Members as of December 2007
additions/corrections made monthly as needed
In order to help combat email spam, we have replaced the @ symbol in email addresses with [at]. Please replace the @ symbol when sending an email.
Fred Berchtold
08 Lakeview; Mundelein IL 60060-3528
Phone: 847-566-0808
Email: fredb[at]mc.net
Fred is president of S.M.I.L.E. (Sharing Arts Ministries Is Life Enriching) Performing Arts Ministries. Like storytellers and bards of old, Fred shares stories of the divine, the human, and the world in which we live; of joy and sadness, laughter and tears, faith and folly.
Amy Beth
303 Hoy Ave.; Woodstock IL 60098
Phone: 815-338-4245
Email: amybethsings[at]yahoo.com
Website: www.storytelling.org/AmyBeth
Amy Beth's stories from her personal experiences include gentle humor and fun. She is an engaging performer, gently inviting audiences into her stories. Amy shares cultural information through her pieces and invites people in to experience the story with a warm and engaging style. She tells humorous personal and family stories, gentle tales and stories of peace and the earth. Amy is a multi-instrumentalist, playing banjo, autoharp, guitar, rhythm instruments and more. With her clear, sensitive voice, Amy brings tenderness, fun and lovingness to her performances and her audiences.
Sue Black
2433 Waupaca Ct.; Naperville IL 60564
Phone: 630-983-1329
Email: sbbstories[at]aol.com
Website: www.storytelling.org/Black
Sue charms audiences with her warmth and creativity, telling original and traditional stories from around the world. She combines her passion for storytelling with her delight in teaching students and their teachers to tell stories. It's an awesome combination! Her work includes taking students from page to stage as the sponsor of student storytelling clubs. A writer and "cyber coach", Sue helps other writers craft their written work for the stage. Listeners of all ages are captivated by Sue's enthusiastic storytelling. Don't be surprised if you want to move, chant, sing, think, imagine and dream.
Camille Born
1404 S. Buckthorn Ln.; Mahomet IL 61853
Phone: 217-586-2675
Email: cbwstories[at]mchsi.com
Website: www.couldbeworsestories.com
Camille enjoys telling multicultural tales to all ages. Also does special presentations about the Underground Railroad, WWII, and other US history eras suitable for middle school students; living history presentation of Juliette Low, Girl Scouts founder, for all ages; personal stories for adults.
Lynne Clayton
222 Towanda; Park Forest IL 60466
Phone: 708-534-3075
Evening: 708-503-1332
Email: storywizard13[at]aol.com
Website: www.storytelling.org/Clayton
With both song and story, Lynne brings a freshness and vitality to her tales of wonder and fantasy. Her programs are suitable for adults and children of all ages.
Leah R. Danoff
5209 Keene Ln.; Hanover Park IL 60133
Phone: 630-289-6228
Email: leahtrek[at]sbcglobal.net
Website: www.leahtrek.com
Strange things happen to Leah - they always do. Hear a whirling kaleidoscope of tales of laughter and terror. Hear the Grumpy Frog, Do It Yourself Werewolf story and The Time Machine stories, and much more. These stories enchant children of all ages from Kindergarten to senior citizens.
Jim and Karen Decker
227 S. 2nd Ave.; Libertyville IL 60048
Phone: 847-367-0182
Email: doubledeckers8[at]sbcglobal.net
Website: www.storytelling.org/DoubleDeckers
Jim and Karen, the Double Deckers are a husband-wife team. They are known for their boisterous bantering stories as well as their gentle touching tales. They deliver twice the fun and two times the magic in their smooth integrated style of telling in tandem.
Donna Dettman
1032 Towne Ave.; Batavia IL 60510
Phone: 630-879-6891
Email: donnatell[at]comcast.net
Website: www.storytelling.org/Dettman
Donna Dettman shines new light on old tales. Heroes and heroines outwit their foes with pluck, ingenuity, and sometimes a little bit of magic. Stories from around the globe are filled with insight and fresh with today's perspective. Zany folksongs and haunting ballads add a touch of the old-time troubadour. Her interactive programs are full of chants and rhymes that will have everyone singing along (yes, even middle-school students!).
