Hire a Storyteller
The Directory of Indiana Storytellers is compiled annually by Storytelling Arts of Indiana. These storytellers have chosen to advertise their talents on this website. We hope you will consider them the next time you are looking for a storyteller. Inclusion on this list is not intended as an endorsement or guarantee.
After reading through the directory, select several storytellers who seem to fit your needs. Contact the tellers by phone or e-mail and discuss the following: the date, the time, location of the performance, type of performance space, the audience size and age range, length of program, availability of a sound system, types of stories or theme of the program and budget. Ask the tellers for references and where you can see them perform, and then take the time to see them tell stories. There is no substitute for first-hand knowledge of a storyteller's style, technique and ability.
Charlotte Battin
PO Box 2281
Columbus, IN 47202
Ph: 812-342-6093
Fax: 812-342-0799
cabattin@sbcglobal.net
www.cabattin.com
Charlotte is an artist on the nationally acclaimed DVD series Storywatchers Club, performing her Cinderella Revisited and Freedom is My Home (stories about the Underground Railroad). She also tells stories through mime and Polynesian Dance. Charlotte performs nationally for audiences of all ages in libraries, schools, museums and other public arenas. She is an artist-in-schools for Columbus, Ohio, through the Ohio Alliance for Arts Education. DVD available of Freedom in My Home.
Celestine Bloomfield
4019 N. Drexel Avenue
Indianapolis, IN 46226
Ph: 317-549-3452
cbloom369@sbcglobal.net
Telling stories since King Kong was a baby monkey, Celestine tells stories to all ages and tailors workshops and performances for specific occasions. Enjoy multicultural folklore, scary stories, fairy tales, ghost stories and personal narratives from my Afro American perspective. Book me for your next program! Contact for references.
Doyne Carson
6828 Indian Bluff
Battle Ground, IN 47920
Ph: 765-567-2885
meola@centurytel.net
From laughter to inspiration, a wide variety of stories, traditional, original and participatory stories with sharp imagery for all ages. Will tailor program for specific subjects; has children and adult storytelling workshops also student "telling to writing" workshops. One hour Lincoln, J W Riley, Folktales=Values and Cleary-Carnegie programs for 3rd grade to adults. Dozens of Adult programs examples include Romance, Quilting, Back Home Again.
Cynthia Goodyear
2929 Boehning Avenue
Indianapolis, IN 46219
Ph: 317-898-1023
Cynthia.goodyear@att.net
Listen to Cynthia tell world folk tales, literary, original, scary, participation or other stories. Experience joy, laughter, wonder and delight. Twenty years telling to pre-school through adult audiences in schools, homes, churches, retirement communities and special events. Stories can always be selected to conform to your event theme. Recipient of the 2008 Frank Basile Emerging Stories Fellowship and member of the National Storytelling Network.
Stephanie Holman
Spencer, IN
Ph: 812-829-4770
libyq@yahoo.com
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_UZEpWAWQk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsqqDTXeT1A
For twenty-four years, Stephanie has had the joy of telling to children, families, teens and adults. She works full time as a Children's Librarian and this experience helps her to really know the ages of development, expectations for stories and to tailor her story choices to your event. As a professional storyteller she travels through central and southern Indiana telling at parks, schools, libraries, business meetings and festivals. While she can tell to the very young and adults, her favorite audience is middle and high school. Stephanie specializes in humorous tales, folktales, American tall tales, tales from Indiana and scary ghost stories. She likes to share "cut and tell", "draw and tell", puppet or felt stories and tales that call for audience participation.
Lou Ann Homan
504 S. West Street
Angola, IN 46703
252-921-0192
locketoftime@aol.com
www.louannhoman.com
Lou Ann Homan believes her art form takes her deep into the soul and belly of the Earth. As a full time artist, she can tell a tale, write deep into the night, call square dances in barns, take photos of dawn and dusk, direct your theatre, dream her dreams and help with yours. Lou Ann was born to tell stories. She will travel anywhere the stories need to be woven and told.
Mary Jo Huff
4333 Sandra Kay Ln.
Newburgh, IN 47630
Ph: 800-213-0527
Alt. Ph: 812-455-1558 CELL
Fax: 812-853-3024
maryjo@storytellin.com
www.storytellin.com
www.storytellin.com/blog
Find Mary Jo on Facebook
Mary Jo is a a storyteller and author. Her work has received a NAPPA gold, iParenting, Parent's Choice, Dov, Teacher's Choice, Kid's First awards, and "Storytelling for Kids!" was awarded CD of the year by Creative Child Magazine. Mary Jo travels nationally.
Publications:
Storytelling with Puppets, Props, and Playful Tales
Fabulous Fables by the Dozen
Peeper Power
Creative Storytelling- 2010
STORY PLAY: Building Language and Literacy One Story at a Time - 2011
CDs:
Storytelling for Kids!
