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Connecticut Storytelling Festival & Conference 2023 Header

April 26 & 27, 2024

Connecticut Storytelling Festival & Conference 2023 Header


Who's Who
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Peter ChandPeter Chand

British Indian storyteller Peter Chand is one of Europe's most renowned storytellers and is constantly in demand for his tales of life, love and supernatural. He has shared his tales across Britain and has also performed in Norway, France, Lithuania, Austria, Canada, and Singapore amongst other countries. He is also a trainer of high repute, leading workshops with teachers, librarians, budding storytellers, university students, business leaders, health professionals, and anyone trying to find their voice and gain confidence when performing in public. Peter is also part of the organising team of Festival at the Edge, which is the oldest storytelling festival in England., and was the Storyteller in Residence at the Story Museum in Oxford for 18 months. He has just been awarded and Honorary Fellowship by the University of Wolverhampton for his storytelling activities and for championing storytellers from a global majority heritage. www.peterchand.com Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/peterchandstories


Vijay NathanVijai Nathan

Vijai is one of the leading Indian American female comedians making people laugh across America and internationally too. International comedy phenomenon Russell Peters calls her “One of the top two South Asian comics in the world to watch!”

She has performed in South Africa, England and Canada, and was featured at the Montreal International Comedy Festival (Just for Laughs) and the Smirnoff International Comedy Festival. Washington DC loves her too- she’s performed at the Smithsonian Museum, Kennedy Center, Constitution Hall, Library of Congress and won the award for Artistic Excellence from SpeakeasyDC.

She’s gained attention from critics from her solo-shows “Woman on Top: Tips from Mom, Dad & COSMO” & “Good Girls Don’t, But Indian Girls Do. ” Vijai grew up as a “foreigner” (or at least that what everyone called her) in the suburbs of Washington D.C. where she was born. Her material comes from her experience as an Indian girl in America - raising two immigrant parents, dating boys with mothers who wished their sons could find a nice blonde girl named "Tiffany," and the universal quest for love, understanding and a good pair of undies.


Rona LeventhalRona Leventhal

Rona Leventhal has been sharing her passion of the power of story for over three decades, putting laughter in the belly and smiles in the hearts of listeners. One listener said “Throughout the story I felt like I was watching a fully staged play with scenery and a cast”. Rona’s performances are dynamic, evocative, funny…..sometimes at the same time! She aims to leave her audiences with “aha’s!” and “ah’s!”. Her performances have taken her from the stages at the National Storytelling Network, the National Yiddish Book Center, international venues, festivals, conferences, schools and libraries. Rona is a Teller of Tales, Workshop Leader, Improv Specialist, Coach, Teaching Artist and Consultant. She has both an award winning CD “Into the Dark: Stories From the Shadows” and book, Spinning Tales, Weaving Hope.



Bonnie Gardner LeventhalBonnie Gardner

Bonnie Gardner made her storytelling for the stage debut in 2020. A former journalist who changed careers to work in IT, Bonnie never lost her love for a good story. She has performed frequently with Better Said Than Done and is a Six Feet Apart story slam winner. She was a New Voice at the 2022 Stone Soup Storytelling Festival in South Carolina and has performed in the Women’s Storytelling Festival. She is based in Virginia.











Kevin JohnsonKevin Johnson

Kevin Johnson’s portrayal of Webb is told from an emotional and exciting first-person perspective that vividly illustrates the struggle of the African-Americans in the Colored Infantry during the Civil War. He tells of his early life in Hartford, his recruitment and training, and the traumatic final battles of the Civil War. The presentation is based on extensive research in the collections of the Connecticut State Library and the Museum of Connecticut History.

Evidence suggests that Private William Riley Webb was born about 1834 in Hartford, Connecticut, to Eloise Johnson. His father’s first name is unknown. Eloise married Edwin Salisbury on November 24, 1836, in Hartford. Eloise and Edwin also had a daughter Emerett. Emerett married Benjamin Franklin Roberts, a member of a prominent African-American publishing family in the Boston, Massachusetts area. Eloise and Edwin eventually moved to the Boston area.

