Judith Black

www.storiesalive.com

Judith returned in 2007, for the eighth time, to be featured at National Storytelling Festival, and has served as Teller-in Residence at the International Storytelling Center in Jonesboro TN. In 2001 she was inducted into the National Storytelling Network's (largest storytelling membership organization in the world) Circle of Excellence "For exceptional commitment and exemplary contribution to the art of storytelling."

Judith is the creator of That Fading Scent: A Seditious Comedy About Women and Aging, a show the Orlando Sentinel called a ‘thinking woman’s version of Menopause: the Musical’. Featured at too many festivals to name, she is a regular at Jonesboro and Timpanogos and has been featured at the Montreal Comedy Festival and Three Apples Storytelling Festival.  We are happy to have Judith this year and to add her to our list of outstanding storytellers.

Bill Harley

www.billharley.com

Trying to describe Bill is often as funny as attending one of his concerts. One person will call him a singer/songwriter, another a storyteller. People know Bill from his books, his theatrical plays, his concerts, his workshops - or maybe even as a keynote speaker at a conference. With twenty-five recordings of songs and stories and six children's books to his credit, Bill's humorous yet meaningful work chronicles the lives of children at school and at home.

Bill tours nationally as a solo artist as well as with his band, the "Troublemakers"or with his pianist/co-conspirator, Keith Munslow. Armed with his guitar, songs, stories and slightly off center mind, Bill is the kind of performer you just have to see in person!

As a storyteller, Bill has appeared numerous times at the prestigious National Storytelling Festival, and at dozens of other regional festivals from California to Florida. You'll find Bill's stories and off-beat observations in numerous anthologies and magazines. He also shows up on your car radio as a regular commentator for National Public Radio's "All Things Considered". His commentaries are filled with his trademark humor and wisdom on topics ranging from T-ball game strategy to first jobs to dead groundhogs. As Bill says "Anything is material to a desperate man."

Kevin Kling

www.kevinkling.com

Humorist and playwright, Kevin Kling describes his zodiac sign as "Minnesota with Iowa rising," and his accent and parlance could be right off the set of the movie "Fargo." While many of his reference points are specific to the upper Midwest, his childhood stories and topical observations touch upon universal human experiences, with plenty of absurdity and irony in the mix. He is a talented writer with the ability to capture the complexities of a moment in just a few words. As he explains it "I have a small command of the English language so I try to make each word a hero."

While his writing and performing continue unabated, he has probably become best known for his regular story-telling contributions to NPR’s "All Things Considered." The National Endowment for the Arts, The McKnight Foundation, The Minnesota State Arts Board, The Bush Foundation, The Jerome Foundation and others have all recognized Kevin’s artistry.

Syd Lieberman

www.sydlieberman.com

Syd is an internationally acclaimed storyteller, an author, and an award-winning teacher. Many of his best-loved stories deal with growing up and raising a family in Chicago. He is also known for his original historical pieces and his signature versions of Jewish and literary tales. Syd's work has garnered awards from ALA, Parent's Choice, and Storytelling World. He has taught storytelling at the Kennedy Center and Disney World, and received commissions from NASA; the Smithsonian Institution; Johnstown, Pennsylvania; Historic Philadelphia; and the Van Andel Museum Center.

Syd is known for his varied repertoire. Syd is one of the country's leading tellers of Jewish tales. He starred with Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul, and Mary fame in the Chicago presentation of Do-It-Yourself Chanukah.

Queen Nur

www.angelfire.com/nj4/queennur/profile.htm

“Queen Nur” presents extensively to thousands at schools, libraries, museums, churches, festivals, hospitals, corporate facilities, in-services, family reunions, conferences, elder centers, retreats and special events each year.  An accomplished storyteller, she has been featured at the Jonesborough National Storytelling Festival, the Kennedy Center and dozens of festivals and events throughout the country. 

Kathryn Windham

There is no other place where Southern culture is more evident than in the state of Alabama.  Well known for being home to a rich musical and social history, it has also become home to Kathryn Windham, a master storyteller, author of over 20 books, playwright, photographer, and popular public television and radio personality.  She is best known for her ghost tales and has published several of them.  Her honesty and simple delivery amuses audiences no matter what kind of story she is telling.  A true Southern treasure, she proudly claims to not have anything in her home that was invented after 1960!

Click here for more information on Kathryn Windham.