Chicken Fun!
Peeper Pizzaazzz!
Gettin' Loose with Mother Goose and Some of Her Silly Friends **NEW
DVDs:
Fairy Tales, Fantasy, and Storytellin' Fun!
Storytelling: Tips, Techniques, & Tools
Liza Hyatt
7256 Glossbrenner Court
Indianapolis, IN 46236
Ph: 317-823-0370
lizah2@lizahyatt.com
www.lizahyatt.wordpress.com
www.lizahyatt.com
www.linkedin.com/in/lizahyatt
I tell stories about "ordinary" heroes, nature, creativity and community. Performances include world folk tales, historical stories and personal stories with audience participation, humor and imagination. Historical programs on John Muir and Booth Tarkington are available. I also provide fun, hands-on workshops on storytelling, including its therapeutic/spiritual value.
Valerie Marsh
10808 Braewick Drive
Carmel, IN 46033
Ph: 317-846-6875
valeriemarsh@juno.com
Author of 13 storytelling books, teacher, storyteller. Tales for all ages told in unique ways: "Paper-Cutting" (using folded paper and scissors), "Mystery-Fold" (telling with paper and markers), "Story Puzzles" (creating tangram figures), sign language, food puppets, heroes and heroines. Workshops for students, teachers. Stories involve audience participation.
Ken Oguss
Indianapolis, IN
Ph: 317-938-8743
tvoa@aol.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/kenoguss
Professional Storyteller and Public Speaker since 1978. B.A. Anthropology, M.A. Library and information Science. PROGRAMS custom designed for all ages and settings. WORKSHOPS for Teachers, Librarians, and Businesses. STORYTELLING COACH. DIGITAL RECORDINGS OF ORAL HISTORY. Go to my website for details. Listen to my storytelling Samples and Podcasts!
Sally Perkins
6373 S. Tacoma Ave
Indianapolis, IN 46227
Ph: 317-345-4117
sally.perkins@gmail.com
http://www.sallyperkinsstoryperformer.com
Sally Perkins is a performer of stories big & tall, short & long, grown-up & kid-friendly, historical, hysterical, & heart-wrenching. She has received several commissions and a fellowship through Storytelling Arts of Indiana and tells a range of folk tales, historical tales, ghost stories, and personal stories to audiences of all ages. Drawing from her years as a professor of public address, she also builds customized workshops to help you improve your speaking skills through storytelling.
Bob Sander
533 Ripple Road
Indianapolis, IN 46208
Ph: 317-255-7628
sandertales@aol.com
www.bobsander.com
Co-founder of Storytelling Arts of Indiana, full-time professional storyteller, lifelong Hoosier. Folktales from around the world, historical stories, personal and family stories. Participation stories and incorporating music are my specialties. Performances, workshops and residencies for all ages. Special Shows include Harrison-Tecumseh, Underground Railroad and the Stars of Indiana: Hoosier NASA Connections.
George Schricker
11644 Maple Road
Plymouth, IN 46563
Ph: 574-936-3896
gsheartmind0@gmail.com
www.heartmindproductions.com
George offers a one-day, two-day, or five-day, interactive Storytelling Workshop. Great for groups who wish to improve communication skills, bond, and have fun in the process.
Songs from the Hoosier Heart features original songs and stories about Indiana personages and places: Jean Stratton Porter, James Whitcomb Riley, Simon Pokagon, the Wabash River, and more.
Other original programs include: Never Hurt Anyone, a peace and positive values program, and Holding the Hoop in Our Hands, about humans nurturing nature. Programs can be tailored to all ages.
Sue Thompson
1751 Countryside Dr
Indianapolis, IN 46231
Ph: 317-216-0972
katzlib6@yahoo.com or stmsstoryteller@gmail.com
Find Sue on Facebook
Longtime children's librarian, Sue tells stories for children, adults, schools, libraries, museums, churches and festivals. She specializes in folktales, with an emphasis on Native American stories, tales of the American West, and Indiana-related yarns tailored to the audience. During November and December, Sue becomes Mrs. Clause to tell stories for children and adults at holiday programs and gatherings.
Juana Watson
2538 N. Talbott St
Indianapolis, IN 46205
Ph: 812-343-3725
juanawatson@sbcglobal.net
Find Juana on Facebook
Juana uses authentic artifacts and blends personal stories with Mexican Indigenous and Latin-American folktales and legends to motivate, inspire and bring understanding about other cultures through cross-cultural bilingual stories for special occasions. Through the Magic Village, she tells traditions and personal stories of the Aztec village where she was born situated in the Sierra Madre Mountains of central Mexico.
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