Olympia Storytelling Guild
2002-2003
Resource list of Tellers
The storytellers listed are members in good standing of
the Olympia Storytelling Guild. The
Guild does not recommend or schedule performances for tellers. Interested parties are encouraged to contact
tellers individually. Fees or service
donations are negotiated with each teller.
Blayne Borden
360-570-0944
3123 Hoadly Street SE
Olympia, WA 98501
Blayne enjoys telling stories that invite and encourage audience participation.
As a Youth Services Librarian, Blayne focuses on stories for children and their
families and is comfortable telling for any size group, from the very small to
the very large.
Claude N. Bowman
(360) 570-0309
3200 Capital Mall Dr. SE
Apt. #L102
Claude is a journeyman actor on stage, film and television
and has been active in that craft for the past dozen years. In storytelling he specializes in tales with
a Hispanic origin. He is a versatile
storyteller with a wide range of stories.
His most beloved tales are a special rendition of La Llorona, La Chupacabra, a short story he
authored called The Miracle of Peidras Secas, and his adaptation of an
old Mexican folk tale The Witch’s Face.
Don Comer
(360) 493-8116
10235 Kiwa Drive SE
Olympia, WA 98513
Don has told
innumerable stories at scout and mountaineering campfires, schools, church
assemblies and Native American gatherings.
Although retired from two occupations, he currently teaches recreational
leadership skills and spiritual awareness courses. He is always ready to spin tales for listening ears. Don’s stories are about wild animals,
strange places he has visited, word play narratives, musical puns, Arkansas
exaggeration tales, songs and accounts of the American West, Brazilian
adventures, and legendary goings-on in the Canadian North.
Linda Cosgrove
(360) 352-3772
215 E. 10th #4
Olympia, WA 98501
Linda tells encouraging and humorous stories. She likes to make her audience feel good
when she tells. Her stories often have
delightful surprises. Linda enjoys
telling to children and adults.
Jana Dean
(360) 754-5869
6732 Boston Harbor Road
Olympia, WA 98506
Jana will tell a story
whenever the time and place are right.
An experienced educator and trained Waldorf teacher, she offers
workshops and courses to children or adults for schools, businesses and
community organizations. She has been
telling professionally for ten years.
Debe Edden
(360) 943-6772
319 N. Foote
Olympia, WA 98502
Debe speaks from the
heart to the heart by sharing stories of courage, compassion, transformation
and hope. As a professional actor and
educator for over twenty years, Debe brings her stories to life though her
dramatic presentation. She has been an
instructor of storytelling and theatre at The Evergreen State College. Debe has also hosted a storytelling radio
show. She tells to audiences of all
ages and is available to lead workshops on storytelling.
Rebecca Hom
(360) 866-6308
7705 Forest Park Dr. NW
Olympia WA 98502
Rebecca’s story programs focus on world wisdom, folk tales
and personal/family stories. Teaching
story value to professional educators and aiding parents in passing on family
stories is of special interest to Rebecca.
“Our live are stories and we are all storytellers,” says Rebecca. “Sharing stories brings continuity from our
past and hope to our future.” Rebecca
also provides artist residencies, workshops and retreat facilitation.
Beth Leimbach
(360) 866-9733
2712 Lewis Rd. NW
Olympia, WA 98502
An actor, farmer,
gardener and musician, Lydia Beth (often called Beth) also tells stories. An active member of the Olympia Storytelling
Guild, she enjoys telling stories to folks of all ages. She particularly enjoys telling stories
featuring animals, plants, women and girls.
Mike Lince
(360) 866-4617
10116 Windward Drive NW
Olympia, WA 98502
Mike’s interest in
storytelling traces back to his college training in oral interpretation and
Reader’s Theatre. He has a lively and
energetic style that brings his characters to life for his listeners. Mike is interested in the roots of American
folklore, which draws from many cultures.
He enjoys tall tales, and do not be surprised if he throws in a poem to
highlight his performance. Mike
welcomes inquiries from schools, youth groups, and family organizations.
Elizabeth Lord
(360) 754-7114
2023 Conger Ave. NW
Olympia, WA 98502
Elizabeth captures her audience with tales that grab hold
of the listener and often surprises them with a twist at the end. She is an acting instructor with Capitol
Playhouse NW Theatre for Youth, and also teaches Language Arts part-time at the
Olympia Waldorf School. With a flair
for drama and a steady eye, she always manages to get even the most reluctant
listener to join in. She has told to
all sorts of folks, in all kinds of places, for all sorts of reasons. Elizabeth is available, in addition to
performance, to lead workshops on storytelling for youth and adults.
Judy Loeven
(360) 446-0683
P.O. Box 1229
Rainier, WA 98576
Judy is a former zookeeper and specializes in telling animal-related stories
from many different cultures. Her
stories are entertaining and quite often amusing, but listeners will also leave
with a little more knowledge about the animals' ecology and behavior. She also tells modern versions of the old
European fairy tales and has been known to spin a rousing good ghost story in
the dark of the night.
Billie Mazzei
(360) 943-2504
4427 Boston Harbor Road NE
Olympia, WA 98506
Billie tells stories for children and adults; folk and
fairy tales, old and new and biblical tales.
She tells for schools, churches, small groups, and parties. Billie’s stories warm your heart and tickle
your funny bone.
Susan McCauley
(360) 455-8224
10947 Stedman Road SE
Olympia, WA 98513
Susan McCauley is a teacher and has been a storyteller for
nearly 40 years. She specializes in
stories for children but has a few adult stories as well. She especially enjoys developing personal
stories and helping others do the same.
Mari Nowitz
(360) 705-8054
1627 Brawne Ave. NW
Olympia, WA 98502
Mari is a storyteller,
weaver, and librarian. Her favorite
stories are folk tales filled with wit and wisdom, where clever characters
inspire and entertain listeners with their antics. She also seeks out stories that encourage audience participation. Mari delights in bringing her stories to
groups of all ages and sizes, from preschool to adult, at intimate gatherings
or large events.
(360) 754-7568
In those way-off long ago days, a talkative girl put her
four squirmy younger sisters to sleep with bedtime stories. In these right here and now days, Anne Marie
brings the warmth and delight of folk and fairy tales to audiences at schools,
fairs, and homes. Anne Marie is an
elementary teacher, and procession artist. “What excites me most about telling
these days is finding ways to fit more song and rhythm to the stories.” Anne Marie is available to tell evenings and
weekends, and especially loves telling for family audiences.
