 STORYTELLING PERFORMANCE AND TEACHING EXPERIENCE: 1981 to Present- Full time professional storyteller. Selected Engagements: Ackland Art Museum, World Religions Storytelling Project, Artist-in- Residence starting July 1, 1997- Present. Funded by the National Endowment for the Arts. I lead storytelling groups in five different faith communities: Buddhist, Christian, Hindu/Jain, Jewish, and Muslim. These groups are now involved in performing and recording their stories to contribute to an art based curriculum on world religions for public schools. Family Violence and Rape Crisis Services of Chatham County, Artist-in-Residence starting July 1, 1997-Present. Funded by the NC Arts Council. I lead workshops for women and children served by this agency. NC Museum of Art, Raleigh, NC. 1984, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1996. Performances in conjunction with exhibitions. Albuquerque Public Library System, summer reading program performances, ABQ, NM 1995 International Festival, Raleigh, NC. 1994 and 1995. Japanese Stories and Judaic Stories, representing both sides of my family background. Asia Day, Culbreth Junior High School, Chapel Hill, NC 1993. Human Relations Council of Allentown, PA. Key note address, 1994. Correctional Facility for Women, Raleigh, NC. Performances and workshops. 1989, 1993, 1995. Cleveland County Mental Health Center, Artist in Residence, Shelby, NC 1994. Duke Hospital, room-to-room storytelling, Durham, NC 1990, 1991, 1992. Project Enlightenment, 20 hour class for teachers, Raleigh, NC 1992, 1995, 1996, 1997. Project Enlightenment, Staff Retreat, Raleigh, NC 1993. Episcopal Seminary of the South West, performances and workshop, Austin, TX 1996. COLLABORATORS: Beverly Botsford, percussionist. Since 1983. Mike Hamer, musician and wheelchair dancer. Since 1985. RADIO AND TV- selected appearances: WUNC radio, Chapel Hill, NC 1990, 1995. The Androgena Show, WRAL-TV, Raleigh, NC 1992. Just Kidding, WDEV radio, Waterbury, VT 1983, 1985, 1990. Three Stories Tall, NBC-TV, Washington, DC 1986. RECORDINGS: Story Stone, Issue 5, 1988. Goddess Suite and Stories, 1987. AWARDS, HONORS: Indi Art Award, NC Independent 1999 Storytelling Journal of the National Storytelling Association, 1996. Feature article in their theme issue about rivers. Emerging Artist Grant, Durham Arts Council, 1995. Focused on my Japanese-Buddhist/ Byelo Russian-Jewish family background. NC Woman of Environmental Action, 1994, for creating the Haw River Festival. Best Storyteller, HOTWIRE Magazine. 1992. Citizen Award, NC Independent 1990, for creating the Haw River Festival. RIVER PROJECTS: Exploris Museum's Video River , Cape Fear River Basin, Project Coordinator 1997. Led a group of 7 middle school students, 2 teachers, and a videographer in a headwaters to the sea exploration of the Cape Fear River Basin. Planned program, lined up presenters, identified participants, and handled logistics. Clearwater's Hudson River Revival, Westchester County, NY 1983-1996. Selected performers and planned the program for the storytelling area of this weekend festival. Haw River Festival, Piedmont of North Carolina. Created this event in 1990 and staffed it from 1990-1994. The Haw River Festival is a traveling learning celebration that takes to the river each spring. Over the course of one month 300 volunteers teach and entertain over 3000 fourth graders and visit several communities through out the 100 mile length of the river. In the Heart of the Beast Mask and Puppet Theater. I traveled with the "Circle of Water Circus" down the Mississippi River. I performed in the circus and in a storytelling "side show." Summer 1983. Sloop Clearwater, Hudson River, NY. This boat has been called "The Flagship of the Environmental Movement." It engages in environmental education and action on the Hudson River and surrounding waterways. I assisted with the sloop's environmental education program, telling stories, designing curricula, leading small groups of children and adults. My official position was that of Bos'n, in charge of the physical maintenance of this large wooden vessel. As permanent crew I lived with 7 others in the tiny focs'l cabin. We had no running water and limited electricity. 1978-1981. PRINTMAKING: NC Literary Review, six prints in 1997 issue. Chatham County Open Studio Tour 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998 Project Enlightenment printmaking workshop for teachers 1997, 1998 ArtsPlosure 1997, 1998 Lake Eden Arts Festival 1997 Ladyslipper's Holiday Extravaganza 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997 Ladyslipper Catalog Cover 1995, Women and Drums print WORKSHOPS AND TRAINING ATTENDED: Storytelling and the Religious Message, Lake Junaluska, NC. 1982. Family Storytelling with Don Davis, Chapel Hill, NC 1984. Sign Language as Creative Expression with Debbie Rennie, Chapel Hill, NC 1987. Story Coaching session with Judith Black, Marblehead, MA, 1994. National Coalition Building Institute Leadership Training, participated in 5 day training on prejudice reduction and conflict resolution, Washington DC, 1992. EDUCATION: Goddard College, Plainfield, Vermont 1976-1978. Studied: Storytelling, Festivals, and Natural Sciences. University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill. 1981- 1982. Studied: Natural Sciences and Printmaking. SELECTED ADDITIONAL WORK EXPERIENCES: Note: My storytelling is informed by the adventures I've had. Images of boats, rivers, swamps, salmon, farmers, etc. thread through the stories I tell in a more vital way because of my hands on experience with them. Soviet American Sail. This citizen diplomacy project involved 20 Soviets and 20 Americans in a transatlantic sail boat crossing. Our slogan was "We're all in the same boat." We were at sea for 48 days in a two-masted schooner. By the end of this trip, despite language and cultural differences, we had overcome relational and physical obstacles and created numerous life long friendships. Summer 1989. Damariscove Island, Maine. Naturalist and Caretaker. This Nature Conservancy preserve is 5 miles off the coast. All human visitors came by boat. Our link to shore was via a friendly lobsterman and our marine radio. We had no electricity, hauled our water in buckets from a well, and ate largely from food we fished and gathered. Summer 1984. Camp for the Deaf, La Plata, MD. Instructor for deaf children ages 5-16. All communication in sign language. Summer 1982. Merchants Mill Pond, Gates County, NC. Held the position of summer Naturalist. Led natural history exploration of this southern swamp. Programs included groups of all ages from preschool to adult. I lived in a tent all summer. Summer 1981. Govewood Farm, Plain field,VT. I assisted daily at morning milking and also helped with hay making during the summer. 1977-1978. phone: 919-542-5599 email: louiseok@mindspring.com 3348 Alston Chapel Road Pittsboro, NC 27312 |
