MYSTIC PAPER BEASTS Marya Ursin 8 Hancox Street Stonington, CT 06378 (860) 535-3346 Email: mybeasts@aol.com Website: www.mysticpaperbeasts.org The Mystic Paper Beasts have gained international renown for their whimsical performance style and for their amazing hand made masks. Performances of new and old myths include dance, mime, narrative, and feature 25 - 30 masks in each show. Appropriate for family audiences, and for pre-K - 6, depending on the show. Shows run 45 minutes and can be followed by a Q & A time. Repertoire includes: Art Fool (about making art, antic and amusing); Myth Spritz (Greek Myths); Magic Soles (Fairy stories about shoes); Sky Tails (Native American Stories), Asian Mystery Tales (two Japanese and one Chinese story). Plays may be commissioned. Workshops: Myth in mask (using the Beasts' masks): using the body and the mask in creating short tales. (15-20 students) Mask making (requires art supplies and quite a bit of time): 3 hours with paint drying time separate. (Small groups are best) Program Titles: Myth Spritz; Art Fool; Asian Mystery Tales; Sky Tails. Audience Limit: 30/class; 500/assembly Fee: $600 for single performance; $900 for two in same location. Workshops: "Myth in the mask: $100 per instructor per hour; "Mask making": $120 per hour per instructor, most materials supplied. All fees negotiable. Special Requirements: One hour set up time for programs. If the distance is great, the Beasts ask to be housed locally. Funding Sources: New England Foundation for the Arts, Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism

STORYTELLING   FOR    CHILDREN   -   KATE   CARNEY Kate Carney 51 Pettee Street Newton, MA 02464 (617) 244-0209 Fax: (617) 926-7273 E Mail: carneyk@earthlink.net Web site: www.katecarney.net Need a riveting, versatile entertainer who can delight all ages and whet their curiosity? Need an artist-in-residence who can work effectively with children and teachers? Storyteller Kate Carney can meet these needs and more. Since 1989, Kate has been telling stories to audiences young and old, at schools and libraries throughout New England, drawing on her broad repertoire of international folktales, myths and living history stories. Her presentations are highly interactive, educational and fun-filled. An eclectic teacher/performer, with 25 years of teaching experience, Kate tells stories and gives workshops for all levels. Her programs tie in with on-going classroom studies -- from nature and the environment to living history to disability awareness. Audiences describe her performances and workshops as inspiring, informative, and energizing, eg: "Kate has a wonderful way of engaging children of all ages -- she understands what interests and amuses them. I am impressed with how she creates a warm, friendly atmosphere in which shy children feel comfortable. She is a fine actor and a warm, pleasant person with many talents to share.” Ed G., Director, Old Schwamb Mill, Arlington, MA Kate’s storytelling captivates students’ attention, helps them process ideas, follow narrative, develop sequential thinking and improve their memory. They grow personally involved in the subject -- values such as character development and conflict resolution sink in. Her engaging style encourages students to honor themselves, their community and their physical environment. Her message is Yes! If you keep at it, you can be anything you want to be. She also focuses on appreciating differences and developing self-esteem. By integrating arts into the curriculum, she motivates students to want to read. The result? Inquiring and creative minds, students who find reading exciting and accessible. In her Residencies and Workshops for Children, Kate humorously and interactively pulls drama and skills from her receptive listeners as they begin to create stories. They start by re-enacting the events and characters they’ve just heard about. They go on to learn how to select a story, sequence its beginning, middle and end -- and present it in a final Story Festival. In her Teachers’ in-service trainings Kate is committed to helping teachers reach their curricular goals. Her work is based on the progressive educational tradition – she gives exercises which stimulate question-asking, encourage the ‘whole child’ and provide ‘real-world’ experiences for children. Kate is a multi-faceted Performer, Educator, Coach and Speaker. She is a member of the League for the Advancement of New England Storytelling, has written articles for the LANES Museletter and is a regular presenter at the Sharing the Fire North East Regional Storytelling Conference. She is available for touring performances, Workshops and Residencies, Teacher in-Service Trainings and Coaching. Study Guides are available for these 45-minute programs. Visuals enhance the programs and help kids to see what life was like ‘back then’. Interactive Living History Stories (Grades 2-4) Kate's creative approach to teaching history and language arts weaves storytelling, song and dramatization into learning. Playing an historical woman, she tells stories, leads kids in period songs and invites them to act out events from