David Dodge
1005 E. Irving Park Rd.; Itasca IL 60143
Phone: 847-250-5029
Evening: 630-776-3696
Email: luvmews[at]comcast.net
Ingrid Forsberg Kenron
5724 N. St. Louis; Chicago IL 60659
Phone: 773-583-5285
Email: ingridf23[at]hotmail.com
Beverly Frett
1341 Winchester Ct.; Naperville IL 60563
Phone: 630-428-6067
Evening: 630-420-8039
Email: beverly_frett[at]ipsd.org
Website: http://clow.ipsd.org/lmc_storytellers.html
Beverly Frett is in her 18th year as the library media center director of the Robert Clow Elementary School in Naperville, IL. Bev‚s goal of making student storytelling a viable part of the Clow School culture has become a reality as a result of an extremely rewarding University of Illinois graduate class in storytelling, combined with a close personal and professional relationship with Sue Black, Storyteller in Residence at Clow School. Her strengths are those of story listening and coaching, bringing storytelling to the web, and serving as facilitator and advocate of the Clow Student Storytelling Club and the Gregory Middle School Tattle Tales.
Debi Gajewski
6550 Ebinger Dr.; Niles IL 60714
Phone: 847-647-0183
Evening: 773-895-5617
Email: thestoryspinners[at]hotmail.com
Website: www.storytelling.org/Gajewski
Storyteller in residence at the Grove, a National Historic Landmark in Glenview, Illinois. Producer of the storytelling festival at the Grove. Also runs storytelling workshops and performs special programs at the Grove.
Stan Gajewski
6550 Ebinger Dr.; Niles IL 60714
Phone: 847-647-0183
Evening: 773-895-5617
Email: thestoryspinners[at]hotmail.com
Website: www.storytelling.org/Gajewski
Educator and storyteller in residence at DeDiego Community Academy, a Chicago Public School. Also runs storytelling workshops at DeDiego.
Suzie Garfield
PO Box 303; Wilmette IL 60091
Phone: 847-830-9284
Evening: 847-831-4523
Email: suzie_garfield[at]ameritech.net
Jeli Benjamin Giles
2340 186th St., #10; Lansing IL 60438
Phone: 708-203-7277
Evening: 708-418-8349
Email: legalstory[at]yahoo.com
Sharon Giles
2340 186th St., #10; Lansing IL 60438
Phone: 708-870-6719
Email: divasetc[at]yahoo.com
Sharon, an International Award-winning speaker, brings her many years as a professional floral designer to the stories she tells. Her presentations are as fresh and vibrant as the bouquest she creates. Together with wit, wisdom, and a passion for people, her presentations are for every age and every occasion.
Dolores Gordon
9215 S. Cottage Grove Ave.; Chicago IL 60619
Phone: 312-222-5302
Linda Gorham
PO Box 6644; Aurora IL 60598-06440
Phone: 630-851-9415
Email: Lgorham2[at]aol.com
Website: www.LindaGorham.com
Linda's stories are fun, full of energy, and often include the audience. She tells folktales, fairy tales, inspirational stories, fables, "RESPECT" stories, hero stories, and, of course spooky stories. She also has a series of programs that depict the stories of heroes such as Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, Ruby Bridges and The Little Rock Nine.
Marcia Gutiérrez
9N901 Beckman Tr.; Elgin IL 60123
Phone: 847-841-7749
Email: quiltedtales[at]aol.com
Website: www.storytelling.org/Gutierrez
Bilingual storyteller Marcia Gutiérrez combines her love for storyteling and her knowledge of folklore, character development, and intercultural experinces to create folktales, stories and personal tales that are full of wisdom, courage, life and just good old fashion fun for all ages.
Judith Heineman
5020 S. Lake Shore Dr. #1214-16; Chicago IL 60615
Phone: 773-288-7217
Email: JuHeStories[at]aol.com
Website: www.storytelling.org/Heineman
Judith Heineman is an Illinois Arts Council Roster Artist, producer of Tellabration in Chicago, founder of the Chicago Storytelling Guild and the Los Angeles Women's Theatre Festival, a workshop leader for an adult storytelling intensive at the University of Chicago's Graham School and a co-chair of the National Storytelling 2003 Conference. Judith's "beautiful use of her voice" draws audiences into her lively, humorous and interactive world tales. Several museums have commissioned original programs including Mesopotamian epics and Egyptian tales for the Oriental Institute's "Treasures from the Royal Tombs of Ur," "A Caravan of Tales: The Wonders of Ramadan" for the Museum of Science and Industry, to the personal history of a denied Jewish Olympic athlete in the "1936 Berlin, Nazi Olympics," for The Peace Museum. She has appeared at the Illinois Storytelling Festival, Printer's Row Book Fair, colleges, schools, libraries, on radio, TV, and in theatres in NY and LA.
