The Shadow
Clifton Forge, Va. (VR) – Storytelling is coming to the Alleghany Highlands! The Historic Masonic Theatre and Virginia Storytelling Alliance are excited to bring to you the Alleghany Highlands StoryFest on Friday, November 4 and Saturday, November 5.
Storytelling enthusiasts are invited to be a part of the very first Alleghany Highlands StoryFest through a partnership between The Historic Masonic Theatre and Virginia Storytelling Alliance, with support from The Alleghany Foundation. Performances will include regional storytellers and feature storytellers Kim Weitkamp and Donna Washington. In addition to three storytelling concerts, there will be storytelling workshops, an open mic event, and a Story Slam. Alleghany Highlands StoryFest is a family-friendly event.
The Alleghany Highlands StoryFest begins on Friday as Storytellers present to 650 third to fifth grade students from Jeter Watson Elementary School and Callaghan School in the morning and the afternoon will be spent at Mountain View Elementary School and Sharon School.
At 6:00 pm, doors open at The Historic Masonic Theatre and the first Friday Night Concert begins at 7:00 pm. Storytellers for the evening include Lona Bartlett, Kim Weitkamp, Mylinda Butterworth, and Donna Washington.
Lona Bartlett is a professional storyteller, puppeteer and educator who has delighted audiences throughout the U.S. and internationally for over 30 years.
Kim Weitcamp grew up in Amish Country as the middle child of exhausted parents. Labeled by teachers as high-spirited, uncooperative and too talkative, Kim took those comments and channeled them into a lifetime of high-energy, heartfelt and hilarious artistry. We are better for it.
She is an award winning storyteller, author, singer-songwriter and humorist. After using applied storytelling in her work with adjudicated and at risk youth for 12 years, Kim took a turn onto a different avenue of story and song which led her down the path of full time touring for the last 15 years where she gathered an armload of awards. She performs regularly at festivals and theaters around the country, has written a well-received folk operetta and has been a guest editor and contributor for various publications. Kim’s material gets regular airplay on Sirius XM and NPR Affiliate Stations. Kim states, “Story is at the foundation of all I do. Whether I am making an audience laugh, writing a new song or presenting a keynote, story is the springboard for each and every step I take. I share and teach the art of storytelling with great intention. Why? Because I have witnessed, firsthand, its incredible power.”
Mylinda Butterworth first stepped into the spotlight as a baby, then onto the stage to perform at the age of three. With a father who taught storytelling on the university level, is it in wonder that MyLinda is a teller of tales both written and spoken? Her energetic style, vocal pyrotechnics, and broad variety of stories make her a favorite wherever she goes.
Donna Washington is an award-winning internationally known master storyteller, artist-educator, and author who has been performing for audiences of all ages for over thirty-five years. She is renowned for her storytelling for both children & adults from poignant & funny fables about the human condition to racy relationships stories to spine-tingling tales of terror. She has been featured at numerous festivals, schools & libraries theaters and other venues around the world including Canada, Peru, Argentina & Hong Kong. During the pandemic, she has presented over two hundred shows & workshops virtually online. In 2020, she co-founded the non-profit organization Artists Standing Strong Together with Master Storyteller Sheila Arnold for which they won a 2021 Oracle Award.
Donna’s eleven storytelling CDs have garnered thirty national awards. She has authored numerous articles about storytelling and education including her very popular blog Language, Literacy & Storytelling. She is also the author of five children’s books: Li’l Rabbit’s Kwanzaa, A Pride of African Tales, The Story of Kwanzaa, A Big Spooky House, and award winning Boo Stew. Peachtree Press is scheduled to publish her next picture book, Prak Fills The House, in September 2023. She travels all over the world performing and giving workshops. She lives with her husband and two cats in Durham, NC.
On Saturday, November 5, the Storytelling classes begin at 9:00 am with Paul Armstrong and “Storytelling 101 – An introduction to storytelling”. We will examine the questions, what is storytelling? How does storytelling differ from other entertainment and educational mediums? Why is storytelling important? What makes a storyteller?
LONA BARTLETT: “Same Story – Different Ages, Different Venues”: Making a living as a storyteller means going into different venues; schools, festivals, preschools, libraries, adult concerts, children’s concerts, perhaps there are 400 in the audience or just seven, and the differences go on. The same story may be told to all of these audiences with a few adjustments of vocabulary and presentation. What an adult audience understands is not what a first grader understands. Come learn to adjust, make some tweaks, and tell that story to multiple audiences.
MYLINDA BUTTERWORTH: “Vocal Pyrotechnics – It’s Not What You Say But How You Say IT!”. It is hard to sit and listen to a story when it is all spoken at the same level. Learn how to project, use inflection, and voices to bring your story to life. You will be involved in doing different kinds of vocal exercises to expand the use of your voice.
Paul Armstrong is a natural storyteller. Utilizing an active imagination and original spirit he translates, creates and relates verbal imagery that is captivating and transcendent.
At 10:00 am, classes continue with Via Goode: “Engaging the littlest ones — How to keep your audience from running amok!” Participants will receive (and practice!) tried and true tips and tricks to keeping the youngest audience members listening and participating during your storytelling performance. Bonus: How to get the teachers/adults on board, too!
BETH OHLSSON: “You don’t have to be Irish!” Have you ever wanted to tell stories about your family, but didn’t know where to begin? Did you dismiss that notion because you weren’t Irish? Storyteller Beth Ohlsson invites you to explore the craft of storytelling in this 90-minute workshop, regardless of your family history and heritage.
Via Goode shares stories with audiences of all ages, and specializes in sharing folktales which encourage lots of audience participation.
Beth Ohlsson is a storyteller who has created and transformed stories for 25 plus years at festivals, libraries, private events, correctional facilities, and with individual clients.
The Noon Family Concert of Stories features Paul Armstrong, Donna Washington, Hettie Farley, and Kim Weitkamp.
Hettie Farley comes from a long line of storytellers; teachers, preachers, lawyers and insurance agents – all making their living with their passion for a good “yarn”. She has been listening and telling a good tale for over 25 years.
At 2:00 and 3:00, StoryFest’s featured Storytellers, Kim Weitcamp and Donna Washington will take the stage.
Open mic begins at 4:00 pm and after a dinner break and the Evening Storytelling Concert which includes Donna Washington, Beth Ohlsson, Jessica Robinson and Kim Weitkamp runs from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm.
Jessica Robinson is the founder of Better Said Than Done, and is a professional storyteller, presenter, host, educator, workshop leader, and story coach.
The evening will end with a Story Slam which is a competitive art event in which storytellers perform before a live audience and a panel of judges. Story slams are often loud and lively, with audience participation, cheering and dramatic delivery.
Tickets may be purchased for the entire StoryFest event or daily events. To purchase tickets online, please visit www.historicmasonictheatre.com or call the Theatre Box Office at 540 862 5655.
 |
| Kim Weitkamp |
 |
| Donna Washington |
