Cracker Storytelling Festival

Carrie Sue Ayvar comes to us from her home in Miami. With the simplest of phrases, "Había una vez/Once upon a time" …her magical tales, In Spanish and English, take you on a wondrous imaginary journey. Her tales celebrate both the similarities and the differences of our culturally diverse communities.

Cheryl Floyd is our own Cajun Queen.  She will regale you with tales from the Bayou and for true you better believe her.  Whether it’s folktales from around the world, stories from her mentors or Cajun tales from her southern Louisiana roots, Cheryl loves to share humor, song and family fun with listeners of all ages.

Robin Schulte tells stories that tap into the collective, clumsy experience of growing — growing up, growing older, growing (hopefully) wiser. She is a winner of the National Storytelling Festival Story Slam in Jonesborough, Tennessee. A former high school English teacher and past president of the Florida Storytelling Association, she has spent more than 25 years sharing folktales, literary tales, and personal stories with audiences throughout central Florida. She has two audio recordings: Jack & the Levitator and Other Stories and Late. Night. Stop., which received a Storytelling World Honor Award. Robin earned an MFA in Creative Writing from University of Central Florida. She and her husband, Randy, have three grown children.

“Tvshka” means Warrior. Vann is of Choctaw tribal descent and is a storyteller and flute player.  He also tells Seminole stories and teaches about Native American culture.  

Katie Adams is a professional storyteller, puppeteer, and teaching artist whose traveling Make Believe Theater brings children’s literature to life with fun, interactive shows for children and families. Katie has recently been featured at the Florida Storytelling Festival, the Straz Center for the Performing Arts, the Alvin Sherman Library at Nova Southeastern University, and many schools, libraries and theaters throughout the state of Florida.

Pat Nease is blessed with an enlarged funny bone.  Her sense of humor and lively style coupled with her array of folk, family, original, and bone-chilling tales have delighted audiences across the south and even cured a few, since laughter is such good medicine.

Charles Frierman has been doing children’s shows for over ten years. He was one of the founding members of the Grimy Brother’s Improv Troupe and has performed for kids throughout Polk, and Orange counties in Florida. Most recently, he has performed at the 2017 Orlando Kid’s Fringe with his dog Pupperton, and his beautiful wife, Blue. You can also find Charles at the Lakeland Public Library telling stories and performing Children’s Theater with kids.

An elementary teacher for over thirty-seven years, Windell Campbell performs at festivals and reading programs throughout the state. He is a performer for the Arts Council Of Hillsborough County and the Florida Humanities Council. In 2001, he was featured at the Exchange Place of the National Storytelling Festival. He incorporates the art of puppetry with the art of storytelling and the separate art forms unite to become more than the sum of their parts.

Tamara Green, a storyteller, writer and performer, Tamara lights up an audience with her energetic stories. Her presentation is electric and often hilarious. Tamara is a sight to behold and a joy to listen to. She specializes in African, African-American, multicultural, personal and historical tales. She will warm your heart and tickle your funny bone.

Mitchell O’Rear hails from Orlando. Mitchell is a very creative guy who is the force behind Project Imagination and the founder of the annual “Ghost Stories in the Garden” event at Leu Gardens in Orlando. Mitchell was called a “Hometown Hero” in Orange County for his work with the Project Imagination storytelling troupe.

Telling stories all over the state of Florida and acting as a coach for other storytellers makes Mitchell a wonderful delight to listen to and work with. He’ll make you laugh and he loves to tell scary stories, so look out!