George Hennenfent
360 S. Main; Roseville IL 61473
Phone: 309-426-2176
Evening: 309-426-2607
Tells original stories. Scary stories. Fun stories. Family stories. After dinner stories. Suitable for older children and adults.
Beth Horner
P.O. Box 540; Wilmette IL 60091
Phone: 888-443-3816
Email: BethHorner[at]earthlink.net
Website: www.bethhorner.com
Nationally acclaimed storyteller whose vivacious, traditional storytelling style enhanced with music creates a performance that critics have called "Dynamite!" Stories of raucous laughter and tender courage. Has performed for National Geographic Society, American Library Assoc., and National Storytelling Festival. 5 recordings.
Phyllis Hostmeyer
375 N. 8th St.; Breese IL 62230
Phone: 618-972-3380
Evening: 618-526-4894
Email: phostmeyer[at]charter.net
Website: phylsquill.com
Patricia Hruby Powell
2103 Georgetown Cr.; Champaign IL 61821
Phone: 217-366-3218
Email: phpowell[at]talesforallages.com
Website: www.talesforallages.com
"An Evening with Jane Austen, Emily Bronte & Emily Dickinson," "Mothers, Daughters, Sisters, Grandmothers," "Stories Circle the World" (folktales). Picture books Frog Brings Rain, Blossom Tales and Zinnia: How the Corn Was Saved. Award-winning author, used to be a dancer who spoke in her dances, now she tells stories accented by dance and percussion instruments. Illinois Arts Council Arts-in-Education and Artstour funding available.
Joe Jekot
5431 N. East River Rd.; Chicago IL 60656
Phone: 847-894-3336
Email: jjekot[at]loy.org
Website: www.storytelling.org/Jekot
For fifteen years, Joe Jekot has been fully engaged in the craft of loving, learning and healing all that is human in the lives of young people and adults. In his vocation as a teacher, youth minister, addictions counselor, and certified parent effectiveness trainer, Joe has discovered the profound educational and healing power of storytelling.
Carol Johnson
709 W. South Forest Trail; Peoria IL 61615
Phone: 309-691-0508
Email: storytellercc[at]aol.com
From Civil War heroines to multicultural stories, Carol unlocks the magic of imagination for all ages as she catches humans being human with thoughtful to rib-tickling stories.
Doris Kampfe
2384 Arnold Ave; Rockford IL 61108
Phone: 815-226-4326
Email: doriskampfe[at]aol.com
Storyteller/solo folk artist, Iowa Arts Council, since 1986. Very Special Arts since 1992. Script writer and storyteller for KWWL Blackhawk Broadcasting, Pen Women, Inc., has received awards in fiction and poetry. Delta Steamboat Cruise Line "Teller" since 1990. Drama, dances, sings, improvisation. Workshops for Special People. American Folklore. Who's Who of American Women 1999-2000. Who's Who in America 2002-2004. Who's Who In the World 2003, and Great Minds of the 21st Century, American Bio. Institute.
Mark Kater
5024 Elm; Skokie IL 60077
Phone: 847-675-2369
Evening: 847-530-6361
Email: markkater[at]mac.com
Website: www.storytelling.org/kater or www.harmonyyogacenter.com
Listen closely my friends, you're about to hear,
Deliciously good tales that dance in your ears.
Mark's stories delight. You'll smile, you'll cheer.
His tales you'll remember for years and years.
Carol Kerman
1321 Hillside Rd.; Northbrook IL 60062
Phone: 847-272-5405
Email: carolkerman[at]juno.com
Carol likes to tell folk and personal tales that express truth dressed in humor.
Marilyn Kinsella
645 Pleasant Ridge; Fairview Heights IL 62208
Phone: 618-397-1377
Email: markinsella19[at]hotmail.com
Website: www.marilynkinsella.org
Taleypo the Storyteller tells from nursery schools to nursing home. She tells with a lively style and creative word imaging. She travels where stories lead her. She has been telling since 1981. For a listing of programs plus the schools, festivals, and special events featuring Taleypo, please visit her web page.
John Kirk
19277 North 1500 East Rd.; Hudson IL 61748
Phone: 309-452-4000
Email: jwkirk2555[at]aol.com
John Kirk is an actor, playwright, and theatre director who has recently taken up storytelling. His specialties are personal stories and historical tales using the persona of "Ol' Ike," because "I kin remember" great or interesting events of the past. Available for groups or school events.
