|
I open my eyes to see,
I open my ears to hear,
I open my heart to feel
I open my mind to think,
Let the stories come!
Barry joined the world of Storytelling in 1991 on a tour through The Lincoln Center Institute in New York, and has been telling tales since! He is a member of the National Storytelling Network and the Southern Order of Storytellers, and was named the “National Storyteller of the Year” for 1999 by Ohio’s Creative Arts Guild. Barry performs in metro Atlanta schools through Young Audiences at the Woodruff Arts Center, and is on the roster of the Georgia Council for the Arts. He has told in hundreds of schools, libraries, festivals, camps, senior centers, museums, and beyond. A rich variety of voices, expressive movement, colorful props and costume pieces abound as Barry draws on his theatrical training and experience to bring stories to life!
Barry offers a number of diverse theatrical Storytelling Programs:
- A World of Stories – Travel the globe through lively retellings of folklore from around the world, and some personal travel stories. Hear of Anansi's adventures in search of stories, the Six Suns of ancient China, Cherokee Possum and how his tail became bare, and much more. A wide repertoire – from six continents and countless traditions -- to guarantees a perfect fit for any event and audience.
- Un Mundo de Cuentos – Say bienvenidos to bilingual tales from the Spanish-speaking world, including the travails of the folk fool Juan Bobo, the tricks of Coyote, and more. Barry selects tales from Mexico, Mallorca, Ecuador, Puerto Rico, and other spots in the mundo hispanico, accessible to Spanish-speakers and English-speakers alike.
- Shakespeare's Fun House – Introduce elementary-age audiences to the characters and stories of Shakespeare! Fast-paced and age-appropriate, in contemporary language with plenty of audience interaction and onstage volunteers, the program takes audiences on a ride through some of the Bard's best, as Barry becomes Romeo, Dromeo, Falstaff, Cleopatra, and other favorites. Each tells his story, and together they offer a glimpse back into the world of Elizabethan England, and forward into the classic works that students will encounter in later studies.
- The Living Labyrinth: A-Maz-ing Myths of Ancient Greece –Barry introduces the gods and goddesses and brings favorite Greek myths to life, through a variety of interactive theatre techniques, including masks, tableaux, mirroring, puppets, and story enactment. Audiences delight in the Flight of Icarus, Persephone's Journey to Hades, Narcissus and Echo, and the Race of Atalanta, as they wander through the Living Labyrinth of ancient Greek Mythology.
- Peace Pipes and Talking Leaves: Cherokee Leaders and Lore – Through the voices of three historical figures -- Sequoyah, inventor of the Cherokee syllabary; Nancy Ward, Beloved Woman; and Dragging Canoe, brave warrior -- Barry shares Cherokee folklore, customs and history. Highlights include the creation myth cycle and the tale of the Healing Lake, the challenges posed by European settlement, and details of Cherokee Stickball, the Seven Clans, and the Green Corn ceremony. It's an engaging, entertaining, and educational portrayal of a fascinating and noble nation.
- CultureMan to the Rescue! – For the 2011 Vacation Reading Program, here's a superhero who travels the world gathering folklore to help kids solve problems, including tales from West Africa, Ireland, Cuba and China that are retold in familiar picture books by Verna Aardema, Tomie DePaola, Alma Flor Ada and Demi – all delivered with colorful cultural touches and fun for all.
- Mr. Bugaboo's Bugazoo – First toured through libraries, this program of stories, poems, and songs explores bugs in children's literature, including "The Old Woman Who Swallowed a Fly," a participatory hand puppet telling of "The Ant and the Grasshopper", and the goings-on in Eric Carle's Garden when the Lonely Firefly decides to have a party. Full of audience involvement, this program is perfect for emerging readers and established bug-lovers -- often one and the same!
- Smarty Barty’s Arty Party – Also created for libraries, here is a program of stories, poems and songs exploring the visual and performing arts through favorite children's books. Smarty Barty ponders his guest list, invoking visits with irrepressibly creative friends like Olivia the Pig, Amazing Grace, Harold (of Purple Crayon fame), and Lilly (of Purple Plastic Purse fame). There's music, dance, art, puppetry, audience participation, and fanciful bits of Seuss and Silverstein as well. Everyone's invited!
- Drippy’s Daring Adventures – Another library-originated show based in favorite children's literature, this program follows the adventures of a lovable drop named Drippy. He delights in changing forms and moves through favorite environments and stories, including the Small, Small Pond, a Snowy Day, rainy poems, and the great big sea. The stage is full of color, and opportunities for fun and participation, as all are welcome to make a splash with wonderful stories!
Other programs in the chest include:
- The Highest Office – a living history presentation about Jimmy Carter’s rise to the Presidency, first commissioned by the Jimmy Carter Museum and Library
- Taken Hostage, a living history presentation about the Iran hostage crisis, also commissioned by the Carter Museum.
- Native Waters Speak – a program of folklore, history and environmental awareness inspired by and about the “Native Waters” Watershed Mural in Atlanta.
- American Spine – a long-form poetic story performance chronicling Barry’s cross-country hitchhiking journey back in 1981, a road trip full of memorable characters, spectacular sights, and unexpected events.
- Mesmerized! – a fascinating account of Barry’s inner experience as a volunteer in a stage hypnosis show in a cheesy bowling alley lounge.
Program fees start at $200, with discounts for multiples, and may vary depending on date and location. Contact Barry for more information.
Barry has two CD’s of stories that are sure to delight, both available through cdbaby.com/Artist/BarryStewartMann, or wherever Barry is teaching or performing:
- The King of Cool, and Other Tales for Young Imaginers, a collection of ten original, imagination-based stories for 5-10 year-olds. Full of wonderful imagery, delightful language, and subtle lessons, the tales include “The Long-Haired Boy,” “Runway Rabbits,” and “Captain Cauliflower.”
Click here for a sample Track: "Hello, Things"
- The Improbable Love of Ethel and Elmer, and Other Offbeat Tales of Romance, an eclectic mix of stories for all ages about the timeless theme of love, with its many odd twists and turns.
Click here for a sample Track: "The Lovelorn Princess"
|
