Storytelling

Heather Forest is an award-winning storyteller, author, and musician. A pioneer in the American storytelling renaissance, she has appeared in theaters, schools, literature conferences, and major storytelling festivals throughout the United States and abroad since 1975. A modern-day bard, her dynamic fusion of original music, poetry, and the sung and spoken word brings multicultural folktales to life in the imagination of her listeners. Her books and recordings have won numerous awards including the American Library Association’s Notable Recording Award and several Parents’ Choice Gold Awards. She is a recipient of the NSN ORACLE Circle of Excellence Award.

Her stories seamlessly and effortlessly move from the musical song to the spoken word and back again creating anew the form of the minstrel storyteller that is most uncommon in our day. – Open Hand Theater

Visit Heather's Website

Get your tickets here

Heather Forest is an award-winning storyteller, author, and musician. A pioneer in the American storytelling renaissance, she has appeared in theaters, schools, literature conferences, and major storytelling festivals throughout the United States and abroad since 1975. A modern-day bard, her dynamic fusion of original music, poetry, and the sung and spoken word brings multicultural folktales to life in the imagination of her listeners. Her books and recordings have won numerous awards including the American Library Association’s Notable Recording Award and several Parents’ Choice Gold Awards. She is a recipient of the NSN ORACLE Circle of Excellence Award.

Her stories seamlessly and effortlessly move from the musical song to the spoken word and back again creating anew the form of the minstrel storyteller that is most uncommon in our day. – Open Hand Theater

Visit Heather's Website

Get your tickets here

Heather Forest is an award-winning storyteller, author, and musician. A pioneer in the American storytelling renaissance, she has appeared in theaters, schools, literature conferences, and major storytelling festivals throughout the United States and abroad since 1975. A modern-day bard, her dynamic fusion of original music, poetry, and the sung and spoken word brings multicultural folktales to life in the imagination of her listeners. Her books and recordings have won numerous awards including the American Library Association’s Notable Recording Award and several Parents’ Choice Gold Awards. She is a recipient of the NSN ORACLE Circle of Excellence Award.

Her stories seamlessly and effortlessly move from the musical song to the spoken word and back again creating anew the form of the minstrel storyteller that is most uncommon in our day. – Open Hand Theater

Visit Heather's Website

Get your tickets here

Heather Forest is an award-winning storyteller, author, and musician. A pioneer in the American storytelling renaissance, she has appeared in theaters, schools, literature conferences, and major storytelling festivals throughout the United States and abroad since 1975. A modern-day bard, her dynamic fusion of original music, poetry, and the sung and spoken word brings multicultural folktales to life in the imagination of her listeners. Her books and recordings have won numerous awards including the American Library Association’s Notable Recording Award and several Parents’ Choice Gold Awards. She is a recipient of the NSN ORACLE Circle of Excellence Award.

Her stories seamlessly and effortlessly move from the musical song to the spoken word and back again creating anew the form of the minstrel storyteller that is most uncommon in our day. – Open Hand Theater

Visit Heather's Website

Get your tickets here

Heather Forest is an award-winning storyteller, author, and musician. A pioneer in the American storytelling renaissance, she has appeared in theaters, schools, literature conferences, and major storytelling festivals throughout the United States and abroad since 1975. A modern-day bard, her dynamic fusion of original music, poetry, and the sung and spoken word brings multicultural folktales to life in the imagination of her listeners. Her books and recordings have won numerous awards including the American Library Association’s Notable Recording Award and several Parents’ Choice Gold Awards. She is a recipient of the NSN ORACLE Circle of Excellence Award.

Her stories seamlessly and effortlessly move from the musical song to the spoken word and back again creating anew the form of the minstrel storyteller that is most uncommon in our day. – Open Hand Theater

Visit Heather's Website

Get your tickets here

With a manic, Silly Putty voice, hilarious, heart-filled stories, and amazing mouth noises, (arguably the greatest whistler in the world), Andy Offutt Irwin has been described as “The Marx Brothers meet Eudora Welty.” Irwin is a keynote speaker, theater director, songwriter, comedian, newspaper columnist, and Shakespearian actor. His appearances have taken him across the U.S., including the Library of Congress and Walt Disney World. He is the recipient of numerous awards, including the NSN ORACLE Circle of Excellence and a Special Congressional Recognition from Rep. John Lewis for “outstanding and invaluable service to the community.”

