Lynn Rubright - Internationally Acclaimed Storytelling Artist, Keynoter, Educator!
Meet Lynn
Lynn Rubright is a consummate performance artist. For years she has demonstrated the power of STORY to audiences the world over. With her humorous, inspirational style, Lynn is a popular workshop leader and keynote speaker. Illustrating concepts from her book, Beyond the Beanstalk (Heinemann, 1996), Lynn shows how the art of storytelling can enrich and change lives personally and professionally.
More about Lynn Rubright
Awarded a 1996 Circle of Excellence Award for Exceptional Commitment and Exemplary Contribution to the Art of Storytelling by the National Storytelling Association, Lynn is a storyteller / performance artist, educator, speaker, work- shop leader and author. Her high-energy, humorous performance style both captivates and inspires audiences of all ages.
As a master teacher, Lynn's hands-on approach shows innovative ways to use the expressive arts to connect academic areas. She instructs practicing teachers and teachers-to-be at Webster University in St. Louis; her graduate level storytelling course, started in 1971, is said to be the longest running course on this topic in the United States. She has taught in schools across America as well as abroad. Based on her many personal experiences in public and private schools, she has written an award winning book, "Beyond the Beanstalk," for every- one who wants to use stories for learning and teaching. Affectionately known as the "Godmother of Storytelling," Lynn brings with her over 35 years experience teaching, entertaining and entrancing audiences throughout the world.
"Her classroom is a place of discovery, of celebration, of growth" Rives B. Collins, Associate Professor of Drama, Northwestern University, Evanston IL
Career Highlights - Lynn Rubright
- Creator of the children's opera, Little Red the Folktale Hen, debuted by Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
- One-woman multimedia performances for the Missouri Historical Society, St. Louis; Young Audiences; and St. Louis Art Museum
- Cofounder in 1975 of The St. Louis Storytelling Festival
- Cofounder in 1973 of the internationally-acclaimed Metro Theater Co., a touring children's theatre group
- Featured teller, National Storytelling Festival, Jonesborough, TN
- Former board member, National Storytelling Association
- Visiting professor of drama, Northwestern University, Drake University, Des Moines and the University of Alaska, Anchorage, among others
- Performer, International Folklore Association international conference, Budapest, Hungary
- Solo storytelling concert for the President of Iceland, Reykjavik
- Pinch hitter for former first lady Barbara Bush at a literacy conference in Des Moines
- Artist-in-residence at Martin Luther King Lab school, Evanston, IL and at many other schools and school districts
- Performer, host for ABC television, PBS and featured guest on NPR stations in St. Louis
- Performer, Academy of the Sacred Heart, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan; St. Paul's (Minn.) Academy, and North Shore Country Day School, Winnetka, IL, among many other private schools
- Creator of Project TELL (Teaching English through Living Language) the nation's first federally-funded storytelling demonstration program for a suburban St. Louis school district
- Speaker/presenter, National Council Teachers of English; International Reading Assn. and American Alliance for Theatere and Education
Lynn's Programs
All programs can be adjusted to diferent age groups
Lynn's Family Album
Immensely popular tales from Lynn's own life and travels. They inspire, motivate and make you laugh as they celebrate family strength. Includes: "Have a Plan and Work Your Plan"; "Feathers"; "Hot Potatoes"; and "Eyes in the Back of Your Head."
Peeks into Missouri's Past
Lynn spins a mosaic of nineteenth century legends, lore, tall tales and true stories that have shaped Missouri. Choose from "Bally Sally Cato," Ozark monster story; "Who's Got the Bones of Daniel and Rebecca Boone?"; "Mike Fink's Dance with a Bull"; "Blackhawk at War"; and "Heroes, Heroines and Outlaws of the Civil War"
Heartland Memories
Poignant tales of growing up in the Midwest in the early 1900's. This rich and diverse program includes, among other stories, "Auction Sale" and "Little Joe Rooks" by beloved Missouri author, Jean Bell Mosley.
Icelandic Treasures
Revel in the glory of the great Norse gods and goddesses! Includes "Thor's Hammer, Lost and Found"; Lynn's haunting version of "The Seal Skin" and "The
Lynn Spins the Globe!
Using improvisation plus audience participation and interaction, Lynn tells native American stories such as "Rabbit's Tale" and "Woodpecker's Song"; "How the Moon Got into the Sky," an Ananse tale from Ghana; "Jack's Beanstalk" from England; German tales from the Brothers Grimm; and fables from Greece and Asia.
Lynn's Keynote Speeches
• Storytelling - A Pathway to Literacy
• The Power of STORY in Our Lives
In programs designed to meet each client's needs, Lynn blends personal stories, historical vignettes, lore, legend, folk and fairy tales from around the world. Her stories demonstrate the importance of compassion, understanding, forgiveness, joy, laughter, and personal responsibility in our lives. She helps audiences
Lynn Rubright - Workshops
Learning Tales to Tell - Quick and Easy!
Lynn demonstrates how short tales can be rapidly learned and polished for solo performances or story-theatre. An invaluable technique for all storytellers, whether novice or professional.
Improvisational Playmaking: Puppets Alive!
A favorite workshop! Puppets you've made with common craft materials become leads in plays you create. Join in improvisational exercises based on fables from around the word to make the puppets come alive. An exciting, fun way to develop oral and writing skills.
Beyond the Beanstalk - Storyweaving' and More!
Stretch your creative writing muscles as you develop and act out sequels to traditional stories through entertaining, interactive story-building games. Develops skills in language arts, social studies, and art.
Focus on Family Folklore
Personal stories have the power to build values and self-awareness, and also to shape a sense of community belonging! This workshop shows how to do basic family research and personal journaling as well as write and share stories about one's own family.
Bring History, Lore and Legend to Life
Research into historical and legendary events brings surprising classroom results in the form of storytelling ideas, play writing, reader's theatre, and informal multimedia productions.
