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to hear Dylan Pritchett speak on what makes a great storyteller on the Art of Storytelling with Brother Wolf.
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What Makes a Great Storyteller?
Bio Dylan Pritchett is a native of Williamsburg, Virginia. Since 1990, Mr. Pritchett has been a full-time storyteller, taking his African and African-American folk tales averaging over a hundred schools annually throughout the country. He enjoys an twelve-year, professional association with the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, where he performs and leads workshops for teachers on using storytelling in the classroom. Drawing on his experience in historical research, he has created two Read more »
Fill out the form and press play to hear Granddady Junebug aka Mitch Capel speak on poetry and storytelling on the Art of Storytelling with Brother Wolf.
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Grandaddy Junebug writes… Good storytelling is like poetry to your ears…good poetry is storytelling at it’s best. Storytelling and poetry go together like hand in glove. Ninety percent of the stories I tell are in rhyme so I coined the term “sto’etry” to describe my unique style of telling.
At the tender age of three, my paternal Grandmother read to me the story poem “A Cabin Tale” from the “Life And Works Of Paul Laurence Dunbar”. The genius of this work coupled with the joy in my Grandmother’s eyes and the passion in her delivery left an indelible impression in my heart. Since 1985 I have been performing the works of Dunbar, myself and others at festivals, schools and other venues throughout the United States.
Storytellers in general are unaware of the vast potential poetry can add not only to the repertoire of the teller but, also to the “flavor” of the performance. This is especially true with venues for children. A vast majority of young audiences are familiar with the “Rap” genre of music and are, therefore, more inclined to not only enjoy the performance with greater appreciation but also to digest more of the content of the morals and affirmations. “Sto’etry” is “Rap” without the music with each child supplying his or her own “beat” to the vocals, which, in turn actually seems to garner more satisfaction as one seems to “enjoy the book more than the movie”. Older audience members are also appreciative of this style because most, in their youth, were taught the values of poetry and the importance of memorizing and reciting for different groups within their respective communities.
Come with me as we explore the unlimited possibilities poetry can add not only to storytellers, but, to story listeners as well.
Most storytellers shy away from utilizing poetry in performance because of the need to “memorize” verbatim as well as the inability to “ad lib” during the show. It is true that poetry lends itself to a certain rhythm, however, once you’ve crawled into the skin of the poet your voice becomes the vehicle and your words become the steering wheel that guides the listeners (travelers) on the journey. A good storyteller wouldn’t have any problem “playing” to an audience or “ad libbing” while utilizing the “sto’etry” style of telling. Read more »
Fill out the form and press play to hear Charlotte Blake Alston speak on breaking barriers through storytelling on the Art of Storytelling with Brother Wolf.
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Charlotte Blake Alston
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Breaking Barriers using Storytelling
Charlotte Blake Alston writes… My introduction to literature and the planting of seeds that later bloomed into storytelling, came in the 1950’s. In the midst of a social, political and cultural climate that suggested that my family and community were devoid of intellect, history or culture, my father began reading to me the literary diamonds and jewels that came from within our culture. Somewhere around 6 years old, my father read out loud the words of James Weldon Johnson, Paul Laurence Dunbar, Gwendolyn Brooks and Langston Hughes. My father relished and touted the genius of these writers. He handed me the Complete Poems of Paul Laurence Dunbar, selected a poem for me to memorize and launched me, as a child, onto a spoken word path. Numerous church banquets, teas and special community events were staging grounds for “a reading by Miss Charlotte Blake”.
I’ll share some memories of that time and fast-forward to the place where those germinating seeds and my experience in an independent school crossed paths with storytelling and an Read more »
Saturday, October 25, 2008
For Immediate Release
Contact: Eric James Wolf
Phone: (937) 767-869 Speaking out in Defense of Scary Stories on the Art of Storytelling with Brother Wolf Show
Eric James Wolf, professional storyteller and host of the Art of Storytelling with Brother Wolf Show, is available for print, radio and television interviews to defend the use of the scary Halloween stories in the oral tradition with children.