In 1855, Webb committed a crime and was sent to the Wethersfield State prison where he spent four years.

William Webb enlisted in Company F of Twenty-Ninth (Colored) Regiment, Connecticut Volunteer Infantry on Dec. 22, 1863. He was mustered into the organization on March 8, 1864. He was discharged on March 9, 1865 after suffering an eye injury which resulted in vision loss.

William Webb married Augusta E. Madison of Ellington, on March 12, 1864. They were married in New Haven before the 29th left the state.  Augusta and William had no children. William passed away in 1868. His estate was probated at the Ellington District Probate Court. Augusta died at the age of 19 on April 3, 1868.


Leeny Del SeamondsLeeny Del Seamonds

With a face and voice that launched a thousand characters, Leeny Del Seamonds is a multi-award-winning international entertainer, singer, recording artist and professional Voice Actor. Her animated and uplifting tales and tunes reflect her love of people and desire to embrace life to its fullest. She is the Recipient of the National Storytelling Network Circle of Excellence Award. From a prized television show to a village in Gengcun, China, to the Comix Club in NYC to the National Storytelling Festival and Cayman Islands International Storytelling Festival, Leeny encourages listeners to rejoice in human and cultural diversity, inviting them to share in her Cuban American sense of humor and joy of performing. With Latinx passion, fire and wit, Leeny's dynamic one-woman shows and renowned workshops headline happenings worldwide.



Oz MorseOz Morse

Oz Morse, a musician and songwriter based out of Knoxville, Tennessee, takes inspiration from many genres and artists, from Zappa to Hancock, and specializes in psychedelia/fusion. He is a member of several bands, including Tennessee Love Connection, an 80s new wave cover project, as well as Destination Unknown, and the budding fusion group Sisyphus. He also makes visual art, and abides by the peace loving traditions of wandering minstrels in the hippie era.







Connecticut Storytelling Festival & Conference 2023 Header



Who's Who
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––––––– FRIDAY, APRIL 26 –––––––

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7:30 p.m.

Cabaret – personal narratives

All Souls Unitarian Universalist Congregation - Unity Hall

Oz Morse – music as audience gathers

Emcee & Storyteller Leeny Del Seamonds – “Sideshow”- Leeny becomes a neighborhood celebrity.

Bonnie Gardner – “Flipping The Switch” – When becoming a mom doesn’t include pregnancy or giving birth, when does motherhood begin?

Rona Leventhal – “My Mother’s Hands”- Rona, her Jewish mother, and food…oy gevalt!

Presentation of the Peg O’Sullivan Volunteer Award

Peter Chand – Excerpts from “Mangoes on the Beach” – Immigration from India to England.

Vijai Nathan – “Chuck E. Cheese” – a story about hair, mean girls, and trying to fit in.

Oz Morse - music to transition to the open mic.

Open Mic


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––––––– Saturday, April 27 –––––––

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9:00 – 10:30 a.m.

Performance by Kevin Johnson,

“The Life and Times of William Webb"

All Souls Unitarian Universalist Congregation - Unity Hall

An African American Civil War Soldier from Connecticut”. An emotional and exciting first-person perspective that vividly illustrates the struggle of the African Americans in the Colored Infantry during the Civil War. Kevin tells of Webb’s early life in Hartford, his recruitment and training, and the traumatic final battles of the Civil War.

9:00 – 10:30 a.m.

Workshop with Rona Leventhal

“Moving the Body, Freeing the Mind:

The Art of Storytelling”

Thames Club Dining Room

Experience a story from the inside out! Through movement, voice, visualization, and exploration we will play with a story, discover its essence, delve into characters, explore imagery…and see how this stew influences your telling! Come ready to play, explore and take risks in a safe environment. Appropriate for beginners (even if you’ve never told a story!) or as a “story tune-up”! Wear comfortable clothes for moving…and let’s dig in!

9:00 – 10:30 a.m.

