Award-winning Missouri poet and photographer Justin Hamm, with equal parts humor and wonder, performs poems soaked in Missouri creekwater and dried in her prairie winds. He draws on the people and landscapes of his Midwestern home to illustrate the region is not, as the saying goes, “flyover country,” but rather a place of compelling culture, conflict, drama, and beauty. Justin performs with an accessibility and warmth that is perfect for both seasoned poetry fans and those who have yet to make up their mind about the genre. Performances are often accompanied by Justin’s rustic Midwestern photography.
Microphone and occasionally a projector
Rhythms and Folklore of Africa: Storytelling and drums performance that celebrates the African culture. Ideal for schools, festivals, theaters, and community events. Adaptable to indoor and outdoor venues. Audience participation involves hand-picked audience members to dance and play African instruments. Immerse yourself in the rhythms of Africa. All ages.
PA system microphone with a boom mic stand
Joyce is a storyteller for everyone from pre-school through adult. Her stories range from participatory for the little ones to personal experiences for adults. She tells stories about Missouri history, Holiday tales, Ozark adventures, Ghost stories and more. Stories from folktales, fairytales, fables, myths and legends come to life with puppets and songs. Her stories bring people of many cultures together through her own work in schools, libraries, retirement centers and festivals and the storytelling festival she serves.
Joyce teaches workshops for adults and children. Beginning Storytelling, Telling your Personal Story, Storigami and more.
She is a storytelling coach for other storytellers and public speakers from all walks of life.
She is the Artistic Director for the KC Storytelling Celebration and the President of Missouri Storytelling Inc.
Joyce Slater is available for Virtual programs on Zoom, YouTube and Facebook and will adapt to other platforms. She will also travel.
Electrical outlet
Dr. Gladys Coggswell brings to the stage African American experiences in Missouri, plus traditional folk tales, one woman dramas, vocal music history, interactive storytelling and workshops. She is the recipient of numerous awards. This author of “Stories from the Heart-Missouri’s African American Heritage,” published by the University of Missouri Press is also available for writing workshops. Gladys received an Honorary Doctorate’s Degree from the University of Missouri St. Louis. She also does motivational speaking for all ages.
PA system
Selected as a Regional Storyteller at the St. Louis Storytelling Festival for the last 5 years, Flavia has storytelling programs that will delight, tickle the imagination and send you on a journey around the world. As an added bonus, Flavia engages students in creative thinking and entices them to create stories of their own. Using puppets, she entertains the younger crowd, but also holds the interest of the middle and high schoolers and has even completed a few humanities projects where she has told her stories in nursing homes. Flavia also has longer historical and biblical programs available, along with stories of her travels to Rwanda working with the Ba’Twa people collecting original folklore.
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Dianne Moran is an award-winning storyteller, living history performer and Chautauqua scholar. She presents a diverse repertoire of first-person portrayals, bringing to life remarkable women whose contributions have shaped both our nation and the wider world. Through engaging performances that combine dynamic characterizations with well researched historical facts, Dianne passionately shares her love of history with audiences. She presents her programs in historical dress and concludes with an audience Q&A. School programs include historical objects that broaden understanding of the time period. Mary Surratt and the Lincoln Assassination, Abigail Adams and the Revolution, and Ellis Island and the Journey to America are only a few of her programs. Call or email for a complete program list.
Microphone and a 6 ft. table
Awarded the National Circle of Excellence award for his outstanding work as a storyteller, this St. Louis native is one of the most sought after performers in the country today! He has also worked in Canada, Hong Kong, Ireland, England, China, Taiwan, Wales, Singapore, Austria and Africa. Bobby has won three Emmy Awards for his local CBS-TV show Gator Tales, and is the author of several award-winning children’s books. Eight of his ten CD’s have won the Parents Choice Gold Award. His programs highlight themes of cultural diversity, character education, literacy, living history, poetry & prose, music and conflict resolution. He is well known for his engaging comedy, lively animation and special sound effects. In 2018, Bobby was awarded the degree of Doctor of Humane Letters by The University of MO- St. Louis.
Microphone on a stand.