Storyteller Directory
Storytellers offer many services including performances, workshops, and presentation coaching. Below are storytellers who have chosen to advertise their talents here. We hope you will consider them the next time you are looking for a storyteller. We recommend that references be checked before committing to a contract with any performer. Fees may vary widely. Storytellers listed from further distances should be considered, as storytellers frequently travel for work. Storytellers, to purchase/submit a listing, click here.
Charleston, West Virginia
Originally from Japan, Karin Amano was trained in Japanese traditional song, dance, and theater. In 1991, she moved to NYC to study Educational Theater at NYU and performed in off-off Broadway productions. She was a full-time storyteller and actor at Walt Disney World for 11 years, where she still performs annually at Epcot’s Japan Pavilion for International Festival of the Holidays. She has been telling Japanese folktales in number of settings including various cultural festivals, schools, and libraries all over the U.S. She is board member of the National Storytelling Network’s Special Interest Group YES! (Youth, Educators, Storytellers).
Lareina Bierley
7456 Mount Carmel Road Flemingsburg, KY 41041
606-584-7313
www.covenantbooks.com/books/?book=banjo
Published Appalachian non-fiction children’s author, and retired teacher. Lareina Bierley has presented to numerous elementary and middle school students about topics derived from her book, ‘Banjo’ such as farm life, pets, disabilities, insecurities, bullying, family values, kindness, academic athletes, and the love of writing and reading. She holds a master’s degree in K-8 education and a minor in history, along with three Rank I degrees in administration.
Lareina attributes her love of storytelling to her generational Lewis County, Kentucky farming family and community members who have the gift of gab. She can make you laugh one moment and pull at your heartstrings the next.
Joel C. Brashear
95 Meadow Lane, Hyden, KY 41749
606-422-6605
Joel Brashear shares stories rooted in the hills of Appalachia, rich with humor, heart, and a touch of mystery. He blends traditional mountain tales, original haint stories, and true experiences from his own Kentucky life. Joel’s storytelling connects with audiences of all ages through laughter, memory, and a love of local tradition. His stories fit any setting, from classrooms and festivals to churches and community events, offering culture, entertainment, and inspiration.
Michael Breeze
Morehead, KY
breezestorytelling@gmail.com
Michael Breeze is a master storyteller who helps libraries, schools, and communities create unforgettable live events that increase attendance and deepen engagement.
Drawing on over 40 years of performance expertise, Michael blends his Master's degree in Communications/Theatre with the authenticity of a seasoned actor and licensed Pastor.
His performances—from his widely acclaimed one-man reading of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol (celebrating 25 years) to his theatrical work and faith-based speaking—are renowned for their ability to engage hearts, challenge minds, and connect diverse audiences.
Born and raised in Kentucky, he brings a masterful repertoire of characters, voices, and stories that showcase his down-home humor and sharp wit.
Ed Bryson
205 Hillbrook Dr., Nicholasville, KY 40356
859-489-9417
edbryson@me.com
freshwindmedia.com/Cast_A_Story.html
C. Edwin Bryson grew up in Brevard, North Carolina from where his family made frequent trips to the Bryson home place on the banks of the Tuckaseegee River that flows through Cullowhee and Bryson City. So nurtured was he by a rich spiritual heritage, he grew up to become an ordained minister. He lives now with his family near Lexington, Kentucky where he is an adjunct professor, writes, and tells stories. He is a member of the Kentucky Storytelling Association.
7511 River Road, Prospect, KY 40059
502-558-8717
Terry Chambers is a historical storyteller focusing on lesser-known Kentucky women whose lives shaped the Commonwealth’s social, cultural, and river history. Her work blends original research, regional lore, and first-person performance to bring history to life for contemporary adult audiences. She is also the author of Rose Island: An Almost Accurate Account of Days Gone By and short story, The Escape, winner in the Louisville Literary Arts' 2023 Writers Block anthology contest.
