With more than 20 years of experience as an award-winning storyteller, Kirk Waller will share stories through spoken word, rhyme and music during two special library appearances.
As director of the Storytelling Programs at Oakland-based Stagebridge Senior Theater Company, Waller was named the winner of the 2010 J.J. Reneaux Emerging Artist Grant by the national Storytelling Network. He was recognized for his signature musical and movement-infused storytelling style.
Waller, winner of the Parent’s Choice GOLD Award for his latest CD “But Why? Stories, Music and Songs” presents “Storytelling Workshop” July 8, 6-7:30 p.m. at Rudisill Regional Library, 1520 N. Hartford Ave. Participants will learn how to use spoken word, rhyme, music and movement to create an unforgettable storytelling experience.
The following day, Waller is the featured presenter for the annual Jeanne B. Goodwin Storytelling Festival, July 9, 10 a.m., at Rudisill Regional Library. Families are invited to let their imaginations soar as shares his award-winning presentation.
The annual festival is a tribute to the late Jeanne B. Goodwin, a lifelong educator and literacy champion, who understood how storytelling and the visual experience work to build a vivid imagination.
Celebrating Jeanne B. Goodwin’s 100th birthday in 2003, Rudisill Regional Library’s storytime room was dedicated in her honor. Multi-colored fish, shaped with individual pieces of tile, greet children entering the ocean-themed storytime room. Each wall of the room features colorfully painted starfish, clown fish, sharks, lobsters, turtles and other wonders of the underwater world. Oftentimes, children will create their own stories using the sea creatures painted on the storytime walls.
While at the library, families are encouraged to sign up for the 2014 children’s summer reading program “Fizz, Boom, Read” which continues through Aug. 2. Children reading eight books and visiting the library four times will receive a medal of achievement and coupons for free entertainment around Tulsa County.
For more information, call the AskUs Hotline, 918-549-7323, or visit the library’s website, www.tulsalibrary.org.
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