Sample Program Descriptions
All programs are based on the requirements and request of the teacher or organizer.
I do recommend that you arrange your student divisions or audience suitably to meet
comfortable seating and to the maturity level of the listeners. This is thoroughly
discussed and arranged prior to my visits so that the program is comfortable for
all of us.
My multicultural theme is a well received program. I relate my own experiences
of growing up in Thunder Bay, Ontario with a Scottish father, Italian grandfather,
grandmother from Liverpool, and Ukrainian, Finnish, Polish, and Ojibwa friends,
and moving to the big city and meeting other cultures. I also like to provide the
audience with the opportunity to think about their own heritage and cultural background
and what might be unique or the same as other cultures - appreciation
for music and rhythm being one universal commonality we all share. The
program is built around this concept and I will tell related stories,
poems and songs that fit the particular age groups, and time frame you
choose for the set.
back to top
School Performances
I have been a feature storyteller/author for half and full days and for evening
presentations for primary, junior and intermediate divisions.
Family Reading Nights: Some schools prepare a Family Literacy Night program
with a main concert or with rotating audiences of all age so that families can stay
together. One group may visit a library display for a limited amount of time while
another will hear authors of books or a different storyteller. I have performed
the feature concert as author and storyteller or have been set up in a room to receive
audiences during three 30 minute sets in an evening.
back to top
Concert Examples
Primary grades
Grades JK - grade 2: Participation, sequential, musical stories and
songs to help encourage language development, comprehension and oral communication,
as well as positive attitudes and appreciation for language.
Rhythm & Rhyme Time!
An hour of fun-filled snapping, clapping, tapping, singing and telling tales together
in a rhyme! With a light-hearted delivery, many delightful traditional and original
tales, poems, chants and tunes are performed.
Junior grades
Grades 3 – 6: Stories, songs and poetry focusing on sameness and differences.
Subject material includes morals, cultural values and beliefs, and re-enforcement
of positive values as well as attitudes through humour and situations. Enrichment of vocabulary
and oral presentation skills as well as appreciation for language is also a focus.
Connecting the Community Through Storytelling: We Are All the Same ... We Are All
Different!
Presented by: Heather Whaley
Through the ancient art of oral tradition focus is brought to the importance of
communicating love, togetherness, unity, acceptance, and how telling stories helps
each of us to understand our similarities and differences.
Example:
Adaptation of The Ugly Duckling. I have written it as an echo song and retain
the essence of the story. It can only be performed properly with the participation
of older kids. I have also performed it on stage to adults so it could be an example
model for intermediate story writing and adaptation/interpretation
Intermediate Grades
Grades 4-8: Tea & Toast Tales, folk music, folk tales, urban
legends and ghost stories. Directed towards older kids, and integrated with music, poetry and song.
back to top
Workshop Examples
Primary & Junior – Half Day
Two 60 – 70 minute programs: Introduction to the importance of storytelling,
with examples of diverse stories, such as folktales and personal tales, told in
both casual and performance style, including a few storytelling games to each
grade division. One grade division before recess and one following recess. Receive
a copy of follow-up material for teachers. Storyboarding with Flannel board
to help show sequence and modelling a folk tale format. Follow-up classroom activity:
Students rewrite the story in their own voice.
Junior: the program would be adapted to focus on oral language development
through musical rhythm, songs, rhyme, sequence, cumulative and pattern tales with
predictable plots, and strong characterizations; non-threatening moral stories and
those of virtue. Full or half-day workshop for this age is available upon request.
Workshops are also offered as ‘mini-workshops’ for several grades throughout the
day.
Intermediate: Half day
An introduction to the importance of storytelling with examples of diverse
curriculum related stories, folktales, legends, and poems delivered in both casual
and performance style with music, props, songs, poetry, and song writing. Participation
is encouraged.
Discussion: Importance of listening, respecting the storyteller, eye contact, gestures,
intonation of voice, projecting voice, posture, providing images for yourself and
listeners, the story choice, the stories lessons and messages. The storytelling
structure teaches transferring the story from the page to telling aloud and writing stories
to tell.
Other Topics Discussed:
- How storytelling can help us understand diversity, cultural differences, and social
issues
- How we can use storytelling to help us learn history, geography, math, and sciences
- Researching stories and related resources
- Telling stories in the classroom
- Using a talking stick or symbol to begin a telling session
- Telling in your own voice
- Telling personal stories and incorporating original songs and poetry
- Use of elements, props, folk music, poetry, rhymes, and interaction including storytelling
games and possibly an invitation to volunteer.
back to top
Special Events and Occasions
May be themed for your special occasion or event!
For children and families: Lively, musical, participatory and educational.
Adults: Please inquire.
back to top
Booking Information
Available dates – Please contact me with your request and we can discuss
the potential dates.
Age range - I perform to all ages, however, my specialty is in schools and at events
with primary and junior grades and families.
The maximum size of a group is 150.
I bring props and a small amplifier
with a head-set to my performances. Larger events please provide sound system if possible.
Please see Concerts Performances
page for details about MUSICAL STORY AND
SONG THEATRE.
back to top
Fee Schedule
*Fee scale meets the Canada Council for the Arts and Storytellers of Canada, recommended
minimum rates for professional artist services. I thank you for your respect
in this regard.
Please visit http://www.sc-cc.com/guidelines-professional.html
to read the Guidelines for Storytellers, including suggested fees, as set forth
by the national arts organization Storytellers of Canada - Conteurs du Canada.
School Rates:
- One program up to an hour plus travel expenses, $250.
- Multiple same day performances for two full program sessions or more, $175 each.
- Half Day, $350.
- Full day with negotiable time frames, $600.
- Reading nights - for one full concert or up to three 25-30 minute sessions, $250-$350.
Corporate Concerts, Organisations and Large Events:
- Based on the size of the event and audience, from $250.
Festivals:
- For children or adults, please contact me to discuss, from $250.
Daycares, Libraries, Guides, Camps, and House Concerts with Small Groups:
- Introductory specials offered for Halloween, Christmas, March break, and summer
programs. Please contact me to discuss.
Special Needs and Severely Ill / Physically and/or Mentally Challenged Group Audiences:
- For children and adults.
- Please contact me to discuss potential programs and pricing.
back to top