 Name: Emily Harris
Location: Tarpon Springs, Florida
e-mail: Emily@emilyharris.net
1. Specific place story was shared:
Florida Storytelling Association’s StoryLab, Tampa, FL, November 11, 2006
and Tampa Bay Storytellers Guild’s Tellabration, Pinellas Park Library, November 18, 2006.
2. Biography:
Emily Harris conducts interactive storytelling and puppet making workshops in schools,
libraries, hospitals, and casual dining restaurants. She is an accomplished costume and puppet designer
for television, film, and theater. Emily holds a BFA from the Rhode Island School of Design.
3. How did you share the stories in The Story box?
Our talented youth tellers presented the Story Box at the
November 11 StoryLab with great ceremony – a procession to the stage with drums, tambourines, and an
Australian didgeridoo. Earlier in the day they each chose a story to share with the adult workshop
participants. As part of their concert, they each read their selected story. They were each given a
box to create a mini Story box Project and present at Florida StoryCamp in March 2007.
Members of The Tampa Bay Storytellers Guild also introduced
the Story Box Project at our Tellabration on November 18. Stories were not read at the time, but we told
the audience about the Project and distributed the flyer about it.
4. How did you add to The Story Box?
I had a request for stories sent out via e-mail to members
of the Tampa Storytellers Guild and Florida Storytelling Association. I asked that stories - personal or
by students, written or recorded, be sent to me to include in the Story Box or forward to the next
location. Description of the project and flyers were also distributed at StoryLab and Tellabration
where the Storybox was presented. I added a 2nd grade project from one of my workshops. I am currently
working on a 5th grade Language Arts project that will catch up with the Story Box in February. In
addition, several Tampa Bay Guild members have initiated mini Story Box projects during concerts,
classroom visits, and other special events.
5. How did you take care of The Story Box?
I kept the Story Box at my home which gave me the
opportunity to reinforce edges and add some Florida touches (pink flamingoes, palm trees, gators)
to the actual box so it begins to resemble a traveling trunk with stickers of all the destinations.
6. What would you remind or recommend to someone who is caring for the box?
My chief recommendation is to ask for submissions well in
advance of the arrival of the Story Box to insure that stories are available to be told and added as
part of the presentation. As the box fills it will be a good idea to allow time to choose stories to
be read or listened to in advance of the presentation. It is a great idea to send a personal note with
the Story Box to the next recipient as well as send a thank you note to the previous recipient. I also
recommend sending it UPS as they provide that essential tracking number. |
• 
