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

JACKSON   GILLMAN -   "Stand-Up   Chameleon" PO Box 41 Onset, MA 02558 (508) 295-0886 E-Mail: jacksong@jacksongillman.com Web site: www.jacksongillman.com Sparkling with energy, wit and whimsy, the "Stand-Up Chameleon" magically transforms into a wide array of colorful characters. Through his many talents as songsmith, comic, mime and storyteller, Jackson engages and delights audiences of all ages with his highly visual and interactive performances. Many different shows to choose from including several educational nature programs. Has been a featured performer at festivals across the country. For 6-12 grades, his two substance abuse awareness presentations have been used annually by schools for their prevention programming. 30+ years experience, easy-going and flexible, references galore. Program Titles: Nature in Action, Story and Song - an educational romp on the wild and crazy side of natural science; Riot in the Garden - fun-filled farm science, awarded Most Educational at the MOFGA Common Ground Fair; BUGS! - doodlebugs, spiders, ants and other crawlies are featured in this low-life revue; Once Upon a Tide - fun and fishy repertoire from the sandy beach to the briny deep; On a Wing and a Song - a birds-eye view of the cycle of seasons; Moon Crazy - captivating songs and stories to take you far away and pilot you happily home; Autumn Wonders - a rich tapestry of the colors, sounds and smells in a heartwarming, story and song-filled celebration of the season; Halloween Silly Willies - songs and stories to tickle your funny-bone without scaring your pants off; Winter Wonders (or Holiday Huzzah for Christmas and/or Chanukah) - heartwarming celebrations of the seasons, holidays and the human spirit; Spring Into Action and Song - celebrates spring and in all of its song-filled wonder; The Man Who Planted Hope - an inspiring account of reforestation in Provence, adapted from the story by Jean Giono; The Magic of Rudyard Kipling: Just So - the classic Just So Stories brought to life; Levity in Motion - mime and stories for the family, airborne exploits and other childhood flights of fancy; A Family Cabaret - an intergenerational look at daily rituals, wake-up to bedtime, from all perspectives; The Dancing Man (with ASL) - lively, interactive songs and stories to move and groove with; Harlequin and the Gift of Many Colors - stories of friendship performed with sign language; Swamp Cake and Cattails - assembly program about anti-bullying and social acceptance, fancifully disguised as a prehistoric comedy with dinosaurs and dragons; Hard Knocks - an intense one-man drama dealing with substance abuse within a family; The Perfect High - a lighter-side look at the prevention of substance abuse; Fee: starts at $375 + travel Funding Sources: 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