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Telling Tales from Cultures Other than Our Own
with Joe Hayes

Cultures have a way of overlapping—like branches from the trees in neighbors’ yards. It’s only natural to want to partake of, and share, some of the delicious stories we discover in the varied cultures that make up our community. In this session we’ll explore the process of embracing, honoring and telling tales from traditions other than our own.  Special attention will be given to the cultures of the American Southwest. Special care will be taken to avoid political complications. 

Joe Hayes was an early pioneer of bilingual Spanish/English storytelling and is known for sharing tales from the Hispanic, Native American and Anglo cultures.  His books have received numerous awards, including two Land of Enchantment Children’s Book Awards, four IPPY Awards, and an Aesop Accolade Award. Joe has been the resident storyteller at the Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian in Sante Fe for many years, has been designated a New Mexico Eminent Scholar by the New Mexico Commission on Higher Learning and has received the New Mexico Governor’s Award for Excellence and Achievement in the Arts.  Joe is an NSN ORACLE Talking Leaves Literary Award recipient.  www.cincopuntos.com/authors_detail.sstg?id=19

Taking Your Story to the Stage 
with Connie Regan-Blake 

Come with a 10-12 minute story that is almost stage ready but has some room for growth and new perceptions.  During our time together, we will cover aspects of bringing the telling to life, including polishing the story and getting ready to perform it on stage, awareness of what works as well as developing and improving the storyteller’s connection to the audience, the story and themselves.  The goal is for the teller to take the stage with confidence and style.  During the last part of the workshop, four tellers (you’ll have the option to put your name in the hat!) will tell their story and receive appreciations and feedback.

Connie Regan-Blake is one of America’s most celebrated storytellers.  She has captivated the hearts and imaginations of people around the globe with her powerful performances and workshops. Entertaining audiences in 47 states and 16 countries, she brings the wisdom, humor and drama of stories to main stage concert halls, libraries and into the corporate world. Connie has been featured on seven award-winning recordings – five audio and two videos produced by PBS. She has been a guest on NPR’s All Things Considered, ABC Good Morning America and CNN. Connie has been honored with NSN ORACLE awards for Circle of Excellence, Distinguished National Service, and Lifetime Achievement.  www.storywindow.com/

Speak Ye and the Page Appears! 
with Tim Tingle
Hoke, maybe it’s not quite that easy. But as storytellers, we already know the structure of a solid plot––a brief intro, a build-up of tension, and a powerful resolution. And who better writes dialogue than we who portray a multitude of intimate strangers on stage?  Expect a practical, you-do-the-work session, with ample Q/A time for the usual suspects: writer’s block, daily habits, finding publisher, agent, a writer’s group, how to begin or where do I go from here? 

From children’s illustrated, short stories, to YA and adult crossover novels, I’ve learned along the way––from St. Donald, St. Jackie, and St. Allyouguys. Be glad to share the pits and falls, the OMGs and LOLs of a life of writing that began when I was 6. 
For beginners and experienced writers. We can learn from each other.  

Tim Tingle is an Oklahoma Choctaw award-winning storyteller and author. He performs for over 200,000 people annually and has been featured at the Kennedy Center and National Storytelling Festival.  Tim’s multiple book awards include American Library Association Notable Books, American Indian Library Association’s Best Children’s Book, New York Times Book Review Editor’s Choice, and most recently, the 2014 American Indian Youth Literature Award.  An NSN ORACLE Talking Leaves Literary Award recipient, Tim released his first adult novel, House of Purple Cedar, this year.  A former dancer, basketball player, milk truck driver, carpenter, coffee machine repairman…, Tim inspires future writers to never give up!  www.timtingle.com/

Crafting for Your Bread and Butter:  
Rocking School Assemblies with the Perfect Stories
with Donna Washington

Performing for schools can be a very profitable endeavor in more ways than one.  Schools represent a captive audience of future performers, listeners, and organizers.  Getting students hooked on storytelling early is a good way to increase our numbers on stage and in the audience. Donna Washington spends most of her time performing for elementary, middle and high school students.  One thing she’s discovered is that schools really appreciate when you offer them age appropriate and learning-standards targeted assemblies.  She’s been told that lots of artists talk a good game about offering different shows for different age groups, but lots of them do not deliver.  In this master class, Donna will share how she weaves crafting techniques, social and emotional development, and literacy building skills into successful storytelling sets for everyone from pre-K through high school. 

Donna is an award-winning storyteller, author, and recording artist.  Her CD awards include iParenting Media Excellent Product Award and multiple Parents Choice, Storytelling World and Children’s Music Web Awards.  Donna has performed at thousands of schools, libraries, and storytelling festivals across the country, including the National Storytelling Festival.  She offers workshops in storytelling, writing, education, and creative drama for librarians and educators and will travel the country to tell stories and give workshops for anyone willing to listen.  Donna has recently discovered the joys of blogging and invites you to follow her blog:  http://donnawashington.blogspot.com/.  http://donnawashington.com/