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Performances
"Ms. Hamilton becomes
a bedraggled hag, an arrogant prince, a crafty handmaiden all in
the space of a few minutes. The applause at the end of the cautionary
tale is more than polite. The audience is relaxed and smiling. It
is clear that storytelling is not just the realm of children."
Constance Alexander, Murray Ledger and Times, Murray, KY
Here's where you can learn
about Mary's storytelling performances for Adults
and College Students, for Families,
and for Students preschool
through Grade 12. Mary creates each storytelling program by selecting
tales from her repertoire to suit the occasion and the specific
audience. Program lengths also vary depending on the audience and
the specific event. While some stories can be told for a variety
of ages, Mary also tells tales for more specific age groups.
Representatives from museums, libraries, and other organizations
with a desire for thematic programs should feel free to talk with
Mary about your program theme and your intended audience. When her
repertoire is a good fit, Mary will accept the job. When it isn't,
she'll do her best to recommend a more suitable teller.
Learn about just a few of the approximately 200 stories in Mary's
repertoire by selecting titles from the lists below. All story lengths
given are approximate. Why? Each retelling of the story changes
a bit because Mary relates to her audience allowing the tale to
be told in the manner most appropriate for the particular audience.
Mary will be telling your audience stories, not reciting memorized
scripts; so each retelling of a tale is unique.
Adults and College Students
Susan
Contemplates Murder
"Susan had never imagined herself the
sort of woman who would contemplate murder. So she had not expected
such contemplation to come about so easily." Explore Susan's
musings on murder coupled with her memories of a relationship as
Mary leads you through the twists and turns of this mini-mystery.
Approximate length: 17 minutes
"Susan Contemplates Murder" is also available in print.
Sailing the Flying Ship
Set the stage for learning with "Sailing the Flying Ship,"
a conference keynote. Mary's skillful blending of folktales, autobiographical
anecdotes, commentary and questions leave listeners entertained,
refreshed, and ready to accept both the risk and the responsibility
of learning throughout the rest of your conference.
Approximate length: 65 minutes
"Sailing the Flying Ship" is also available on audiocassette.
Some Dog
Those who enjoy down-home humor will enjoy
"Some Dog," the saga of an amazing Kentucky hound. Mary
sets the story on the Kentucky farm of her childhood, populates
it with her family members, and then weaves a plot from three traditional
Kentucky tall tales.
Approximate length: 25 minutes (shorter versions also available)
"Some Dog" is also available on audiocassette
and on CD.
Eleven Cinderellas
Let Mary take you on a storytelling journey
in celebration of the widespread popularity of the Cinderella tale.
Mary begins "Eleven Cinderellas" in Chile with Maria,
the Chilean Cinderella, who encourages her father to marry their
next-door neighbor. After the marriage, Mary announces a cultural
switch to Russia where the next segment of the tale follows the
adventures of the Russian Cinderella, Vasilisa the Beautiful. Between
"once upon a time" and "happily ever after,"
Mary will guide you in and out of the tales of eleven Cinderellas
while leading you through the Cinderella plot just one time. Yes,
"Eleven Cinderellas" is a story-lovers delight!
Approximate length: 27 minutes
"Eleven Cinderellas" is available on CD.
"Eleven Cinderellas is
a storytelling tour de force."
Ted Parkhurst, August House, Inc.
Children of Richard, Rhoda,
and God
We often think we understand what's going
on, but do we? In 1969 two Kentucky teens – one Roman Catholic,
the other Southern Baptist – date. As they struggle to communicate,
misinterpretations - humorous, heart-rending, and thought provoking
- abound. As talk of the need for increased understanding between
the world's nations, cultures, races, and religions swirls around
us, this true story, based on both autobiography and oral history,
helps us acknowledge the challenges of understanding close to home.
Approximate length: 80 minutes
To watch a brief video excerpt, click here.
“She makes it easy to laugh with a
lump in your throat.”