Her 'Remarkable Kentucky Women' series includes stories of the Petticoat Abolitionist Delia Ann Webster, steamboat master Mary Millicent Miller, and the Mother of Bourbon, Mary A. Dowling. With additional women’s stories always in development, Chambers performs for libraries, museums, historical societies, conferences, and festivals. Her performances are both entertaining and educational, offering engaging, place-based storytelling grounded in Kentucky history.
Thomas Freese
PO Box 99218, Louisville, KY 40269
502-439-7720
info@thomaslfreese.com
www.ThomasLFreese.com
Thomas Freese is a wonderful storyteller — author of nine books of ghost stories including Shaker Ghost Stories, Fog Swirler, Strange and Wonderful Things, Ghosts, Spirits and Angels, and Haunted Battlefields of the South. He entertains with animated voice and movement, performing for children and adults. He has performed from Ashland to Argentina. Thomas plays guitar, harmonica and other instruments, creating songs and telling a variety of story programs in English or Spanish-Pourquois tales, origami stories, silly stories and songs, winter tales, ghosts, desert southwest, fairy tales and folk stories. Pick any of his 20 educational and entertaining story programs!
W.I. "Bill" Hairston
P.O. Box 4466, Charleston, WV 25364
304-546-7786
Among his many endeavors is his work as the Entertainment/Music Coordinator at the Stonewall Jackson Jubilee for 35 years. His stories and songs embody the rich Appalachian culture that he was exposed to as a child along the Coal River in West Virginia. He has been the moderator of the West Virginia Liar’s Contest for several years. Within his interpretations, he frequently weaves the contributions of African Americans to Appalachian history and culture. He has performed in schools, libraries and other venues throughout the region. Bill developed the elementary school program, “We Are One.”
1308 Lago Drive, Frankfort, KY 40601-4632
502-223-4523
marystory@earthlink.net
www.maryhamilton.info
Mary grew up on a Kentucky farm where "telling stories" was considered sinful, but conversations that flowed from one story to another were how everyone talked. Audiences from Florida to Alaska– students in schools, families in libraries, adults in theaters– have enjoyed her "just talking" storytelling style. Her professional colleagues in the National Storytelling Network presented her with a Circle of Excellence ORACLE award. Kentucky's school librarians honored her work with a Jesse Stuart Media Award. University Press of Kentucky published Kentucky Folktales, her award-winning book. See videos of her storytelling on her website. She'd love to tell for you!
Jerry Hicks
Flemingsburg, KY
606-845-2312
story@thejerrysfarm.com
Jerry Hicks is a published author, artist, and agrarian storyteller who knows how to hold a crowd with a good tale. Raised at the head of a holler in Carter County, Kentucky, Jerry grew up on front-porch stories—soaking up family lore, the trials of subsistence farming, and local mischief from the colorful folks around him.
A Berea College art graduate and longtime Rural Heritage columnist, Jerry is the author and illustrator of Out Past the Gatepost, the first book in his Tales from Carter County series. Today, he puts ancestral knowledge to work on his Fleming County farm, plowing fields behind a team of mules.
Co-hosting the Old Washington Wordsmiths open mic events, Jerry brings his blend of dry humor, author readings, and authentic mountain lore to community gatherings and heritage festivals. Drawing straight from a lifetime of working the land, his stories strike a chord with anyone who appreciates a clever yarn, honest labor, and a true sense of place.
3874 Rome Drive, Lafayette, IN 47905
765-449-4742 765-479-1049
traditionalstories@hotmail.com
Jos N. Holman provides a literary experience in the oral tradition that is fun, participatory, and engaging. His polished storytelling presentation brings enthusiasm, energy and exhilaration to interactions with children of all ages. Specializing in multicultural folktales, he has an expertise in introducing poetry and nursery rhymes to youth. Jos is a former children’s librarian who received the Coleen Salley award from the Univ. of Southern Mississippi. He has performed for summer reading programs, library celebrations and Black History Month. Jos presently lives in Lafayette, IN with his wife working in a local public library.