Irwin is charismatic and engaging, his voice full of expression, which he enhances with an array of impressions and self-generated sound effects. Listeners will find themselves instantly drawn in, grinning and laughing along. – AudioFile

Visit Andy's Website

Get your tickets here

With a manic, Silly Putty voice, hilarious, heart-filled stories, and amazing mouth noises, (arguably the greatest whistler in the world), Andy Offutt Irwin has been described as “The Marx Brothers meet Eudora Welty.” Irwin is a keynote speaker, theater director, songwriter, comedian, newspaper columnist, and Shakespearian actor. His appearances have taken him across the U.S., including the Library of Congress and Walt Disney World. He is the recipient of numerous awards, including the NSN ORACLE Circle of Excellence and a Special Congressional Recognition from Rep. John Lewis for “outstanding and invaluable service to the community.”

Irwin is charismatic and engaging, his voice full of expression, which he enhances with an array of impressions and self-generated sound effects. Listeners will find themselves instantly drawn in, grinning and laughing along. – AudioFile

Visit Andy's Website

Get your tickets here

With a manic, Silly Putty voice, hilarious, heart-filled stories, and amazing mouth noises, (arguably the greatest whistler in the world), Andy Offutt Irwin has been described as “The Marx Brothers meet Eudora Welty.” Irwin is a keynote speaker, theater director, songwriter, comedian, newspaper columnist, and Shakespearian actor. His appearances have taken him across the U.S., including the Library of Congress and Walt Disney World. He is the recipient of numerous awards, including the NSN ORACLE Circle of Excellence and a Special Congressional Recognition from Rep. John Lewis for “outstanding and invaluable service to the community.”

Irwin is charismatic and engaging, his voice full of expression, which he enhances with an array of impressions and self-generated sound effects. Listeners will find themselves instantly drawn in, grinning and laughing along. – AudioFile

Visit Andy's Website

Get your tickets here

With a manic, Silly Putty voice, hilarious, heart-filled stories, and amazing mouth noises, (arguably the greatest whistler in the world), Andy Offutt Irwin has been described as “The Marx Brothers meet Eudora Welty.” Irwin is a keynote speaker, theater director, songwriter, comedian, newspaper columnist, and Shakespearian actor. His appearances have taken him across the U.S., including the Library of Congress and Walt Disney World. He is the recipient of numerous awards, including the NSN ORACLE Circle of Excellence and a Special Congressional Recognition from Rep. John Lewis for “outstanding and invaluable service to the community.”

Irwin is charismatic and engaging, his voice full of expression, which he enhances with an array of impressions and self-generated sound effects. Listeners will find themselves instantly drawn in, grinning and laughing along. – AudioFile

Visit Andy's Website

Get your tickets here

With a manic, Silly Putty voice, hilarious, heart-filled stories, and amazing mouth noises, (arguably the greatest whistler in the world), Andy Offutt Irwin has been described as “The Marx Brothers meet Eudora Welty.” Irwin is a keynote speaker, theater director, songwriter, comedian, newspaper columnist, and Shakespearian actor. His appearances have taken him across the U.S., including the Library of Congress and Walt Disney World. He is the recipient of numerous awards, including the NSN ORACLE Circle of Excellence and a Special Congressional Recognition from Rep. John Lewis for “outstanding and invaluable service to the community.”

Irwin is charismatic and engaging, his voice full of expression, which he enhances with an array of impressions and self-generated sound effects. Listeners will find themselves instantly drawn in, grinning and laughing along. – AudioFile

Visit Andy's Website

Get your tickets here

Proud daughter of immigrant parents, Jasmin Cardenas is an award-winning Colombian-American storyteller, actress, educator, and arts activist who explores the uncomfortable truths of our complicated humanity. Cardenas regularly tours her Spanish bilingual program, Cuentos From The Americas, which highlights lesser known folktales and legends to libraries, schools, and festivals around the country. Recognized for her work using theater to uplift workers’ voices, in 2020 Jasmin was awarded an international LAB Fellowship at the Laboratory for Global Performance and Politics at Georgetown University. A member of Dramatists Guild of America, Cardenas is the adapter of a children’s book, Maybe Something Beautiful, as a bilingual puppet film and live performance with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Together with working Chicagoans she developed WorkersTEATRO to harness the power of art in action and move the dial for workers rights. Also an actress, Jasmin has performed on numerous stages including Steppenwolf, Goodman, and Lifeline Theatre and her television credits include appearances on Chicago Fire (NBC), The CHI (Showtime), and Betrayal (ABC). But her favorite role in life is Mamá to two beautiful kids. “There are brilliant passages where Cardenas enthralls…. She is speaking the dialogue clearly in English but it feels like she is speaking in tongues.” Chicago Theater Beat

