For more information:
Rob Price, Director of Marketing (Media calls)
602.243.8030

‘A World of Wonder:  Folktales for Grownups,' Begins Jan. 31

South Mountain Community College Storytelling Institute Presents Three-Part Series About Heroes, Wisdom, and Practical Jokers

Heroes and bravery, wisdom and insight, and practical jokers that come in animal or human form....these are just a sample of some of what you’ll experience during the upcoming series, “A World of Wonder: Folktales for Grownups,” at South Mountain Community College, Jan. 31, Feb. 28, and April 4. 

Storytelling Institute Faculty Members Doug Bland, Shelle Hawn, Ricardo Provencio, and LynnAnn Wojciechowicz will  host the  free Wednesday night performances in the Studio Theatre at college, 7050 S. 24th St. (just north of Baseline Road).   All performances are at 6:30 pm.
 
“One of the goals of the SMCC Storytelling Institute is to teach people that storytelling is not just for children; it is for grownups, too.  This series was designed in part to achieve this goal,” Wojciechowicz said. “The series will provide a great opportunity for students to hear some of the folktale types they will be studying told by professional storytellers in a concert setting.”  
 
On Jan. 31, the  storytellers will perform “Trickster Tales”  -- focusing on the human, animal or divine characters that bring about chaos and disorder.  “Trickster stories invite us to laugh and to ponder our own tricky tendencies,” Wojciechowicz noted.
 
The series will continue on Feb. 28 with “Hero Tales.”  “All cultures have stories of brave heroes who persevere through trials to take their rightful place in the world. The hero, whether male or female, inspires us to keep the faith and to honor our own journeys,” according to Wojciechowicz.
 
The Folktales series will wrap up on April 4 with “Wisdom Tales,” featuring stories that connect us to the wisdom of the ages.  “Wisdom tales show us how to honor both the light and darkness, the loss and reclamation of life.”
 
The featured stories will be followed by a discussion of the primary characteristics and themes. Late-comers will not be seated once the featured stories have begun.

To learn more about this series and about the SMCC Storytelling Institute, go to:
 http://finearts.southmountaincc.edu/Programs/Storytelling/.

For information about  this or other SMCC performances, call the Performing Arts Hotline:  602.243.8353

SMCC Storytelling Institute:  602.243.8022
http://finearts.southmountaincc.edu/Programs/Storytelling/