Weber State Hosts 24th Annual Storytelling Festival
OGDEN, Utah – Storytellers will gather to share tales with audiences of all ages at Weber State University’s 24th annual Storytelling Festival, Feb. 24-26. All events are free and open to the public.
The unique festival features national, regional and youth storytellers who perform in venues across Weber, Davis and Morgan counties. This year’s theme will be “In My Shoes.”
“The Storytelling Festival brings together families, children and the community to celebrate the power of story,” said Stephanie Speicher, festival chair and teacher education assistant professor. “The festival offers something for people of all ages to connect and engage with. It grows a little more each year and is always a highlight.”
The festival will feature renowned storytellers Kuniko Yamamoto, Bobby Norfolk and Sherry Norfolk. Yamamoto is best known for her creative depictions of traditional Japanese folktales using masks, origami, musical instruments and mime. Bobby and Sherry Norfolk are a storytelling duo known for bringing familiar stories to life while integrating educational content.
The storytellers are selected from around the world, allowing them to tell captivating stories infused with their own culture and life experience.
The festival is unique because it combines the talents of both professional and youth storytellers.
More than 12,000 children attend the Storytelling Festival and hundreds prepare and tell stories in their school districts, making it the largest youth storytelling festival of its kind in the country. In addition, 60-70 students are chosen as storytellers to share the stage with distinguished professional storytellers.
WSU will host several performances and events during the festival. All events are free and open to the public.
Feb. 24, Peery's Egyptian Theater (2415 Washington Blvd., Ogden).
6:30 p.m. - Bedtime Stories: an evening of traditional tales to spark imagination and sweet dreams.
7:30 p.m. - Spooky Campfire Tales: enjoy a selection of stories inspired by old campfire tales.
Feb. 25, Shepherd Union Wildcat Theater.
1:30 p.m. - WSU Online & Continuing Education marketing director Shane Farver will share his story, “From Climbing Mountains to Climbing Stairs,” chronicling his journey following a spinal-cord injury.
Feb. 26, Davis Conference Center (1651 N. 700 W., Layton).
6:30 p.m. - Family Fun Night: an evening of stories the whole family can enjoy.
7:30 p.m. - National Storytellers Showcase: distinguished storytellers will wrap up the festival with a celebration of stories, imagination and memories.
This year’s festival is held in collaboration with WSU’s Engaged Learning Series. The series is a collaborative cross-campus effort to host events and lectures that bring multiple perspectives to a single issue, and engage students, faculty, staff and community in discussion, learning and action.
For more information about the Storytelling Festival, visit weber.edu/storytelling
For photos from the 2019 event, visit the following link.
wsuucomm.smugmug.com/2019-Storytelling-Festival
Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University.
Shaylee Stevens, Office of Marketing & Communications
801-626-7948 • shayleestevens@weber.edu- Contact:
Stephanie Speicher, Storytelling Festival chair and Teacher Education assistant professor
801-626-6214 • stephaniespeicher@weber.edu