There are brilliant passages where Cardenas enthralls…. she is speaking the dialogue clearly in English but it feels like she is speaking in tongues. – Chicago Theater Beat

Visit Jasmin's Website

Get your tickets here

Proud daughter of immigrant parents, Jasmin Cardenas is an award-winning Colombian-American storyteller, actress, educator, and arts activist who explores the uncomfortable truths of our complicated humanity. Cardenas regularly tours her Spanish bilingual program, Cuentos From The Americas, which highlights lesser known folktales and legends to libraries, schools, and festivals around the country. Recognized for her work using theater to uplift workers’ voices, in 2020 Jasmin was awarded an international LAB Fellowship at the Laboratory for Global Performance and Politics at Georgetown University. A member of Dramatists Guild of America, Cardenas is the adapter of a children’s book, Maybe Something Beautiful, as a bilingual puppet film and live performance with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Together with working Chicagoans she developed WorkersTEATRO to harness the power of art in action and move the dial for workers rights. Also an actress, Jasmin has performed on numerous stages including Steppenwolf, Goodman, and Lifeline Theatre and her television credits include appearances on Chicago Fire (NBC), The CHI (Showtime), and Betrayal (ABC). But her favorite role in life is Mamá to two beautiful kids. “There are brilliant passages where Cardenas enthralls…. She is speaking the dialogue clearly in English but it feels like she is speaking in tongues.” Chicago Theater Beat

There are brilliant passages where Cardenas enthralls…. she is speaking the dialogue clearly in English but it feels like she is speaking in tongues. – Chicago Theater Beat

Visit Jasmin's Website

Get your tickets here

Proud daughter of immigrant parents, Jasmin Cardenas is an award-winning Colombian-American storyteller, actress, educator, and arts activist who explores the uncomfortable truths of our complicated humanity. Cardenas regularly tours her Spanish bilingual program, Cuentos From The Americas, which highlights lesser known folktales and legends to libraries, schools, and festivals around the country. Recognized for her work using theater to uplift workers’ voices, in 2020 Jasmin was awarded an international LAB Fellowship at the Laboratory for Global Performance and Politics at Georgetown University. A member of Dramatists Guild of America, Cardenas is the adapter of a children’s book, Maybe Something Beautiful, as a bilingual puppet film and live performance with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Together with working Chicagoans she developed WorkersTEATRO to harness the power of art in action and move the dial for workers rights. Also an actress, Jasmin has performed on numerous stages including Steppenwolf, Goodman, and Lifeline Theatre and her television credits include appearances on Chicago Fire (NBC), The CHI (Showtime), and Betrayal (ABC). But her favorite role in life is Mamá to two beautiful kids. “There are brilliant passages where Cardenas enthralls…. She is speaking the dialogue clearly in English but it feels like she is speaking in tongues.” Chicago Theater Beat

There are brilliant passages where Cardenas enthralls…. she is speaking the dialogue clearly in English but it feels like she is speaking in tongues. – Chicago Theater Beat

Visit Jasmin's Website

Get your tickets here

Proud daughter of immigrant parents, Jasmin Cardenas is an award-winning Colombian-American storyteller, actress, educator, and arts activist who explores the uncomfortable truths of our complicated humanity. Cardenas regularly tours her Spanish bilingual program, Cuentos From The Americas, which highlights lesser known folktales and legends to libraries, schools, and festivals around the country. Recognized for her work using theater to uplift workers’ voices, in 2020 Jasmin was awarded an international LAB Fellowship at the Laboratory for Global Performance and Politics at Georgetown University. A member of Dramatists Guild of America, Cardenas is the adapter of a children’s book, Maybe Something Beautiful, as a bilingual puppet film and live performance with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Together with working Chicagoans she developed WorkersTEATRO to harness the power of art in action and move the dial for workers rights. Also an actress, Jasmin has performed on numerous stages including Steppenwolf, Goodman, and Lifeline Theatre and her television credits include appearances on Chicago Fire (NBC), The CHI (Showtime), and Betrayal (ABC). But her favorite role in life is Mamá to two beautiful kids. “There are brilliant passages where Cardenas enthralls…. She is speaking the dialogue clearly in English but it feels like she is speaking in tongues.” Chicago Theater Beat