that part of America’s history. Inquiring, creative minds and responsible citizenship develop as she and the group focus on culture, science, art, fashion and our diverse culture. Kate is happy to plan ahead with teachers, and to adjust the program for that group’s goals. Students may want to bring questions to ask Kate's character (History, Reading for 2-5) The American Revolution: What was it like to be a kid in colonial days? Kate introduces children to the riddles, tales, songs and games of children in Pre-Revolutionary Boston. The Frontier: Using simple objects, students re-enact events in stories they’ve just heard about the Oregon Trail and the Frontier. The Lowell Mills: After stories of how the mill workers lived, students imaginatively step into their shoes to learn how to spend their money wisely. Immigration: After hearing immigrants’ stories, youngsters take a mock exam like the ones immigrants had to take to enter this country. Helen Keller's World: What would it be like to be deaf, blind and mute? Kids explore the roles of the disabled and their guides, to find out how it would feel to experience that world. The Girl Scouts: Juliette Low’s childhood led her to found the Girl Scouts. Children hear about what the early Scouts did and try out some of their activities. Story Programs for younger kids- tailored to your needs Greek Myths/Aesop's Fables: Kids hear and act out Aesop's fables, and/or talk over the misadventures of some Greek heroes, gods, and goddesses. (K-6) Mother Nature's Myths: Tales of Nature’s quirks; activities to honor her. (K-4) Multicultural Tales: folk stories, songs and games to help kids understand other cultures. (K-4). Audience Limits: Prefer groups of 60 or fewer. Fees: $280 plus mileage for groups up to 60. Larger groups - Negotiable. Discounts available for Residencies, Day-long Workshops, Co-sponsorship and Block Bookings. Funding Sources: New England States Touring (NEST) program of the New England Foundation for the Arts

DIANE  EDGECOMB PO Box 300016 Boston, MA 02130 (617) 522-4335 E Mail: dedge@livingmyth.com Website: www.livingmyth.com For over twenty years, Diane has been bringing top quality storytelling assemblies to schools and educational institutions. Her gifts as a storyteller, educator and communicator make her as appreciated by teachers as she is by students with many repeat engagements requested. The effortless way Diane's programs bring educational information into an entertaining format inspire the most reluctant learners to open up their imaginations. From Nature and Science programming to performances representing unusual cultures, including Native American Nature Myths and the Kurds of the Middle East, each performance is the result of careful and thorough research. Visit her website or look below through the Seasonal, Cultural, and Nature offerings for programs like Insect Comedy, Digging Dinosaurs, Tales for the Earth, Welcome in the Spring, Rainforest Legends and more to bring an entertaining assembly to your school with Diane Edgecomb one of New England’s favorite storytellers. Different material and stories are told depending on whether the assembly is for K-2 or 3-6th grade. Each performance comes with an extensive curriculum package, which includes both science-based and language-based activities. Dear Diane: I was just putting away my files for this year's enrichment programs at Steward School and I wanted to mention that you had an overwhelmingly positive response from the teachers here. Their comments included, "She kept 5 classes mesmerized!" "She was masterful at knowing when the students needed a motor break" and "She really engaged them with her stories!" One teacher suggested that you give workshops to teachers on how to tell a story! Should you ever need a reference, please don't hesitate to have someone contact me. We hope to have you back to Steward again in the future!" Julie Sullivan, Enrichment Chair, Topsfield Elementary Schools, MA "I would like to thank you for your terrific performance this afternoon. The students were completely captivated and thoroughly enjoyed your lively delivery, great expressions, interactive style and story content. Several of the teachers stopped me during the day to add their complements and enthusiasm about your program." Ellen Kassaraba, Wellington School PTO, Belmont, MA Program Titles: For complete program descriptions, see http://www.livingmyth.com Celebrate the Season Tall Fall Tales: brings alive the autumn world of nature with original stories and songs sure to delight. Perfect for just starting out the school year. This performance centers on the star in the apple, fall colors and a young girl who just cannot sit still in class! Once Upon a Wintertime: Warm your hearts and your imaginations with this performance of tales from long ago. These stories of wintertime magic and fun are drawn from many cultures ranging from the lyrical Grimms’ tale of Snow White and Rose Red to tales of folksy New England escapades. Welcome in the Spring: Welcome in the spring with talking earthworms, nesting birds and kite flying adventures. The perfect accompaniment