Maumee Indoor Theater
601 Conant Street
Maumee, Ohio 43537
Friday, November 11, 2011, 7 p.m.
High School and College Students Free with Student ID
Featuring:
the Frogtown Storytelling Guild &
storyteller and author
For More Information:
http://sites.google.com/site/frogtownstorytellers/
Find the Frogtown Storytelling Guild on Facebook!
Frogtown Storytelling Guild Presents Sheila Otto in Tellabration 2011!
Toledo-based author and storyteller shares the stage with local performers in their
11th annual storytelling concert
On Friday, November 11, 2011—in celebration of eleven years of Tellabration! in the community—the Frogtown Storytelling Guild (FSG) brings Toledo author and storyteller Sheila Otto to their stage in a spoken-word concert of “stories for grown-ups” at 7p.m. in the Maumee Indoor Theater.
“We are delighted to be featuring the funny, poignant and thought-provoking stories of Toledo’s own Sheila Otto in our eleventh annual Tellabration! concert,” states Pat Lora, Co-Producer for the event. Tellabration! Co-Producer Glenda Miller remarks, “We have a wonderful line-up for the evening that showcases our community’s local talent: our guild members sharing their favorite tales and Sheila’s surprising stories of history and humor.”
Sheila Otto began her storytelling career as a volunteer at her children’s elementary school, claiming that “being in the warm library was better than having playground duty year-round.” At that time, her professional work was in spiritual guidance counseling and serving as the first public relations director for what was then Lourdes College in Sylvania, Ohio. Following her retirement from Lourdes, Otto studied the art and craft of storytelling with noted leaders in the field, including Barbara Britsch, Robert Bela Wilhelm and Midge Miles. Her storytelling was soon incorporated into her counseling and spiritual direction ministry, engaging audiences of all ages and backgrounds throughout the world.
Sheila Otto is the author of All Stories Are True…Some Actually Happened, a book that features her own contemplative photography and philosophy of “soul snorkeling.” She currently conducts Soul Snorkeling Contemplative Photography workshops locally and nationally. Her photojournalism has been featured in The Blade and numerous regional publications. Otto’s extensive story repertoire includes sacred stories from all traditions as well as historical tales, featuring the adventures of real-life “uppity women.”
Begun in Connecticut in 1988 by representatives of the National Storytelling Network, Tellabration! is now an annual worldwide event produced by thousands of local story groups celebrating the grand art of storytelling – sharing funny, sad, scary, real and imagined stories loved by people around the world. The sponsors of Toledo’s Tellabration 2011! are the Frogtown Storytelling Guild and Cardone Financial Group.
___________________________________ ___
WHAT IS TELLABRATION!?
Tellabration! is a worldwide evening of storytelling held each year in November. Originator J. G. Pinkerton envisioned this international event as a means of building community support for storytelling. In 1988 the event was launched by the Connecticut Storytelling Center in six locations across the state. A great success, Tellabration! extended to several other states the following year, and then, in 1990, expanded nationwide under the umbrella of the National Storytelling Network (then called NAPPS, and later the National Storytelling Association).
Tellabration! creates a network of storytelling enthusiasts bonded together in spirit at the same time and on the same weekend. Storytellers who are eager to promote the art of storytelling now produce the event across the nation. Our goal is to provide enjoyable performances which leave the audience lighthearted, more importantly we hope listeners gain a deeper appreciation for the power of stories.
Past Tellabrations! In Toledo
TELLABRATION! 2010!
In celebration of ten years of Tellabration! in the Toledo community, the 2010 concert was held at the Toledo Museum of Art Glass Pavilion, as part of the Museum’s popular It’s Friday evening programming.
Returning to their roots on this 10th Anniversary event, the concert featured the talents of ten tellers from the Frogtown Storytelling Guild, with Producer Ken Solo as master of ceremonies—sharing their all-time favorite stories to an ever-changing audience of enthralled listeners.
Northwest Ohio's 9th Annual Tellabration!
was held on Saturday evening, November 14, 2009 at the Maumee Indoor Theater, 601 Conant Street in Maumee.
Sponsored by the Toledo Frogtown Storytelling Guild,
this two hour family oriented entertainment event brought several local storytellers to the stage,
each with his or her own unique style.
In addition, the program showcased
the skills of featured teller
Omope Carter Daboiku of the Cincinnati area.
Listeners were transformed into participants
with Daboiku’s interactive performance stylings.
Daboinku’s tales focused on the commonality of humankind
as she strove to maintain the traditions
of her storytelling ancestors.