Ed Stivender, storyteller, author, Raised Catholic, Can
You Tell? on hearing “Children of Richard, Rhoda, and
God”
“I would like to thank you
for your excellent performance last week featuring the story Children
of Richard, Rhoda, and God. Seldom have I observed our students
to be so engaged. One could have heard a pin drop.”
Dr. Sonny Burnette, Director, Foust Artist Series
Georgetown College, Georgetown, KY
Promises to Keep
Here's a Civil War story that also includes
romance and ghostly suspense. Drawing upon legends, Mary has created
compelling and poignant historical fiction sure to keep you listening
and hoping for a happy ending.
Approximate length: 8 minutes
"Promises to Keep" is available on audiocassette
and on CD.
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For Families
Mary's performances for families vary greatly
depending on just who is in the audience - ages 8 and up? lots of
teens? lots of preschoolers? grandparents? For family programs Mary
incorporates a mix of stories appropriate for many ages of children
while still providing entertainment for grown-ups. Mary encourages
family members to sit together during family programs so they can
share laughter, share suspense, and easily exchange knowing looks
when stories strike a chord from the family's home life.
Select any of the titles listed to learn
more about stories Mary often tells in family programs:
Princess on the Glass Mountain
"Ride, ride, sliiiiiide. Ride, ride,
sliiiide!" you're likely to chant along as young men urge their
horses up the glass mountain where they hope to win the princess
by taking golden apples from her lap. However, the princess has
her own ideas about who should win the golden apples and her hand
in marriage! When she was ten, this fairy tale was Mary's favorite.
She loves it still, and so will you.
Approximate length: 15 minutes
The Bun
When Mary sees lots of preschoolers in a
family audience, she usually tells "The Bun," a Russian
version of "The Gingerbread Man." With sing-along portions
and repeated motions and phrases, preschoolers and their older siblings
and parents find it easy to join in.
Approximate length: 15 minutes
"The Bun" is available on audiocassette.
Jump Rope Kingdom
Older girls are queens - rulers of the grade
school playground. In this tale, Mary recounts her 1st grade entrance
into the "Jump Rope Kingdom." After hearing this tale,
parents and grandparents often recall games they played as children
while young listeners become all ears eager to listen to their elders'
grade school adventures.
Approximate length: 7 minutes
"Jump Rope Kingdom" is also available on CD.
Listen to a brief audio excerpt here.
Two Men in a Grave
Mary has sent many a family audience home
with this as a closing story. It's suspenseful and funny with a
twist at the end sure to prompt, "But how did the man get out?"
inquiries from youngest family members on the ride home!
Approximate length: 4 minutes
"Two Men in a Grave" is available on CD.
Some Dog
When Mary tells "Some Dog," a tall
tale set on the farm of her childhood and featuring her brothers
and the incredible Some Dog, family members of all ages enjoy the
adventure. Everyone laughs even though the parents, the teens, and
the younger siblings may find different portions to be the most
funny. This story is especially suitable for programs of Kentucky
tales.
Approximate length: 25 minutes
"Some Dog" is also available on audiocassette
and on CD.
Jeff Rides the Rides
Families remember tales about their own family members when they
hear Mary's story of her youngest brother's misguided adventure
at the Meade County Fair.
Approximate Length: 5 minutes
"Jeff Rides the Rides" is available on audiocassette
and on CD.
The Farmer's Daughter
She's clever. She's smart. The farmer's daughter
takes charge of her life while saving her Daddy's farm and marrying
the king. This Kentucky variant of a widespread folktale appeals
to all ages.
Approximate length: 12 minutes
"The Farmer's Daughter" is available on audiocassette
and on CD.
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For Students Preschool through Grade 12
For students, Mary selects tales from her
repertoire especially appropriate for various grade levels, curriculum
connections, and interests. School representatives should also feel
free to talk with Mary about curriculum themes. Here is a list of
some program theme possibilities with appropriate grade levels.
Please note that when multiple grade levels are listed, this means
Mary's repertoire will support the creation of different programs
for different ages with that theme, not that primary through high
school would receive the same program!
