International Ethnic Tales

Performing Artist: Tom McCormack
© 1996 (Revised 2008)

During this storytelling presentation, Mr. McCormack plays music on a different ethnic instrument with each tale from a different country. He plays the didgeridoo with an Australian myth. Story Dreamer concludes by playing music on multiple instruments at the same time! This performance is an adventure in cultural diversity. (The performance runs 45-90 minutes)

Note: Tom will confer with teachers ahead of time to determine what countries their classes are studying, then he will perform stories from those cultures. 

References:
"I really enjoyed the effective expressions and dramatizations, and particularly the Ethos of the legends that was interwoven with indigenous languages. In particular, you gave insight to your audience about the identity of indigenous peoples fore-bearers. Kia Kana (Go Forth In Strength)" 
Wrote an Elder from the Maori Marae Masterton District Library ~ Masterton, New Zealand

"We enjoyed how the stories themselves, the actions, and sounds entertained the children. The stories were very good." "I enjoyed the personal nature of the stories!" "What I found effective was how he included audience participation in the storytelling." "I like how he relayed his stories as it was from his childhood. The children really liked him!"
Jesse Beck Elementary School ~ Reno, Nevada

 

Native American Stories with Cedar Flute Music

Performing Artist: Tom McCormack
© 1989 (Revised 2008)

McCormack shape-changes into different creatures through this animated performance that includes clapper-stick, rattle and drum. These stories are endorsed by tribal elders and leaders from Native American communities across North America. Legend-teller draws on over 50 hours of tribal tales from his extensive repertoire. These myth's come from a time when the animals were people and could talk to each other. (The performance runtime is 45-60 minutes) Sample Video

Note: Tom will confer with teachers ahead of time to determine what tribes their classes are studying, then he will perform stories from those tribes. 

References:
"I was very impressed with the cultural experience you shared. The stories, songs, music and indigenous objects all came together through the Medicine Power. You brought the ancestral time and traditional places into our event through your storytelling."
Leon Jett (Festival Organizer) Eiteljorge Native American Museum (2002 Indian Market Festival)  Indianapolis, Indiana

The teachers from Lukachukai Navajo Boarding School in Arizona wrote:
"I enjoyed how the children's stories related to children everywhere."
"What I found effective during your storytelling program was how it was appealing, relevant, kept their interests and the humor".
"The Native-American instruments you played was very creative and motivating". "The storytelling was very effective because all of the students were interested and listened!"

"What I found effective was him acting out parts of the stories. I enjoyed his H. C. Anderson tale (The Tinder Box) , the tree-house story and the teen bull-riding tale."
Lemmon Valley Elementary School ~ Reno, Nevad

WOW! Your name is "a blast from the past"!! Your visit to East Helena was very special and spiritual. We all had such a grand time listening to your stories of life. I hope to schedule you in for 2011 summer reading program.

Diane Potter
Branch Librarian
Lewis & Clark Library System Helena
MT 59635

 

Pioneer History
Re-Enactment With Native American Perspectives

Performing Artist: Tom McCormack © 1989 (Revised 2008)

This program has numerous distinct dialoging characters with Native American interaction from Missouri to Oregon. Tom's refreshing rendering of the pioneer journey contains Native American perspectives. Old west and native objects enhance the ambience of this program. A native legend is shared by a medicine person along the way. An Applegate Trail variation is included. A California Trail assembly program is also available. (The performance runtime is 45-60 minutes)

There is an interactive window halfway through each assembly and a question and answer period at the conclusion.

References:

"Mr. McCormack has obviously done much research to prepare for these presentations. Excellent!" 
(following a Young Audiences performance) Comments from the Principal at Buttonwillow Elementary School ~ Buttonwillow, California

"I enjoyed his good voice modulation and how he captivated the kid's with his enthusiasm. Thanks for making the spoken word come to life!" "I enjoyed watching how he held the interest of all the students. His physical mannerisms were effective in keeping them involved... the students were with him." "What I found effective was his getting up and moving around during the stories. I enjoyed his variety of facial expressions."
Rita Cannan Elementary School ~ Reno, Nevada

"The realism of the stories told was most effective"
Comments from the Principal at The Garden City Elementary School Indianapolis, Indiana

 

Teen Substance Abuse Prevention Assembly

Performing Artist: Tom McCormack
© 2000 (Revised 2008)

(For Junior-High and High School Students)

This program incorporates ethnic cultural tools as effective diversion and redirection for teen youth. Tom brings story cosmology to life as he inspires cultural exploration. He conveys a dynamic prevention message that reaches the pulse of students. Mr. McCormack demonstrates the synergistic impact of story, song, poetry, music, movement and cultural props. Some students get to experience the cultural objects during an interactive window halfway through the assembly. This program highlights rites of passage from different global cultures. A lively discussion ensues that is informative and entertaining. A summary with a question and answer period is at the close. (The assembly runtime is 45-60 minutes)

* Mr. McCormack will meet with school administrators, counselors, or teachers prior to the assembly to determine the specific substance abuse areas they want him to address during the assembly.

For this Teen Substance Abuse Prevention Program, multiple rates apply.

References:

Mr. McCormack's prevention programs are endorsed by John Lennsen Director of Oregon Department of Education's Substance Abuse Prevention Division

"I liked the way he used movement in telling the stories, and the different voices he used for the various characters. He was terrific! The students were very attentive and really enjoyed the performance"
Brown Elementary School ~ Reno, Nevada

Storymaster's fee's are negotiable and subject to the number of presentations.