Thursday, October 28, 2021

Ojai Storytelling Festival's Youth Outreach!

Donald Davis, Regi Carpenter, Kim Weitkamp, Diane Macklin, Bil Lepp.

2 shows: $1200, 1 show: $800     

We are making the Ojai Storytelling Festival available to your school at your site.  These performances are guaranteed to educate and elevate spirits.  The assemblies encourage students to read, write and listen discriminately.  Each of the assemblies will offer age-appropriate material.  These are among the finest storytellers in the nation.  These performances will ignite imaginations with rich language and interesting characters. Please select either group I or group 2 to come to your school. Each group of tellers can also perform at middle or high schools with material for that age group.

Note there are student outreach performances with these storytellers on Friday, Oct. 29 at 9:30 and 11:15 at Libbey Bowl, a large outdoor venue, tickets are just $5.

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Group I:  Donald Davis, Regi Carpenter and Diane Macklin

Group 2:  Bil Lepp and Kim Weitkamp

Storyteller Descriptions

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Group 1

Regi Carpenter

Regi Carpenter brings a remarkable blend of warmth, humor, and depth to every performance she gives. She captivates audiences with traditional stories from around the world as well as stories of the irrepressible Carpenters growing up in the Thousand Islands on the St. Lawrence River in Clayton, New York for four generations. With a voice that dances, it can at a moments’ notice, be light as a feather, playful as a puppy or leap with sudden power and surprise.  Best of all is the sheer joy she communicates in telling her tales of hope and wonder.  

Donald Davis

A master of the personal story, Donald invites you into the stories of his life to discover the stories you own.  With wit and laughter, with characters that shine bright and bold, Donald’s stories glow with wisdom and humanity. He truly is a master of the spoken word and a kind of time machine that takes listeners to another place, another time. And did I mention, he is funny!

Teacher's Guide: 

Diane Macklin

Diane Macklin captivates audiences with her dancing hands, lyrical voice and high energy. An acclaimed storyteller, actress and educator. She has delighted audiences for over 15 years through her dynamic style seasoned with rhythm, sounds and movement. 

Group 2

Bil Lepp

Drop-dead Funny, Bil Lepp will amaze you with his outrageous, humorous tall tales that you wish would never end.  A five-time champion of the West Virginia Liar’s contest, Bil’s stories will entertain listeners of all ages and walks of life.  But beware… Bil’s wit will hit you and you will never see it coming. Get ready for a wild ride on Lepp’s limousine of laughter. A storyteller, stand-up comedian and wordsmith extraordinaire Bill Lepp is a favorite of festivals around the world and especially Ojai. Catch him as the host of Man vs History on the History Channel too.

Teacher's Guide: 

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Kim Weitkamp

Hard to explain, easy to enjoy.​

Kim has been called many things - Speaker, humorist, consultant, spoken word artist, singer/songwriter, keynoter, coach, artist-A lot of titles...but one main thing ties them all together. ​Story. Kim speaks and performs to tens of thousands of people a year. She is a storyteller at the top of her craft and whether the story is tucked into a speech, performed from stage, or used as a tool for learning, one thing is for sure - At the root of all she does, Kim is first and foremost a storyteller. 

Touring Assemblies At Your School

Lessons

March 21-25

Leland Faulkner's World of Wonder

2 shows: $1200, one show: $800     

Leland Faulkner’s theatre career was developed under the mentorship of legendary mime Tony Montanaro. His unique imagination has created a program that is both sophisticated and accessible. Classical conjuring, light hearted humor, physical theatre, and amazing shadows create a unique and original performance.

Growing up with an international background inspired Leland to create a program that has been hailed by presenters around the country as one of the best family programs available. His performances have taken him all over the U.S. and to Russia, Japan, China, Hong Kong, Spain, and Turkey. 

Prepare to be astounded by the variety, entertainment, humor and magic Leland brings to the stage.  Hold on to your hats in preparation for a parade of amazing characters as an old hat brim is transformed into an amazing number of humorous characters from around the world. See shadows come to life using only a pair of hands, and journey to Old Japan with magical storytelling. Get ready to witness near miracles of prestidigitation, acting, storytelling, and that will make you wonder.