For teachers, Mary has created “Storytelling
and Kentucky Core Content for Assessment – a Guide for
Teachers” to
help you integrate her performances with your ongoing instruction.
Although activities are specifically correlated with the general
curriculum in Kentucky, schools anywhere could use the activities.
To receive your complimentary copy of this eleven-page guide, contact
Mary with
your request.
Some program possibilities include:
- All Together Now
- children chant along, sing along, and join in. Preschool
- Grade 3
- Telling Stories...
Creating Worlds - stories to suit each audience. Preschool
- Grade 12
- Kentucky Tales
- a celebration of Kentucky's narrative traditions - folktales,
tall tales, ghostly tales and personal narratives. Grades 1
- 12
- Appalachian Tales
- Grades K - 12
- Stories the World Over
- folktales from a variety of cultures. Grades K - 12
- Once Upon a Time and Happily Ever
After - a selection of Mary's favorite
fairy tales. Grades 1 - 12
- What Really Happened - true
stories and personal narratives. Grades 3 - 7
- Sisters All
- folktales and true tales of girls and women. Grades 4 - 12
- I See Where This is Going!
- folktales that follow the same pattern. Grades 2 - 8
- Tales of Athena
- Greek myths featuring the goddess Athena. Grades 6 - 9
- Children of Richard, Rhoda, and
God - Grades 10-12
- Sailing the Flying Ship
- Grades 7 - 12
- Have a Theme?
Discuss your idea with Mary. If her repertoire cannot support
the theme, she will say so. If she knows a teller with that specialty,
she will recommend them to you.
Select any titles listed below to learn more about a few of the
many stories Mary tells for different grade levels. In addition
to your student group, you may also want to look at the stories
just above and just below.
Preschool and Young Primary
Primary
Intermediate
Middle School
High School
The Bun
Youngsters sing along as Bun escapes foe
after foe in this Russian folktale. Mary incorporates repeated motions
and spoken phrases too making it easy for your students to join
in the telling of this variant of "The Gingerbread Man."
Approximate length: 15 minutes
"The Bun" is also available on audiocassette.
Drakestail
"Quack, quack, quack, I want my money
back" your students will sing-along with Drakestail, the business
duck, as he travels to the king's palace. When Drakestail arrives,
the king wants him killed! Tension builds within a strong, yet predictable,
plot that allows your students the pleasure of anticipating how
Drakestail will escape the king.
Approximate length: 15 minutes
"Drakestail" is available on audiocassette.
Princess on the Glass Mountain
When Mary was ten, this was her favorite
story. She read it over and over and over again, almost wearing
out the school library book that included it. Today, Mary enlivens
this Norwegian story with repeated sound effects, chanting, and
gestures while audiences join in with enthusiasm. This classic fairy
tale of a youngest brother who wins the hand of an amazing princess
might remind you and your students of "Cinderella" - if
Cinderella were a boy!
Approximate length: 15 minutes
Kate Crackernuts
When Annie goes for a walk with her stepmother,
she comes home with a sheep's head in place of her own - just as
her stepmother had planned. Kate Crackernuts, Annie's stepsister,
sets off with Annie to restore her beauty. Your students will be
enchanted by the tale of courage and step-sisterly love.
Approximate length: 20 minutes
"Kate Crackernuts" is available on CD.
Stormwalker
Storms terrify young Roberta Simpson until
Jim Cravens, an older neighbor becomes her Stormwalker. Then Jim
becomes ill and unable to walk with her. One day, a tornado . .
. Suspenseful, poignant, and 100% true.
Mary retells "Stormwalker" with the permission of Roberta
Simpson Brown. To read Roberta's recounting of these events, see
"Storm Walker" in The Walking Trees and Other Scary
Stories, published by August House, 1991.
Approximate length: 10 minutes
"Stormwalker" is available on audiocassette
and CD.
Who's the Biggest?
An eagle swooped from the sky and grasped
a full-grown bull in its talons. Then the eagle flew away looking
for a place to land and enjoy its meal. Not far away, the eagle
spotted an inviting flat spot between the horns of a goat. …
When Mary retells this amazing tale, your students' imaginations
will receive a workout as each new image causes them to readjust
their ideas in their search to discover just "Who IS the Biggest?"
