM is both an eclectic, ever-changing, boudary-breaking, mind/heart/ear-opening celebratory combination of Drums, Songs and Stories, and all of these brought together as an individual perfomance piece.

Mark has released 12 CDs (more in the works) and is on the roster of the Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism as a performer as well as a "Master Teaching Artist."

Fee: Negotiable

Marla Sterling's interactive stories "written to order", developed at Stepping Stones Museum for Children, have proved a hit with young and old. She offers programs from her repertoire, or will invent stories on your specific theme. Whether storytelling as The Story Queen or as the improvisational science teacher Maggie Netic, her style and stories are entertainment for all.

Marla also offers programs as acting teacher, coach, or workshop leader, having directed and taught improvisation and theatre at Universities, theatre schools, and privately.

Fee: from $175

Jeri Burns and Barry Marshall are The Storycrafters. Their natural, energetic style has been featured in major festivals, schools and libraries in the US and abroad. Winners of the 2007 Oracle Award from the National Storytelling Association, and with awards from Parents' Choice, The Oppenheim Toy Portfolio and Storytelling World, they specialize in original retellings and modern renditions of world folklore, integrating music and song, poignancy and pizzazz.

Their family radio show, "Just Imagine" has been showered with awards from the NYS Broadcasters' Association. They have been called 'top-notch family entertainment' and 'the Wimbledon of wit', but their son would say, "Oh that's just Mommy and Daddy!"

Lot, a therapist and former minister, enjoys telling stories from around the world. He tells stories from Japan, China, Europe, North America and the continent of Africa. Whether the story is a Native American folktale about the world's beginning, the fun of a little baby wide-mouth frog, or even a scary one, Lot invites the listener to discover the wonder in the tales he tells.

With lyric skill and intensity, Ellie Toy brings stories to life. Audiences of all ages are invited to join her in exploring the magic and wonder of folk lore, ghost stories, literary stories and more.

Regardless of the setting, she is equally at home in performance or workshops. Her audio tape, The Boggart and Other Stories includes the classic Connecticut legend, The Simsbury Witch. Listed in the Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism's Directory of Performing Artists.

"Your performances have always been a magical experience to me." - Diane Austin, PTO President.

Valerie Tutson was graduated from Brown University with a degree in a self-designed major, "Storytelling as a Communications Art" and a Masters in Theatre Arts. Since 1991 she has been delighting audiences all over the world with her enthralling storytelling style. She tells stories from all over the world with an emphasis on African traditions and Black History. Her repertoire includes stories and songs learned in her travels.

"Valerie is an energetic, dynamic performer who leaves the room vibrating when she exits. Her voice, her ... expressions, and her... movements make her presentation a delight for children and adults." - Randy Roberts, Director NY State Museum

For fees and booking information contact:
Sharon Kelleher sharon@kelleheragency.com, (978) 207-0707.

A gifted performer and artist-educator for over 25 years, Tim blends together tales, tunes, and songs to bring their wellspring of wisdom, humor, warmth, and excitement. Music flows in and around his stories through his singing and playing on a wide variety of traditional instruments including hammered dulcimer, guitar, conga drum, and limberjack (a dancing wooden rhythm puppet). His dynamic style of voice and movement brings stories to life, and his knack for encouraging participation makes for high-spirited and engaging programs. Tim also offers workshops and residencies.

Programs include Building Bridges (multicultural stories of community and connection), Hearing Nature's Voice, Sun and Moon and Stars, Mystery Mastery, Shivers & Shudders, Sing, Say, Laugh, Clap! (for young children), and The Story Bag. There are also special programs for seasons and holidays throughout the year.

Tim has been chosen for the New England States Touring Program, the Massachusetts Cultural Council's Creative Teaching Partners, and the New Hampshire State Library's "Kids, Books, and the Arts" program.

"Tim is a triple treat. He can sing, play instruments, and tell whopping good tales!" Jane Yolen, renowned author and storyteller.

Audience: All ages

Fees: $350 and up. Block booking rates available.

Music With Margie, LLC

Children's Recording Artist, Songwriter, Teacher
And Early Childhood Music Consultant

Of Singin'Round the Campfire: The Hartford Courant says, "Delightful"; New Haven Register, "Joyful songs with storytelling lyrics that invite participation"; The Middletown Press, "lively and fun; kids of all ages will enjoy. . .hilarious!"

Audience: Pre-K, K-6, and Families

Fee: Negotiable

Music and joy infuse world folktales, myths and original stories. Teresa weaves in participatory music with voice, guitars, celtic harp and percussion instruments. She has done hundreds of residencies and workshops, and performs for both children and adults. Some residency topics include:

She has two audio recordings with two new ones in process.

Fee: from $350

ANNOUNCING: AN EXCITING NEW INTERACTIVE FAMILY CONCERT: "JOHNNY APPLESEED"

Dawn's "song and story" are the 'Appleseeds' of the waterways and land. Founded in a vital sense of the preservation of America's history and the connectedness of all humans and "critters", Dawn has travelled the Eastern United States for over 30 years, sharing her instrumental variety and skill, spontaneous audience participation, costumes, props and folklore, with audiences of all ages. Authentic sources from the North Carolina mountains and the Connecticut River Valley.

"...[her] rapport with the audience is fascinating...[it] conjures up mental pictures with her narrative while stirring the emotions with her song." - Executive Director, CT Symphony Orchestra.

Video demo and CDs available.

Fee: $250 - $375