Scary Halloween stories and ghost stories for children have taken the place of ritual trials of adulthood for teenagers, according to Mr. Wolf. They also serve as a means for adults to warn children away from dangerous places or behavior. Ghost stories and scary Halloween stories in the oral tradition can be age appropriate and satisfying for families. Currently on his the Art of Storytelling shows website he has five interviews available for easy download about the art of telling scary Halloween stories.
Eric Wolf does not condone or support horror or the graphic use of violence. “It is possible, however, by carefully working within the confines of scary Halloween stories and ghost stories for children, to leave our audience psychologically stronger and more emotionally capable of dealing with their fears or the shock of real world disasters,” Mr. Wolf says.
Fill out the form and press play to hear Michael D. McCarty speak on literacy and storytelling in the 21st Century this interview on the Art of Storytelling with Brother Wolf.
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Michael D. McCarty
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Storytelling and literacy in the 21st century.
Michael D. McCarty writes… That which does not evolve dies. The ability to change, grow and adapt is essential to the survival of any species, society or ideal. Storytelling has been around since the dawn of man, which says a lot for the viability of this essential art form. Throughout human history stories have been used to inform, inspire, educate and more. Storytelling is part of our DNA.
So what is the role of literacy and storytelling in the 21st century? How is it evolving? The National Storytelling Network’s Storytelling Interest Groups (SIGs) give an indication. Storytelling has Read more »
Fill out the form and press play to hear Donna Washington professional storyteller and featured ghost storyteller at the 2008 National Storytelling Festival. speaks about the Anatomy of a Ghost Story on the Art of Storytelling with Brother Wolf.
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Donna Washington
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The Anatomy of a Scary Story
Donna Washington Writes… Why do kids love ghost stories? I asked my eleven year old son this question because I have discovered that my academic and empirical observations about these sorts of subjects often bears little resemblance to the actual answer. He was good enough to inform me that he loves the fact that the characters are frightened and they have no idea what is about to happen next. He didn’t say word one about wanting to be scared. In other words, it’s the idea of the scary thing being someplace far away from you so that you can have a good scare in a safe place and then walk away and be all right. Just for the record, that’s what I thought. In other words, I agree with the expert.
Fill out the form and press play to hear Lopaka Kapanui as he speaks on memoirs of being a Honolulu Ghost Tour Guide on the Art of Storytelling with Brother Wolf.
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Purchase a HQ Mp3 File of Interview #065 Lopaka Kapanui
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Memoirs of being a Honolulu Ghost Tour Guide.
Most valued Family, Friends and Fans,
The Mysteries of Honolulu experience does involve the otherworldly and the supernatural. But it also explores the great mysterious essence in our own lives. It explores the wonder and privilege of being born and the mystery that has eluded man for centuries, where our final hours on this earthly plane are concerned.
More often than not, the road I travel in order to take people to that pinnacle is a rough and rugged one but at it’s conclusion is the spiritual Shangri-La that we all seek; the sustenance of the immortal ambrosia. The unique quality of this experience is that it is presented to all of you from the aspect of the Hawaiian culture while it also lends a keen insight to the belief systems of other local cultures as well.
Please join me and become a part of this great experience as we all, together, explore the Mysteries of Honolulu and this great mystery called life.
Mahalo Piha,
Lopaka Kekaikunanea’opele Kapanui
More about Lopaka Kapanui
Native Hawaiian, Lopaka Kapanui, has been described by many as one of Hawaii’s foremost storytellers. Following in the footsteps of his close friend and mentor, Obake Tales author, Glen Grant, he shares more than just Hawaiian ghost stories, he shares his knowledge of Oahu and Hawaii. Through his tours and activities, he weaves the tales of Old Hawaii with a passion and a mystery you won’t soon forget.
Myths of Hawaii and its gods and goddesses, legends of spirits and demigods, stories of mystery and hauntings… let Lopaka show you a glimpse of his world, where the “paranormal” becomes the norm.
African American, Beginning Storytelling Tips, Coaching Storytelling, Episode List, Parent Resources, Storytelling in Community | Brother Wolf | 
November 2, 2008 3:19 pm | 
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