When checking out Opportunities for Youth and Storytelling, Start Here
This is by no means a complete list. We need your help to make it so.
Please send us any additions, corrections, and or ideas and we will update this list on a quarterly basis.
You can send to kctells@kevincordi.com
Y.E.S. Youth, Educators, and Storytellers Special Interest Group with NSN.
I am the founder of this organization and I am so glad that it is going strong. It is
effective tool to help you to be involved in youth storytelling and learning about storytelling for teaching.
The Purpose of the Youth, Educators, and Storytellers (YES!) Alliance Special Interest
Group is twofold:
To promote youth storytelling through the Youth Strand
To encourage educators and other adults to use storytelling with youth as an educational tool
in classrooms and in other settings through the Curriculum Links and Storytelling Strategies Strand
(CLASS). You can reach them at http://www.yesalliance.com/
This is a wonderful nation-wide program that involves thousands of youth sending videotapes across the
country to celebrate storytelling by kids of all ages across the state and nation. I was the previous
Executive Director which now is in the expert hands of Elizabeth Rose and the personnel in Pigeon Forge,
Tennessee. They even have a tandem division. Check it out!
This is the organization that addresses the network needs of all storytellers and those who care about
storytelling. Be sure to join and find out about the vast and diverse places that story can take you. This
also is the home of Y.E.S. (Youth, Educators, and Storytellers SIG)
International Storytelling Center/ National Storytelling Festival This amazing festival features talented
storytellers around the country and the world. It has been running for over 30 years and within the last 10 has
featured youth storytellers. This is the grand daddy for storyteller and youth storytellers. It draws in over
8000 people per year. In order to find out how to audition a youth for this event, click on the logo. You can
learn about the Center and the festival at www.storytellingcenter.com.
Since 1995 I have been the Director of The Story Box Project. This is a way to have youth (and adults)
stories shared across the country and the world. It is a Story Box that travels with your stories adding
more as the Box travels. A handbook is being designed and will soon be available. You can find out more at
www.kevincordi, under Story Box.
Dr. Flora Joy is one of my friends, teachers, and mentors. She is a champion for youth, founder of the
National Youth Storytelling Olympics, and creator of Storytelling World. She also created the first
graduate program in storytelling at East Tennessee State University. I was a student of the program.
The graduate program at East Tennessee State University is now run by another friend and
advocate for storytelling, the talented Dr. Joseph Sobol. Click his picture to find out more.
Elizabeth Rose has heralded the helm of the National Youth
Storytelling Showcase. She is a wonderful friend, mountain teller, and so much more. Click her
picture to find out more.
Rachel Hedman, Co-Chair of Yes with Elizabeth Rose, is a good
friend who was a youth teller and now is moving as an advocate and teller and teacher. Find out
more, just click her picture.
Judy Sima is my co-author of Raising Voices: Youth Storytelling
Groups and Troops, talented storyteller, dear friend, and a stellar advocate of youth storytelling.
Click her picture to find out more.
Audio and Video Connections
Eric Wolf has assembled storytellers and those who work with youth. If you want to know the work of
storytelling, check this out. I also did an interview where I talk about among other things the
innovative Ensemble Storytelling work that I had designed to include more and more youth on stage
at the same time. My interview
was called, "Children Telling Stories—Giving Children a Voice." You can read my interview but
check out all the rest as well!
Storyteller.net includes the Urban Legend “The Babysitter” with my award-winning storyteller
troupe (based on Radio 50’s work) and the story of “My Grandmother’s Hair”
An interview with me about Science Fiction, Writers of the Future Contest and Storytelling. Check it out!
An interview with me about Science Fiction, Writers of the Future Contest and Storytelling.
Check it out!
A place where you can hear download stories for a small fee from some bright and talented tellers on all
subjects. Kevin’s stories and his students' are also on this site.
Columbus Foodcast
Audio podcast with Kevin being interviewed about Storytelling and Food : What stories we remember from
our experiences with food.
Youth Tellers & New Voices
Katie is a past youth NYSS torchbearer and now is doing wonderful work as a storyteller.
Jeremy Evans is also a previous NYSS torchbearer and
traveled and telling all over Florida.
Rixon Lane is an award-winning storyteller,
also a torch bearer making roads in South Carolina.
Alex Bowcut, also NYSS finalist, has been featured
at several national and local storytelling festivals and has shared the stage with some of the best professional
storytellers in the world.
Resources
Story Craft: This site is designed to help kids (primarily younger) develop storytelling skills by
engaging in crafts and more. Wonderful wealth of resources is available, including a kid friendly newsletter.