Approximate length: 10 minutes, plus post-story discussion
Three Sisters and the Troll
After two sisters meet horrible fates at
the hands of the Troll, your students will take heart at the youngest
sister's survival, silently cheering her on as she finally outwits
her adversary. Her strength? She pays attention, then uses her wits
to make use of her observations. Mary believes that makes her a
worthwhile heroine indeed!
Approximate length: 20 minutes
"Three Sisters and the Troll" is available on CD.
The Woman in Brown
A ghostly, yet gentle, realistic folktale,
"Woman in Brown" combines suspense with a satisfying,
heart-warming ending.
Approximate length: 5 minutes
"Woman in Brown" is available on audiocassette
and on CD.
The Beaded Bag
A traveler picks up a hitchhiker. The hitchhiker looks cold so the
traveler loans something to keep the hitchhiker warm. Upon reaching
the hitchhiker's destination, both hitchhiker and loaned item are
missing. The traveler learns the hitchhiker always looks for rides
on the anniversary of death. The loaned item is found at the hitchhiker's
grave. Sound familiar? Those are the bones of the widespread urban
legend known as "the vanishing hitchhiker." In "The
Beaded Bag" Mary has moved this old favorite to Victorian times.
If your students are familiar with "the vanishing hitchhiker"
they will notice how the setting influences story details. They
will also enjoy the plot twist Mary includes while staying within
the longstanding tale's traditional plot path. If they do not know
the underlying story, they will experience a captivating ghostly
tale giving them an introduction to this classic urban legend.
Approximate length: 9 minutes
"The Beaded Bag" is available on CD.
Medusa
Yes, she's the one with snakes for hair,
but how did a once beautiful young woman become known as a monster?
Mary tired of seeing the "Medusa" story bear her name,
but tell only about Perseus. In Mary's retelling of the tale, Perseus
still has his hero's role to play, but your students will hear much
more about Medusa than usual.
Approximate length: 20 minutes
Children of Richard, Rhoda,
and God
Teens are captivated by this true tale of
two Kentucky teenagers, not unlike themselves. Both are oldest children
in farming families, both make good grades, but she's Roman Catholic
and he's Southern Baptist. They do attend one another's church services
and believe they understand what they have observed there, but misinterpretations
- both humorous and heart-rending - abound. Here's a tale of humor,
joy, and heartbreak that will have your students thinking about
communication and pondering the challenges that lie before them
as people from different cultures and religions struggle to understand
one another - both far away and close to home. Mary based this story
on a combination of autobiography and oral history interviews.
Approximate length: 80 minutes
To watch a brief video excerpt, click here.
Like Meat Loves Salt
"How much do you love me?" is the
question no parent should ask of a child, but Shakespeare has Lear
ask it of his daughters in "King Lear" and the king in
this Appalachian folktale shows no more wisdom. This tale of a misunderstood
daughter cast out of her family home strikes a chord with students
on the edge of independence - wanting to both break from and stay
connected to their own parents.
Approximate length: 18 minutes
Sailing the Flying Ship - a
Storytelling Keynote
If you are planning a conference for teens,
why not begin it with "Sailing the Flying Ship," stories
and thoughts on navigating life? Mary weaves together folktales,
personal stories, commentary, and strategically placed questions
in this thought provoking presentation. Your conference participants
will be entertained and ready to take the risks and accept the responsibilities
of learning throughout the rest of your conference.
Approximate length: 70 minutes (don't worry; the audience is not
seated the entire time!)
"Sailing the Flying Ship" is available on audiocassette.
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HOME/PROGRAMS/ABOUT
MARY/STORY
STORE/ARTICLES/WHAT'S
NEW?
Mary
Hamilton, Professional Storyteller
65 Springhill Road, Frankfort, KY 40601-9211
Phone & Fax: 1-800-438-4390
Email:
mary@maryhamilton.info
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