"In storytelling performance, I want to cross the bridge between science
and mythology. By creating performances that combine both scientific
fact and ancient myth, the audience has the chance to experience
information as divine wisdom; experience science as archetype,
myth as truth." __ Susan Strauss |
PERFORMANCE OFFERINGS:
COYOTE TALES
Coyote, the wily hero/fool makes his tracks across America in adventures told by Native Americans for thousands of years. Often boastful, forgetful, selfish and sly, Coyote ignites and delights the fool in each of us at any age. These tales generate a better understanding of Native humor, culture and the "sacred teaching fool." All stories developed from anthropological, ethnographic and linguistic texts and meetings with Native elders.
DREAMS OF ANIMALS
Myths, folktales & true life anecdotes are woven together in one performance which conveys how connected are the mythical and biological aspects of animals. Performance may include stories of Bear, Wolf, Eagle, Loon, dove, sparrow, Coyote, Deer, Frog, Bee or Snake.: Possible titles: Deer's Winter Crown (Swedish), Rose Red (German), Frog Creates Day & Night (Nez Perce), Brer Snake (African American), Wolf, the Sun & the Moon (Norse), Five Sparrows (Japan).
AND FOR KIDS:
Tales of Great Fools
Brer Rabbit, Coyote, the Fools of Chelm and the Mulla Nazrudin come together in a program of pure delight __especially for children. These stories of lovable fools from world cultures actively involve audiences in the voice, song and art of storytelling while breaking down cultural barriers.
WHEN VENUS BLUSHES
Mythic-Scientifc Stories from the Plant Kingdom
The Zuni Creation Myth unfolds remarkable images of photosynthesis and the evolution of corn. Multi-cultural myths reveal the extraordinary ways plants support life on earth. They awaken an undeniable curiosity about the quiet green world. Stories may include: Plants Bring Medicine (Cherokee), Venus and Adonis (Roman), Persephone and Demeter (Greek), Coyote & the Grass People (Assiniboin), Yggdrasil, the Tree of Life (Norse) and others.
SECRETS FROM THE DARK FOREST
Mythic Stories of Trees
Since the origin of culture, trees have been revered as a life source and a translator between heaven and earth. The “dark forest” in European tales is always a magical place of transformation. Myths gathered from Iceland, Japan, Costa Rica, Native America, Africa and Russia.
BIRDS OF FORTUNE
Blessing Stories From the Book of Nature
Secrets of prosperity sing out in the nature wisdom stories of every world culture. The “Book of Nature” is an ancient term, referring to this divine wisdom planted in natural fact and "reading nature" as one of the world’s great sacred texts. May include stories from St. Francis, Hassidic Jewish, Native American, Zufi, Norse and Japanese traditions along with personal anecdotes.
COYOTE GETS A CADILLAC
Similar theme for young audience
THE MYTHIC WOLF
Since the Dark Ages in Europe, stories such as “Little Red Riding Hood” and werewolf tales have perpetuated a fear of the wolf that has no support in actual fact. How did this split between fact and myth develop? Ancient world myths reveals the wolf’s true archetype as: devoted parent, extraordinary hunter, spirit guide and guardian of mystery. Stories include: Skidi Pawnee Creation, “Wolf’s Eyelashes” (Japan), “She Who Lived With Wolves” (Lakota), “The Wolf & The Firebird” (Russia), “Skoll & Hati” (Norse), “Spako, the Wolf Goddess” (Persia), anecdotes from Dr. David Mech and other noted wolf biologists and "Little Red Riding Boots Moves To L.A.".
THE BIRD’S TALE
celebrates the rich and delicate symbolism of the bird in global mythology. Birds are characterized through movement and voice. Stories include: “The Hundredth Dove” (England), Mark Twain’s “The Bluejay Yarn”, The Loon Mother (Athabaskin), “Finest, the Falcon” (Russia), “Five Sparrows” (Japan) and others.
WATERS OF LIFE
Water & Marine Life Myths
This extraordinary substance __ often taken for granted __ upon which all life on earth depends __ through which salmon find their birth river __ moving in and among all of us: plant, animal, atmosphere __ water is celebrated in this storytelling performance of Salmon Boy (Haida), Creation of Drinking Water (Pawnee), The Merced River Speaks At Conference (original), Monster Woman at Pacific Coast (Wasco), When Woman Became the Sea (Costa Rica), Heyoke Brings Water to Sundance (original), Swimming Is My Religion (original), The Pond's Story and others.
THE BREATHING ATMOSPHERE
World Mythology of Weather
Whether or not we like the weather, ancient myths portray weather as a divine breathing response to activity on earth__ rain gathered from forests or winds gathered from the Great Plains. Stories may include: Dionysus Stolen by Pirates (Greek), Pawnee Creation of North America, Coyote & Whirlwind Woman (Assiniboin), When Woman Became the Sea (Costa Rican) and Norse Creation.
SOUND & SILENCE
explores the musical art of storytelling __the use of alliteration, syntax and other poetic devices that sweep a child's imagination into the drama of a tale.
THE WINTER GIFT
Tales about the meaning of gifting and snowy landscapes __the events of Light in the Dark Heart of Winter. For warming the hearths and hearts of all ages throughout the cold winter months.
HEROS & SHEROS
Some are quiet and patient . . . others, decisive and fierce, still all heros act out of self-confidence & sovereignty . . . sacrifice & surrender to risk. "Sigfried and Brunhilda"and others emerge from the dark forests of world myths to awaken these heroic qualities in ourselves.
WITCHES, QUEENS & GODDESSES
Mythic Images of the Feminine
Every woman can recognize her own journey toward wholeness in the blossoming imagery of ancient myths and fairytales. Myths and fairy tales from Greek, Norwegian, Russian, English and Native American origins reveal aspects of the feminine nature so different from images presented in the mass media.
VISIBLE DISTANCE
Landscape in the American Mind
“Every natural fact is a symbol of some spiritual fact … Visible distance
behind and before us, is respectively our image of memory and hope.”
__ Ralph Waldo Emerson
Vast open landscapes shaped American’s early identity, the birth of ecological thought and a world-wide conservation movement. American landscape painters enhanced this identity by setting before America a vision of divine creation in images from both the West and the Hudson River Valley. Modern American life is still driven by questions originating from these mythic/ historic roots: Why do human beings need landscape? How is landscape important to our children's emotional and mental development? What will become of our ‘spacious skies and purple mountains majesty’ in the future? Performance interweaves histories and personal anecdotes with Native American myths and poetry in collaboration with Eurythmy Movement and the music of Avo Part.
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