Youth Storytelling
Festivals and Organizations
*These are festivals that have a history of featuring youth. These
festivals are paving the road for others to follow. Be sure to check them out and see how the compliment
of adult professional storytellers works well with youth storytelling.
**If you know of a festival that features youth and is not listed, please send an email
to me. This site will be updated on a quarterly basis. We would love to have you help us spread the word.
Digital Storytelling Festival/ Events —
Another new way stories are being explored are digitally. Check out this website to find out more. I used
to tell stories only in a performance venue but after being trained by the Center for Digital Storytelling
I discovered the teaching implications for youth using digital. Also check out
Media that Matters.
Four Corners Storytelling Festival (New Mexico) — This
festival has been working with youth for years. They feature a youth concert and youth tellers serve as
emcee and tellers with the national tellers. For the festivals ::
For a feature on youth
Florida Storytelling Camp
under the direction of the Florida Storytelling Organization (Florida) — This organization
knows the value of youth tellers. They are not only including them at a Camp that features some of the
best regional and national tellers, but they have other events during the year for youth in order for youth
to have a place to grow. They also have a concerted group of State Youth Storytelling Clubs. I admire the
work they do and look forward to their next mission. Youth Page
Illinois Storytelling Festival (Illinois) — This festival showcases youth and professional
storytellers from all over the country. It is where many rising stars shine!
Lehigh Valley Storytelling Guild (Pennsylvania) — This organization works diligently to
provide space and place for youth and adult tellers. Their festival is always looking at new ways to
include all ages, including a fringe festival.
Mesa Storytelling Festival (Arizona) — This festival brings some of the best talent in the
country! They also include youth tellers at this much talked about festival.
Mariposa Storytelling Festival (California) — I have had the pleasure of working with the
festival and it is one of the best around! They always have youth involved in some way and bring in the
best tellers! The backdrop off the festival is very near Yosemite National Park. Take the trip!
The Moth (New York) — this is an innovate approach to story. Like “poetry
slams” this place in New York hosts Story Slams and often has youth story slams. It is a new
wave in storytelling.
National Association of Black Storytellers (Maryland) — This organization has always
involved youth in their work. They have special programs for youth and at their conference include youth.
They see youth as they should be seen, an integral part of the community.
Nebraska Story Arts (Nebraska) — This festival offers a youth story camp.
Youth need to find places to nurture their talent or refine their skills. Take advantage of
this opportunity for youth.
New Jersey Storytelling Festival (New Jersey) — This festival has been going on for over
15 years and recently has been showcasing youth tellers.
Ocala Storytelling Festival (Florida) — This festival also has been a shining light for
youth and storytelling. They have a concerted effort to combine youth tellers with adult tellers.
Accomplished teller Jeremy Evans, now an adult, has and is often featured at this festival. Also, check out
the spotlight on youth page.
Smokey Mountain Storytelling Festival (Tennessee) — This festival not only is the permanent
home of the National Youth Storytelling Showcase, but is one of the expert models to look at for combining
youth with professional tellers. They feature workshops, performances, Haunted tales, and so much more. A
must!
San Antonio Storytellers Association (Texas) — This organization features a Texas Youth
Storytelling Olympics event and has often rallied for youth storytelling.
St. Louis Storytelling Festival (Missouri) — This festival is a growing festival that includes a
Liar’s contest and a Youth Storytelling Showcase.
Strand Storytelling Festival (West Virginia) — This festival brings some of the best talent
and has a youth storytelling concert.
Southern Ohio Storytelling Festival (Ohio) — This festival is always looking at new ways
to include youth. They feature youth tellers and are exploring ways to include them throughout the
festival. A well-organized festival that you should take the time to experience!
Tampa-Hillsborough Storytelling Festival (Florida) — They are billed as “the longest
continuous running festival in the United States featuring youth as its stars” and they are. They
have a wonderful comprehensive coaching manual
for youth storytelling organizers.
Tellabration (Washington State) — This state event in Bellingham donates their proceeds to
supporting youth. These are fine folk and worth supporting!
Timpanogos Storytelling Festival (Utah) — This festival for years has had youth storytellers
as a main part of their festival. They incorporated hundreds of youth each year in youth storytelling
events and the youth tell and emcee the festival. This is definitely a place to discover!
Weber State Storytelling Festival (Utah) — Children from three school districts
participate in a variety of storytelling activities prior to the Festival. From these, approximately 70
are selected to tell stories for the event. Every session begins with one or two youth tellers.
