Storytellers
This year's award-winning tellers:
Bil Lepp
Bil Lepp is a nationally renowned storyteller and five-time champion of the West Virginia Liars’ Contest. His outrageous, humorous tall-tales and witty stories have earned the appreciation of listeners of all ages and from all walks of life. Though a champion liar, his hilarious, insightful stories often contain morsels of truth which shed light on subjects such as politics, religion, relationships, and human nature. A storyteller, author, and recording artist, Lepp’s works have received recognition from The Parents’ Choice Foundation, The National Parenting Publications Assoc., Storytelling World, and the Public Library Association. Lepp has been featured numerous times at the National Storytelling Festival, and at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, and major storytelling and corporate events across the country.
“Bil Lepp – think Jeff Foxworthy with the comedic patience of Bill Cosby” --Indianapolis Business Journal
Sue Roseberry
Sue Roseberry brings characters to life from childhood memories, pages of books, and the history of slavery. Her performances mix inspirational stories and music to the delight of all ages. She has written more than 200 musical pieces and is a recorded Gospel singer. Sue has performed at the National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, Tennessee.
“Sue delivers powerful messages about dealing with life’s lessons through story. She is personable, entertaining and prolific in her ability to communicate, excite, and energize a group of individuals….”
~Dalia Benavides, Principal, DeZavala Elementary School, Midland, TX
Kevin Kling
Kevin Kling is best known for his popular commentaries on National Public Radio’s All Things Considered and his storytelling stage where he delivers hilarious and often tender stories. Kling’s autobiographical tales are as enchanting as they are true to life: hopping freight trains, getting hit by lightning, performing his banned play in Czechoslovakia, growing up in Minnesota, and eating things before knowing what they are. He has been awarded numerous arts grants and fellowships from National Endowment for the Arts, The McKnight Foundation, The Minnesota State Arts Board, The Bush Foundation, The Jerome Foundation, and others. Kevin travels the globe to storytelling festivals and has performed at the acclaimed National Storytelling Festival for several years.
“Kling prides himself on being a storyteller of the oral tradition, an art form as old as Homer and still popular enough to draw crowds at festivals. Invisible threads hold oral stories together -- a raised eyebrow, heightened pacing or slight intonations can change the rhythms, no matter how often they've been told.”--Minneapolis Star Tribune
The Storycrafters
Barry Marshall and Jeri Burns have been working together as The Storycrafters since 1991, and have been awarded the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award and Parents Choice Awards for outstanding storytelling. They perform and teach in schools, libraries, and other venues all over the U.S. and the British Isles. The Storycrafters believe in the time-tested wisdom of traditional stories, and strive to honor world cultures by telling old stories in respectful ways integrating indigenous musical instruments, songs or dance. Some of their most requested stories are modern renditions of the oldest stories.
“Top-notch family entertainment”—Publisher’s Weekly
“Captivating”—NBC’s Today Show