TELLEBRATION! 2008
Irish storyteller, Mike Mazur, (with roots in County Mayo Ireland and more recent ones in Cleveland, Ohio) joined the Toledo Frogtown Storytellers in the storytelling event: Tellebration! This annual worldwide event celebrated the grand art of storytelling locally by sharing funny, sad, scary, real and imagined stories loved by people around the world. An audience of over 200 listeners enjoyed this special evening of stories for grown ups.
Mazer, the founder of CELTIC CEOL shared a special evening of original and Celtic tales. Stories including his own grand tales of reconnecting with his Irish roots in a visit with his 80-year old Uncle Neil in County Mayo, Ireland. Mike spent long wonderful nights listening to stories, tucked in his uncle’s slate roof cottage with no electricity, water or phone. His performance included poetry and songs in English and Gaelic.
Sharing the Telebration! spotlight with the storytelling Irishman, were local area storytellers. “We had a terrific line up of storytellers who donated their outstanding talent in support of this local event,” said Condessa Croninger, spokesperson for the Frogtown Storytellers. “We had a delicious offering of stories. Listeners heard tales that made them laugh, gasp, cry and settle in for a grand night of stories. There was something for everyone.” Joining in this special night of stories were local tellers: Tari Miller, Condessa Croninger, Ken Solo, Catherine Andujar, Tim Reichard, Linda Kerul, Michael Moore, Marian Hallauer, and Pat Lora.
Telebration! was sponsored locally by the Toledo Frogtown Storytelling Guild.
It was held Saturday, Nov. 8 at 7pm at the Maumee Indoor Theater, 601 Conant Street.
AFTER PARTY 2008
Following Tellabration, tellers gathered at 2O North Gallery for an after-party where they visited, discussed the evening, began planning next years event and of course, shared more stories.
TELLABRATION! 2007
For the past seven years, the Frogtown Storytelling Guild has produced its own local event. Tellabration 2007! an evening of “storytelling for grown-ups” was held on Friday, November 9, 2007 at the Maumee Indoor Theater in Maumee Ohio. An audience of over 150 listeners gathered to share in the storytelling experience with Frogtown tellers and guest teller Karen Czarnik. Below are a few photos from the event.
Former Frogtown teller Sheila Painter arrives at the theater. 2007
Frogtowners take a bow. 2007
_______________________ _
Storytelling Members Include:
Loves to tell stories of enchantment, bravery, chivalry and stories that awaken the inner knowing we all possess. Contact Catherine to discuss her fee.
Condessa Croninger 419-885-2941 cm.cron@sev.org
Marion Hallauer 419-389-9830
Humorous stories and ghost stories as well as historical tales for young adults and grown ups. Contact Marion to discuss nominal fee.
A teller of tales both old and new, Linda enjoys moving people through storytelling. A librarian by trade, Linda specializes in family programs and uses a variety of techniques including props, participation and song. Contact Linda to negotiate the minimum $75 fee.
Tim Kreps 419-474-8881 t.kreps@bex.net
Historical re-enactments include many artifacts with great stories. Meet the Voyageur (fur trade), the Pilgrim, Lewis and Clark and Mark Twain. Historical and environmental issue stories. Grade 3 to adult. Contact Tim to discuss fee.
Pat Lora 419-841-5608 mplora@bex.net
Specializing in tales of wisdom and wonder for adults and families. Contact Pat to discuss the $60 minimum fee.
Glenda Miller 419-350-1454 gmiller@buckeye-access.com 
Tari Miller 419-389-9526 thereMll6@buckeye-express.com
A teller of tales for the young at heart, Tari tells folk tales, tales of wisdom, character and humor. Contact Tari to discuss fee.
Michael Moore 419-474-4040 tiptop@toast.net
A Tall Tale-Teller who features costumed storytelling in many different characters. Michael also entertains as “Tip Top the Clown” with balloon twisting, face painting, parachute games and stories for birthday parties and all occasions. Contact Michael to discuss fee.
Dr. Tim Reichard tareichard@aol.com
Original animal tales and boyhood adventures as a farm kid . . . Tim tells the tales of his own experiences with “all creatures great and small.” Dr. Tim is available for school, family and adult audiences for daytime and evening events. Contact Dr. Tim to negotiate fee.
Regina Patrick STJemail@aol.com 
Odessa Rowan 419-537-0021 or 419-277-0591 orowan@sbcglobal.net
Stories for all ages include a variety of moral, humorous and traditional tales as well as book reviews and themed programs. Contact Odessa to discuss fee.
Ken Solo 419-537-0021 or 419-277-0591 rowric@hotmail.com
Stories for all ages including humorous stories, traditional tales and tales with a moral or a twist. Contact Ken to discuss fee.
_______________________________ _____
Ó 2011 The Frogtown Storytelling Guild Updated 11/6/2011- LSK!