Education for Storytelling: Children in Creative Arts
Storytelling evolved in me as an outgrowth of work with and for children in creative drama, poetry, theatre, film and radio. The birth of my grandchildren propelled me into this oral performance tradition.
My earliest performances began at street fairs and malls. I adopted a storytelling persona “The Fairy Godmother” to work regularly at Children’s Fairyland (Oakland).
After touring my musical play for children, The Story of the Chicken Made of Rags, for which my brother, Philip Serrano, composed the music, the time came for this popular Serrano Caribbean folk tale to be recorded. My son, 5-time Grammy Award nominee Greg Landau, assembled a group of prominent musicians including singer Holly Near, the Nicaraguan Atlantic Coast band Soul Vibrations, John Santos, and Barbara Dane, and produced the CD available through this web site. (Click here to preview and/or buy).
In the 1990’s I served as storytelling director for Stagebridge, a senior theatre company developing storytelling in the schools programs. I taught classes for storytellers, trained teachers and worked in the schools and senior centers.
In the 21st century I began Stagebridge bilingual storytelling programs at senior residences and centers. In 2002 I wrote my Master’s thesis on “The Storytelling Movement And The Need For New Myths” (Naropa University). I wrote the Stagebridge manual PASS IT ON! How to Start Your Own Storytelling Program in the School.
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