When people gather round a table, when they share what they know of life through tales of heroes and villains, of action and transformation - that's storytelling. Whether they tell of their own lives, or myths that have inspired for thousands of years, or new urban tales - that's storytelling.
Storytelling is essential for life.
That's why Jo tells stories - because history and fairy tales and all the other stories express fundamental truths, emotion, and joy in life. And Jo brings those stories to life, with drama, passion, and humour.
hi Jo can you come again I love your story's they are the best story's I ever seen in my life. I loved the first story and then the second story and then the third story Thank you so much
from charlotte
Who is the audience?
Adults
Families
School children
Preschoolers
People With Disabilities
Seniors
Gifted and Talented
Tertiary students - librarianship, tour guiding, heritage, education
Special interest groups in
Libraries
Museums
Heritage sites
Historical Societies
Gardens and outdoor sites
What sort of stories?
Historical
Fairy Tales
Ghost Stories
Epics
Myths
Legends
Folktales
Literary Stories
Mysteries
Romance
Science Fiction
Australian Yarns
What performances and projects has Jo done?
International performances in
1001 Nights (Toronto),
St John’s Storytelling Festival (Newfoundland) 2017;
Faro Storytelling festival (Portugal) 2015;
New Delhi (India) four schools, one library 2014;
Edinburgh Cafe Voices,
Hafnafjordur Story Slam, Ballyeamon 2012;
Gothenburg (Sweden) Storytelling Café,
Stavanger (Norway),
UK Storytelling circles: Much Wenlock, Frome and Cardiff 2011.
Heritage sites
Roman Festival Australian National Maritime Museum 2017;
Lullaby of White Horses Elizabeth Farm, History Week 2005;
Tale Tour of the Rocks History Week 2006
Festivals
Warm Cider Festival June 2018, 2019;
Rookwood Open Day 2014;
Centennial Park Open Day 2009,
Kitchen Garden, Festival of the Olive, Out of the Woodwork, Eryldene;
National Folk Festival 2002, 2004, 2005,
Gulgong, Patonga, St Albans, National Celtic, Majors Creek, Jamberoo;
Cativ8 Peace May 2014,
Sydney Children’s Festival 2010,
Norman Lindsay Festival of Children’s Literature
Conference performances
Keeping It Real conference Albury 2016;
Australian Fairy Tale conference 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020;
IBBY India conference 2014;
Asia-Oceanic Regional IBBY Congress Bali 2013;
International Museum Theatre Alliance conference Canberra 2005
Stories in the Garden (9 schools) community garden concert for Prosper (charity). Winner of Zest “Out of the Box” award 2016.
National Trust: Tales and Tunes program 2007
Plus many schools, preschools, libraries, School Holiday Activities, seniors groups.
What is Jo working on now?
World Storytelling Day 20 March 2021 in Windsor Lake Macquarie Museum of Art and Gallery Sculpture Garden Story Quest She Saw - Feisty Girls and Fierce Women School Holiday Activity Season of Australian Fairy Tales