to this joyful season. Summer Escapades: celebrates family fun with participatory stories chosen from Diane's best-loved family tales. Including a favorite story about a monkey who takes a wild ride on the back of a shark! Once Upon a Halloween: This fun-filled Halloween event has a huge cauldron bubbling over with fog for the last dramatic story. All tales are appropriate for family audiences ages four to forever and contain a well-rounded blend of suspense and humor. Explore Cultural Riches Native American Nature Tales explores tribal myths and legends of the animals and birds of North America. Ranging from the humorous to the heart-felt, these stories celebrate native culture and its strong links to the natural world. Diane was given permission to tell these tales by many prominent Native authors. European Tales of Enchantment: Enter the world of fairy tales where magic is only a moment away, and lessons about how to live are expressed through vivid symbols. Classic fairytales as well as unusual versions of familiar stories. Fit for a King’s Ear: Diane Edgecomb accompanied by Margot Chamberlain on Celtic harp. This Medieval program is filled with tales of unusual princesses and Arthurian Knights. A Fire in My Heart: Kurdish Folktales: Based on Diane's new book of Kurdish folktales, this program introduces students and families to this pivotal Middle Eastern culture. A map, anecdotes of her collecting experience and traditional dress and dance round out our exploration of this little known culture. Irish Shenanigans: There is plenty of laughter and delight in this animated retelling of Ireland's best-loved gems. This performance is also available with Margot Chamberlain accompanying the program on Celtic harp. Enter Nature’s Realm Digging Dinosaurs: These popular dinosaur adventures complement their scientific facts with a happy dose of humor. Based on current scientific discoveries, this piece educates as it entertains. Rainforest Legends: From the banks of the Amazon River to the heart of the West African jungle, Rainforest Legends brings to life favorite folktales and songs about the animals and plants of these lands. Tales for the Earth: A Celebration of Nature and all the simple things we can do to help. What shines through the entire presentation is a love and respect for our place in nature; with many ideas communicated about how we can create a difference. Insect Comedy: Insect Comedy takes a delightful look at our Six-legged friends. Diane's hilarious interpretations of Mr. Mosquito, Mr. Gnat, Old King Lampyradie Beetle keep us laughing as we take a closer look at the world of insects. Night Lights: In Night Lights, unusual star myths take us on a multi-cultural voyage across the heavens. Listen in wonder as tales from Greece, Estonia, Native America, Kurdistan and Korea celebrate the magic of the night sky. Audience Limit: Suggested maximum 250 Fee (including travel): $525 first show, $300 per additional show. Additional block booking rates available. Workshops $65 each when booked with a companion performance. Funding Sources: Massachusetts Cultural Council, New England Foundation for the Arts, Local Massachusetts Cultural Councils

ANGELA   CAY   KLINGLER   - THE STORYTELLER PO Box 530 Salem, NH 03079 (603) 898-0537 E Mail: TheStoryteller@AngelaKlingler.com Website: www.AngelaKlingler.com “I've worked with hundreds of artists. It is rare to find one who is as skilled at her craft and also as professional. I would recommend Angela without reservation.” (Jeannie Connoly, Arts Enrichment Coordinator, Con Val School District, NH)) “Angela's artist-in-residency filled our school with a new sense of adventure and wonder about the world.” (Denise Buckman, Grantham Village School, NH). Nationally recognized and telling professionally since 1989, from museums and arts festivals to educators' conferences, schools and libraries in NH, MA, ME, VT, NY, TX and CA, NAPPA award winning storyteller and education consultant Angela Klingler's animated retellings of traditional world folktales, fable, myths and legends bridges time, culture and curriculum K-8. (NOTE: An operating room R.N. before beginning her "second career," Angela's programming fosters an increased narrative understanding: engagement, attention, processing, sequencing, memory; the value of and personal investment in curriculum by students and fostering conflict resolution and character development through storytelling.) Program Titles: World Folktales, Fables, Fairytales, Myth, Legend and Geomythology; Story, Stone, Water, Fire; Fairy, Beasts & Lore; Tricksters, Tall Tales, Traditions, Legends & Lore; The Middle Ages; Colonial America; The Moon & Stars; Stories Around the Camp Fire; Bold Girls, Wise Women. (NOTE: Developing custom designed interdisciplinary and curriculum specific programming since 1989, visit website for sample programming for: Science, Geomythology; Environment, History; Literacy; Seasonal & Storycraft sessions available.) Audience Grade Level Suitability: K - 8 Audience Size: No limit, however, a distraction-free room/space large enough to accommodate audience is required. Special Requirements: If telling outside, electricity for portable sound system. Fee: $400 for a half day of one to three sessions or evening PTA/PTO Book Fair or Family Night performances, $600 for a full day-up to six sessions; $800 for full day with post performance Teacher Inservice. Additional travel fee calculated at federal rate may apply. Residencies, Teacher’s Inservices and Conferences vary and are negotiable. Block scheduling available. Funding Sources: New England States Touring (NEST) program of the New England Foundation for the Arts