Workshop/Performance with Peter Chand

“Puzzling Stories”

All Souls Unitarian Universalist Congregation – Nash Classroom

Cunning conundrums, labyrinthic stories, and conversations about the role and creative power of riddles in the 21st century.



11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

The Gathering of Tellers

A potpourri of stories and tellers

All Souls Unitarian Universalist Congregation – Unity Hall

Oz Morse will provide music as the audience enters and between each teller.

Leeny Del Seamonds will emcee and tell “A Gift for the King” – A Persian king receives a bounty of gifts.

Bonnie Gardner – “The Red Thread” – The journey to parenthood can be full of twists and tangles.

Vijai Nathan – “McGoddess” – A journey about faith and why we believe what we believe.

Presentation of the Barbara Reed Award

Rona Leventhal will tell a tantalizing traditional folk tale from her rapturous repertoire!

Peter Chand will tell a traditional Indian tale from stories he collected while visiting India.


12:30 – 2:00 p.m.

Lunch on your own





2:00 – 3:30 p.m.

Bonnie Gardner, Leeny Del Seamonds, Oz Morse

Thames Club President’s Room

Bonnie Gardner will tell three stories of transition, change, understanding, and hope:

“Alexis’s Big Reveal” – During the pandemic and in the digital age, how do we share important news?

“Crashing” – Learning to let go when life doesn’t unfold the way you’d thought.

“The Sign” – In a politically divided culture, a disturbing event provokes a powerful reaction.

Leeny Del Seamonds will tell “Suki” – A Japanese crane returns a kindness.

Oz Morse will play a medley of the world.

2:00 – 3:30 p.m.

Rona Leventhal

“The Prince of Pirates and the Witch of Wellfleet”

All Souls Unitarian Universalist Congregation – Unity Hall

Wander the bluffs of Cape Cod, Massachusetts and you might hear whispers of the ghost of Marie “Goody” Hallet, calling for (or cursing) her lover, “Black Sam Bellamy”. Rona’s version of this classic Cape Cod tale, set in the early 1700’s is an interesting intersection between legend and history…and truths that are both factual and real. Playing fifteen characters, Rona offers an engaging, powerful look at life in Puritan New England through the lens of story. It addresses the history of the era, universal themes, “gang mentality”, hypocrisy and resilience. Come hear their tale…this is not your average ‘happily ever after’ ending!

Rona Leventhal Performs'The Prince of Pirates and the Witch of Wellfleet



2:00 – 3:30 p.m.

Vijai Nathan - Workshop

“The Truth Hurts But It Is Funny”

All Souls Unitarian Universalist Congregation – Nash classroom

Exploring personal narrative – Through a series of interactive exercises, participants will learn elements of a good story, story structure, and uncover many story ideas.

2:00 – 3:30 p.m.

Youth Tellers

Public Library of New London

Come hear the next generation of storytellers!

Presentation of Kate McClelland Librarian’s Award


3:45 – 4:45 p.m.

Peter Chand – “Grimms Sheesha”

All Souls Unitarian Universalist Congregation – Unity Hall

Many of the stories we know as European tales are widely believed to have origins in the East, having reached here through travelers, gypsies, merchants, and those who were just fond of a really good yarn…



5:00 – 6:00 p.m.

Artists Meet and Greet – FOR MEMBERS ONLY

Thames Club President’s Room





6:00 – 7:30 p.m.

Dinner on your own





7:30 – 9:00 p.m.

The Scattering

Peter Chand and Vijai Nathan

All Souls Unitarian Universalist Congregation – Unity Hall

Presentation of Spencer Shaw Educator’s Award

Peter Chand will tell “The Clever Daughter In Law” – A beautiful and dark tale from South India where wit saves more than just the day.

Vijai Nathan will tell “Good Girls Don’t But Indian Girls Do” – A story that breaks every taboo as it exposes the underbelly of an Indian American family.



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The 2024 Connecticut Storytelling Festival & Conference

is made possible in part with funding from

The Connecticut Office of the Arts,

CT Visit Greater new London/Norwich



CT Humanities Council


and story lovers like you.

Thank you!






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