There are brilliant passages where Cardenas enthralls…. she is speaking the dialogue clearly in English but it feels like she is speaking in tongues. – Chicago Theater Beat

Visit Jasmin's Website

Get your tickets here

Proud daughter of immigrant parents, Jasmin Cardenas is an award-winning Colombian-American storyteller, actress, educator, and arts activist who explores the uncomfortable truths of our complicated humanity. Cardenas regularly tours her Spanish bilingual program, Cuentos From The Americas, which highlights lesser known folktales and legends to libraries, schools, and festivals around the country. Recognized for her work using theater to uplift workers’ voices, in 2020 Jasmin was awarded an international LAB Fellowship at the Laboratory for Global Performance and Politics at Georgetown University. A member of Dramatists Guild of America, Cardenas is the adapter of a children’s book, Maybe Something Beautiful, as a bilingual puppet film and live performance with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Together with working Chicagoans she developed WorkersTEATRO to harness the power of art in action and move the dial for workers rights. Also an actress, Jasmin has performed on numerous stages including Steppenwolf, Goodman, and Lifeline Theatre and her television credits include appearances on Chicago Fire (NBC), The CHI (Showtime), and Betrayal (ABC). But her favorite role in life is Mamá to two beautiful kids. “There are brilliant passages where Cardenas enthralls…. She is speaking the dialogue clearly in English but it feels like she is speaking in tongues.” Chicago Theater Beat

There are brilliant passages where Cardenas enthralls…. she is speaking the dialogue clearly in English but it feels like she is speaking in tongues. – Chicago Theater Beat

Visit Jasmin's Website

Get your tickets here

Paul Strickland is a professional storyteller and theater artist who lives in Kentucky. His hilarious and heartfelt tall tales have won “Best of Fest” numerous times at fringe festivals in the U.S. and Canada. Strickland has performed in theaters, festivals, comedy clubs, and more – including two prisons, where he was not an inmate at the time. Selections from his show, Levels of Difficulty, can be heard on SiriusXM radio.

An hour spent with master storyteller Paul Strickland is an hour well spent, and one you should not miss. – Cincinnati Enquirer

Visit Paul's Website]

Get your tickets here

Paul Strickland is a professional storyteller and theater artist who lives in Kentucky. His hilarious and heartfelt tall tales have won “Best of Fest” numerous times at fringe festivals in the U.S. and Canada. Strickland has performed in theaters, festivals, comedy clubs, and more – including two prisons, where he was not an inmate at the time. Selections from his show, Levels of Difficulty, can be heard on SiriusXM radio.

An hour spent with master storyteller Paul Strickland is an hour well spent, and one you should not miss. – Cincinnati Enquirer

Visit Paul's Website]

Get your tickets here

Paul Strickland is a professional storyteller and theater artist who lives in Kentucky. His hilarious and heartfelt tall tales have won “Best of Fest” numerous times at fringe festivals in the U.S. and Canada. Strickland has performed in theaters, festivals, comedy clubs, and more – including two prisons, where he was not an inmate at the time. Selections from his show, Levels of Difficulty, can be heard on SiriusXM radio.

An hour spent with master storyteller Paul Strickland is an hour well spent, and one you should not miss. – Cincinnati Enquirer

Visit Paul's Website]

Get your tickets here

Paul Strickland is a professional storyteller and theater artist who lives in Kentucky. His hilarious and heartfelt tall tales have won “Best of Fest” numerous times at fringe festivals in the U.S. and Canada. Strickland has performed in theaters, festivals, comedy clubs, and more – including two prisons, where he was not an inmate at the time. Selections from his show, Levels of Difficulty, can be heard on SiriusXM radio.

An hour spent with master storyteller Paul Strickland is an hour well spent, and one you should not miss. – Cincinnati Enquirer

Visit Paul's Website]

Get your tickets here