Mary Kroening
5S 391 Allister; Naperville IL 60563
Phone: 630-420-2611
Email: catchingdreams[at]wowway.com
Greg Leifel
400 Golfview Dr.; Crystal Lake IL 60014
Phone: 815-479-9302
Email: gleifel[at]aol.com
Website: www.thrivingmoss.com
Gregory Leifel is an author who tells original stories for mature audiences. His stories range from the humorous, obsessive side of human nature to inspirational experimentation with life.
Lainie Levin
1421 Sycamore Ln.; Northbrook IL 60062
Phone: 847-636-8971
Evening: 847-509-1463
Email: lainlev[at]yahoo.com
Website: www.storytelling.org/Levin
Lainie Levin's been a storyteller since the ripe old age of ten. Audiences enjoy her energetic performance of stories and music from America to the world beyond. Her whimsical characterizations and poignant lessons will "tickle the funny bone and touch the heart."
Michael Lockett
1401 Heritage Road, West; Normal IL 61761
Phone: 309-454-2300
Email: mike[at]mikelockett.com
Website: www.mikelockett.com
Dr. Mike Lockett is a teller of traditional tales. He has given more than 1200 programs across the USA and travels as "The Normal Storyteller." Dr. Lockett is a regular presenter for schools, churches and libraries, and a keynote speaker for organizations. He is known for his audience participation tales and his use of dialects in stories.
Jeanné Lohfink
612 W. Keith Avenue; Waukegan IL 60085
Phone: 847-596-5880
Evening: 847-662-7703
Email: jlohfink[at]bpd3.lake.k12.il.us
Darlene Neumann
39440 Castleford Ln.; Beach Park IL 60083
Phone: 847-831-9152
Evening: 847-775-0095
Email: ldneu[at]tds.net
Website: www.storytelling.org/Neumann
Larry Neumann
39440 Castleford Ln.; Beach Park IL 60083
Phone: 708-246-3210
Evening: 847-775-0095
Email: ldneu[at]tds.net
Donna Nowak
7449 Washington St. #201; Forest Park IL 60130
Phone: 708-366-9327
Email: denowak[at]netzero.net
I perform song based shows of different kinds that include stories and/or histories, performer's or the decade. Shows: folk (play dulcimer, guitar & piano); country (electronic & guitar); Big Band, Broadway, 50's, 60's, (electronic).
Jewel Otten
4649 N. Drake Ave. #2N; Chicago IL 60625
Phone: 773-583-2359
Email: jwindycity[at]aol.com
Experienced in telling personal life stories (circa the early 40s, the war years), and also stories from folk literature for audiences of all ages.
Rebecca Potter
529 Edgebrook Dr.; Shorewood IL 60404
Phone: 815-741-0335
Email: rspotter[at]ix.netcom.com
Amanda Raklovits
938 Waterview Way, Apt. C; Champaign IL 61822
Phone: 217-355-0018
Email: a.raklovits[at]gmail.com
Stephanie Rhein
27 Estates View Dr.; Fairview Heights IL 62208
Phone: 618-397-2535
Email: starhein[at]peaknet.net
Eddie Richter
2444 E. Bonnie Brook Ln.; Waukegan IL 60087
Phone: 847-662-7620
Email: gerichter[at]aol.com
Eddie is a native son of Waukegan, IL, with Jack Benny, Ray Bradbury, and Jerry Orbach. This area breeds entertainers and storytellers. Eddie's stories stretch your imagination, he takes his adult audiences on a roller coaster ride filled with laughter and inspiration, leaves his children's audiences bright eyed, asking for more.
Marie Ringenberg
3S 058 Sequoia Dr.; Glen Ellyn IL 60137
Phone: 630-858-6003
Email: mtringen[at]juno.com
Website: www.storytelling.org/Ringenberg
Marie's creativity, energy and wonderful sense of playfulness draw her audience into the magical realm of the imagination. Each performance is designed to entertain and educate her listeners with her humorous, participatory style with stories geared to unlock the imagination and celebrate the love of story!