Mary Jo Huff
6677 Oakland Court, Newburgh, IN 47630
812-455-1558
maryjo@storytellin.com
www.storytellin.com
Mary Jo Huff is an Early Childhood consultant, published author, storyteller and recording artist who is recognized nationally for her wit, humor, and storytelling talents. "Storytelling with Puppets, Props, and Playful Tales" received the coveted Pegasus award from the National Youth Storytelling Network and a Parent's Choice Award.
Ray mendenhall
1125 Lexington Rd. Apt 3003, Wilmore, KY 40390
859-940-1735
rwmend@gmail.com
Ray Mendenhall comes from a family of storytellers. Humorous stories and family anecdotes filled his childhood and youth. For 20 years now, Ray has been telling professionally in venues across North and South Carolina and Kentucky. Following the "jolly man" tradition, he mixes amazing songs and whimsical stories into a celebration of the storytelling art. His infectious humor and easy style has engaged audiences in Festivals, schools, libraries, conferences, civic clubs and State Fairs. He has won medals for musical performance in the NC Senior Silver Arts Competition, several storytelling contests and the Bold-faced Liars Showdown in Laurinburg, NC.
Octavia Sexton
874 Big Cave Road, Orlando, KY 40460-9700
606-256-9796
606-386-2166
octaviasexton@windstream.net
www.octaviasexton.com
A native of eastern Kentucky, Octavia grew up in a rich tradition of storytelling. Her genuine Appalachian dialect and love for her Kentucky Mountains are the magic that brings her stories to life. She is a master storyteller and experienced teaching artist. Literary great Loyal Jones says, "Octavia is one of our few, true folk artists and her performances are authentic representations of the tradition from which she comes." Her stories carry the listener into the mountains of eastern Kentucky- where haints chill your blood, Jack tickles your funny bone, and the hills and hollers are full of surprises.
Anne Shelby
15705 North Hwy 11, Oneida, KY 40972-6242
606-847-4792
606-272-1304
annegshelby@gmail.com
Whether you’re planning an event for children, adults or both, celebrating a holiday, promoting an idea, or lining up the entertainment, Anne Shelby shows up with stories just right for the occasion.
Shelby’s storytelling draws on a wide-ranging repertoire of revisited folk and fairy tales, stories found in familiar places in Kentucky, and stories from faraway Italy, Russia, South America and Japan.
Developed over years of telling stories in elementary schools, libraries, festivals and senior living facilities, Shelby’s style combines a contemporary point of view with the traditional ways of talking and telling she heard growing up in Southeastern Kentucky.
Don Ray Smith
9014 Hurstbourne Ln., Louisville, KY 40220
(502) 499-5664
(502) 297-7929
donthewriter@mac.com
donraysmith.net
Don Ray Smith does humor, specializing in contemporary stories for adult audiences. His slice-of-life original tales are not only funny. His experiences--some totally true and some totally tall tale -- offer up a wide range of amusement and insight. From truth to absurdity. Heartfelt lessons to gotcha irony. Social commentary to episodes of personal face-falling.
Stories run from 3 to 15 minutes each. Some even are punctuated and mood-driven by his bongos. Sets usually run 45 minutes to a full hour.
Don's repertoire also includes a longer performance, his one-hour, one-man play, "Growing Up White on Wilson." His true boyhood story, with Don Ray playing nearly one dozen characters, explores how racism is taught and how it is overcome. 'Growing Up' is non-confrontational but still delivers messages that are relevant for today's world. It’s humor and heartfelt drama, all in one.
Paul Strickland
837 Greer St. Apt 5, Covington, KY 41011
(615) 969-7870
paulstricklandartsyou@gmail.com
ainttrue.com
"An hour spent with master storyteller Paul Strickland is an hour well spent, and one you should not miss.” – Cincinnati Enquirer.
Paul Strickland is a full-time touring storyteller who was Featured at the National Storytelling Festival in 2023 and a Teller-in-Residence at the International Storytelling Center in 2024.
Paul’s heartfelt and hilarious original tall-tales, reupholstered folk tales and thought-provoking songs have been performed in virtually every imaginable environment, from Off-Broadway to elementary schools, libraries, and even two prisons - where he was NOT an inmate at the time. Selections from his funny-forward performances can be heard on Sirius/XM Radio.