Popular Storyteller Donna L. Washington will tell African-American folktales, personal narratives, and more as the featured teller at the Spring Storytelling Festival of South Mountain Community College, April 2 – 4.
The three-day festival is presented by the internationally known SMCC Storytelling Institute.
Washington - an award-winning storyteller, author and educator -- enthralls and delights audiences of all ages. Her amazing "vocal pyrotechnics," plastic face, and dynamic physicality make her stories come alive. She has performed at thousands of schools and libraries and numerous storytelling festivals throughout the country. She has been featured at storytelling festivals including the 2004 National Storytelling Festival, Illinois Storytelling Festival, Three Rivers Festival, and the St. Louis Storytelling Festival.
The avid storyteller was born an "Army brat" and traveled the world with her parents. Her father would sit at the dinner table and spin the wildest yarns imaginable, she says. He taught her Arthurian Legend and Greek Mythology by telling the stories in the first person. She thought he had actually been with Merlin and Oedipus and that "he was thousands of years old," she said.
Washington attended Northwestern University and was involved with numerous theatrical productions. It was at this time that storytelling re-emerged as an interest. She began to make storytelling a central part of her performance life.
In addition, she has written three books and has a fourth one on the way. Her first book is a primer on how to celebrate the festival of Kwanzaa.
The SMCC Storytelling Festival begins on April 2 ( Thurs ) with a Community Storytelling Festival in the Student Union Building of SMCC, 7050 S. 24th St., just north of Baseline Rd. This event consists of two storytelling sessions, one at 9:30 a.m. and the other at 11 a.m. Free of charge.
On April 3 ( Fri ), Enjoy Donna Washington's concert, "Troubling Trouble," featuring African-American folktales, personal narratives and original stories all relating to "trouble." Performance Hall, 7 p.m. Tickets: $10 at Showup.com and at the door. Free for MCCCD students with valid identification. Information: 602.243.8022.
On April 4 ( Sat ), Washington will give a workshop, "Storytelling in the Classroom and Beyond," from 9 a.m. - noon in the Student Union. Whether you've been telling for 10 minutes or 10 years, this workshop is for the storyteller in everyone. Washington will share tips on how to use your voice and body - and how to put yourself into the story and live in the character. Registration: $25 general ( reduced from $50 ), and $10 for students. Participants must pre-register by calling 602.243.8022 or by writing to LynnAnn Wojciechowicz at Lynnann.woj@smcmail.maricopa.edu. Payment accepted by mail or at the door.
To learn more about the Spring Storytelling Festival and the SMCC Storytelling Institute, go to www.smcstorytelling.com.
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