MARY   JO   MAICHACK   MINSTREL/STORYTELLER Maichack Arts 93 Homestead Ave. Holyoke, MA 01040 (413) 532-3667 Fax (413) 538-6023 E Mail: EmJay7@aol.com Website: www.maryjomaichack.com/ Winner of two national awards (NAPPA Gold & Honors) for her CDs of storytelling & music, veteran singer and storyteller Mary Jo Maichack has "got it down to a science," says Pat Pierce of Newington's Lucy Robbins-Welles Library. Mary Jo offers a huge variety of themes for your library, school (prek-8), museum, festival or other venue, from summer reading club shows to school residencies and professional development workshops for teachers and parents in using storytelling as oral literacy skill-building. Fun. Fun. Fun. Aligned with learning standards. Easy, fun and businesslike in making arrangements. Free posters and press releases save you time. Performer, creative teaching artist, cabaret singer and dynamic teller of folktales, Mary Jo's shows work because they are unusually interactive. In family and children's programs, your audiences sing, (MJ plays guitar) chant, play instruments, make sound effects, dance, act in costumes and have a ball. Vastly experienced (22 years) in any age-group or mix of ages. Using multicultural folktales at the heart of each program, Mary Jo weaves in music, dance & audience play. Please visit Web site for show descriptions from summer reading to preschools to Halloween and beyond. Winner, Julie Andrews Artist-in-Residence Award, Mass. Cultural Council Stars residency, NEFA touring artist can help fund your program. B.A. cum laude, English lit., Middlebury College. Extensive foreign language study. "Clever and engaging," says School Library Journal, "A perfect choice for the literacy path," says L.A. Parent Magazine As a cabaret singer interpreting the Great American Songbook, Mary Jo brings top notch professional pianists to accompany her and wow your audience--background or shows. Performed at Pittsfield Mass.'s Colonial Theatre, Cranwell Resort, Berkshire Forum. Program Titles: Books Are Celebrations—the funniest reading show ever; Everybody Says Hello—Multilingual Fun in Story & Song; The People Could Fly/African-American Folktales and Music; Clever Maidens: Women's History in Folklore and Myth; Greek Myths—ALIVE!, Native American Tales; Skunk Grease & Turpentine (Hilarious Tall Tales & Tunes of American Pioneers); The Minstrel's Revels: A Medieval Romp; Or Would You Rather Be A Fish? Folklore & Songs of the Sea); Howlarious Halloween/Ghost Stories & Songs; Sun, Moon, Stars!; All Together Now/Stories & Songs to Celebrate Diversity; Round the World in Tales & Tunes multicultural show; The Lake of the Croaking Frogs and Other Tales & Tunes of Nature; Preschoolers’ Palooza!; Stinkbug Bugaloo: Stories & Songs of Insects; Meowls & Growls: Animal Tales; After-school programs incorporating performance with teaching kids storytelling skills; Workshops, in-service programs and residencies in storytelling for adults and children; “Oh, Behave! Family Audience Management Essentials for Event Hosts.” Audience Limit: prefer audiences of 200 and under but will discuss any Fee: $395 and up Funding Source: Massachusetts Cultural Council, local councils, CT Humanities Council, other

YOU   and   ME   PUPPETS Judith O'Hare (781) 944-0965 E Mail: jaohare@gmail.com Website: www.youandmepuppets.com Judith O'Hare developed the You and Me Puppets in 1977 to provide a way for children to be expressive through the art of puppetry. Her style of participatory puppetry is unique and her work in puppetry in education has been recognized by the Puppeteers of America through a leadership award in 1994, and most recently she has been named a national education consultant. She oversees a yearly "Puppets: Education Magic" teacher training project, speaks at educational conferences and provides on-site teacher training for schools. She also works in partnership with teachers to develop classroom puppet plays from conception to performance. Student workshops are also available in a variety of subject matter. Program Titles: Memories of a Chinese Grandmother (Grades K - 8); The Selfish Giant (Grades K - 6); Jessica's Friends (preK - 4); Hansel and Gretel (K - 6), Tales from Greek Mythology (Grades 5-8; Petite Puppet Plays (preK-4) Audience Limit: 25/workshop/class; 200/assembly Fee: Start at $350, reduction for same performance/same day/same location. Funding Sources: Massachusetts Cultural Council, New England Foundation for the Arts, B.O.C.E.S. (New York) Special Requirements: assistance for loading and unloading, electricity, space approx. 15X20