Ben Rosenfield
1236 Blakely St.; Woodstock IL 60098
Phone: 815-337-0126
Email: ben[at]thefrogguy.com
Website: www.thefrogguy.com
Known throughout the Midwest as "The Frog Guy," Ben's stories come from his childhood growing up in the Appalachian foothills, as well as stories of his own creation. A veteran educator with over 30 years in elementary and middle schools, both as a teacher and principal, Ben's stories celebrate life as well as educate. He helped write and clarify the Language Arts Standards for Excellence in Illinois schools. "Storytelling enhances imagination, creativity, literacy and comprehension like nothing else can. Imagine it, write it, tell it, and you'll learn it!" Featured at festivals, on TV, and radio, Ben tells original stories, ghost stories, family and folk tales, multi-cultural stories, country yarns and more. Ben is the creator and artistic director of the highly popular and well-known Halloween extravaganza, "Scare on the Square," in Woodstock, Illinois, and has long hosted the Liar's Contest at the Illinois Storytelling Festival in Spring Grove.
Anne Shimojima
Morton Grove IL 60053
Phone: 847-433-0155 x208
Evening: 847-967-2361
Email: ashimojima[at]comcast.net
Anne Shimojima has delighted youth and adult audiences of all sizes with her graceful and spirited tellings of folktales from her Asian heritage and around the world. In 2001 she performed in the Exchange Place at the National Storytelling Festival. A school library media specialist for over thirty years, Anne gives workshops on the use of storytelling in the classroom and media center. She has taught storytelling for National-Louis University and for six years served on the Board of Directors of the Wild Onion Storytelling Celebration.
Jennifer Slaney
102 W. 3rd St.; Sterling IL 61081
Phone: 815-625-1370
Email: librybear[at]aol.com
Website: http://ci.sterling.il.us/main/library/storytellers
Stephanie Smith
824 Kirkwood; Winthrop Harbor IL 60096
Phone: 847-746-1165
Email: steffismith[at]comcast.net
John Smoke
6836 Valley View Dr.; Downers Grove IL 60516
Phone: 630-968-7120
Evening: 630-541-0501
Email: john[at]dgfumc.org
Jeff Solotoroff
3610 N. Pine Grove Ave. #407; Chicago IL 60613
Phone: 773-281-8014
Email: jeffro1165[at]yahoo.com
Mike Speller
1711 Highlands Ave.; Crest Hill IL 60403
Phone: 815-727-2529
Email: nicknameproductions[at]earthlink.net
Website: www.storytelling.org/Speller
Mike Speller is "Going Places." This energetic storyteller may take you Around the World with multi-cultural tales, escort you Into the Shadows for frightful fun, or get your wheels turning with Inspiration to Transportation! You'll be a true "traveling companion" as Mike invites audience participation. No passports necessary.
Jane Stenson
1241 Judson; Evanston IL 60202
Phone: 847-256-5150 x2080
Evening: 847-866-7627
Email: jstenson[at]bakerdemschool.org
Website: www.storytelling.org/Stenson
Storyteller and producer of National-Louis University's Betty Weeks Storytelling Conference for Educators held every February, as well as an evening of Ghost Stories in October. Both events are preceded by school groups concerts. NLU offers a variety of storytelling courses (opportunities to study, listen and tell) throughout the year. National-Louis University, 2840 Sheridan Ave., Evanston IL 60201.
Sandi Sylver
227 April Ln.; North Aurora IL 60542
Phone: 630-896-8242
Email: sandisylver[at]yahoo.com
Website: www.sandisylver.com
Storyteller~Ventriloquist~Songstress! Whether for children or adults, Sandi Sylver is a Teller for all occasions. Her audiences range from Pre-K up through Senior Citizens, and her eclectic bag of interactive stories, songs (with guitar) and ventriloquist puppet pieces are proven crowd pleasers. Sandi performs nationally.
David Walsh
1205 Gettsburg; Bloomington IL 61704
Phone: 309-825-2737
Email: songsdream[at]yahoo.com
John Walsh
3209 Dorset Ct.; Bloomington IL 61704
Phone: 309-663-0022
Evening: 309-663-2223
Email: jwalsh[at]ChristianStorytelling.com
Website: www.christianstorytelling.com
John is the author of "The Art of Storytelling" published by Moody Press, and a series of books on BibleTelling published by International Learning Solutions. His seminars include Making Stories Unforgettable, BibleTelling for an Oral Society, and Developing Presentation Skills.
Greg Weiss
PO Box 983; Homewood IL 60430
Phone: 708-799-8230
Email: gjweiss[at]earthlink.net
Greg tells stories and presents workshops around the Midwest, and beyond. The sources for his stories include world folklore, poetry, his large family, and an overactive imagination. His performance background also includes theatre and rock & roll. In his spare time, he teaches middle school. For his efforts, Greg received the Studs Terkel Humanities Service Award from the Illinois Humanities Council.