Leland presently tours, teaches, devises and directs for a living, creating original productions like Shadowplay at Virginia Commonwealth University, teaching working professionals at The Very Physical Comedy Institute, inspiring other teachers at the Tennessee Arts Academy, and teaching movement for opera singers at The Castleton Artists Training Seminar. He was recently the physical comedy director for The St. Louis Repertory Theatre’s hit production of One Man Two Guvnors. 

Leland lives in Maine with the two lights of his life, his wife and daughter. 

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May 2022 - Dates TBA - Touring Assemblies

Bill Harley

2 shows: $1200, one show: $800     

A two time Grammy winning performer, Bill is a masterful storyteller, an incredible singer and an award winning author of children’s books.  Bill connects with students of all ages and his stories are funny, poignant and life-affirming.  A live performance with Bill Harley is an unforgettable experience, there is no one that communicates and understands the world of kids like Bill.  His repertoire includes folk tales, personal stories about growing up, and stories about schools that includes teachers, bus-drivers, cafeteria workers and principals.  Masterful storytelling and comic narrative songs will have students young and old laughing out loud. With slice-of-life vignettes about big trouble and simple pleasures, Bill’s rubber-faced abandon and keen memory will delight students of all ages.

Teacher's Guide: 

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Antonio Sacre, Bilingual Storyteller

1 assembly $800; 2 assemblies $1200;
3 assemblies $1500

Antonio is a nationally acclaimed storyteller that tells folktales from Latin America and original stories with humor and style. Antonio connects with students of all ages and his warm personality and engaging style are a winning combination for students of all ages. Antonio is also a published author.

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Boxtales Theatre Company
Iron John only: 1 assembly $700; 2 assemblies $850;
3 assemblies $1000
All other shows: 1 assembly $800; 2 assemblies $950;
3 assemblies $1100

BOXTALES Theatre Company uses storytelling, music, masks, and movement to present world myths and folktales to audiences of all ages. www.boxtales.org

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NEW SHOW! Stand Up Stories – Multicultural Tales to Live by - Explore the corners of the world to gain wisdom and compassion on a fun filled journey with lions, magical fairies and Greek Gods! Click here for more information. 

Study Guide

NEW SHOW! Africa to America – The Ananse Story - Ananse the Trickster Spider is having a party, and you're invited! Sing and dance with him, while he travels to new lands and transforms in the process. This show features live West African drum rhythms & songs. Great for Black History month. Click here for more information. 

Iron John – A Brothers Grimm Tale - Journey with the wild man to the dark forest, pass the test, and become a king in this action-packed tale of wonder and transformation, featuring acrobatics, mime and live music. Click here for more information. 

Study Guide

Waters of the Earth – Multicultural Tales of the Sea - Sing Sea Chanteys and sail around the world with a magical Selky, the Greek God Dionysus and Sinbad the Sailor. Click here for more information. 

Study Guide

The Hero Twins – A Mayan Story - This interactive, bilingual show follows the Mayan Hero Twins down into the underworld, where together with the audience, they must call on their animal friends to outwit the wicked, three-headed Lords of Xibalba. Click here for more information. 

Study Guide

B'rer Rabbit and Other Trickster Tales from Around the World - These stories inspire self-reliance and creative problem solving on a humorous and magical journey with wily creatures who teach us folk wisdom, and life lessons. Click here for more information. 

Study Guide

The Odyssey – Heroic Tales from Greek Mythology - Journey with the great hero Odysseus while he encounters Poseidon, Zeus, the Cyclopes, Calypso, Circe and many others in this Classic Greek adventure tale. Click here for more information. 

Study Guide

Dan Crow

1 assembly $550; 2 assemblies $700;

3 assemblies $900 - Elementary

Dan is a wonderful performer known for his zany songs and stories. The biggest secret about Dan is that his school shows are not only fun but quite educational. For the primary grades his focus is on sounds and Dan explores language in a way kids will never forget. For upper grades, Dan does songs about homonyms, prepositions, palindromes, etc., as well as myths and his own original stories. Dan's friendly manner and zany characters are a winning combination your students will long cherish. www.dancrow.com

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Study Guide

Michael McCarty

1 assembly $600; 2 assemblies $800;
3 assemblies $950

Known for his high-energy performances, Michael will take your students across the globe through story. Using humor, movement and spirited telling, Michael will captivate your students with his exciting program. www.havemouthwillrunit.com

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