DLW Storyteller Inc
"The only thing that would have made this better is if there were puppies!"
- 8 year old audience member
"You are better than television!"
"I wish I had a remote control just for you! I would rewind you and watch you over and over!"
"Every story I tell is true, except for the parts I make up!"
- Donna Washington
Workshops
Donna presents a wide variety of Master Classes concerning the art and power of storytelling. She has guest lectured at universities such as Northwestern, East Tennessee State University, Dominican University, and South Mountain Community College.
She brings almost forty years of working with arts in education as well as written and spoken stories to the table. The workshops she offers cover all ages and experience levels:
Language and Literacy (Librarians, Storytellers, Educator preK-2)
In this workshop we explore thirty years of research that inextricably links language and literacy. We will discuss ways to increase a youngster’s aptitude in both. Using activities from finger games to beginning stories, we will look at ways of using familiar tales in the classroom and library to enhance vocabulary and improve a student’s chances of becoming a solid reader.
A Little Creative Drama (Librarians, Educator K-12)
Whether in the library or the classroom, creative drama can enhance both story time and writing assignments. It is not as difficult as you might think, and it is fun for both the participants and the leaders. We explore basic mime and simple story lines that can lead to writing assignments, or an additional story time activity.
Put Down the Book (Librarians, Storytellers and Educators)
Storytelling is a powerful tool in helping people connect to reading as well as increase their vocabulary. Many people want to tell stories, but are uncomfortable. They are unsure if they will be able to do it. There are some easy techniques to help you get started. If you have ever wanted to tell but have been unsure or nervous about putting the book aside, this is a workshop for you.
Story Crafting (Librarians, Storytellers and Educators)
This is a workshop for people who are already working on stories and want to work on specific pieces. This workshop is also for those who have begun telling and are building their repertoire. It is a coaching session for those who are trying to find their voice.
Storyteller’s Tool Kit (Storytellers)
This is a workshop for anyone who is transitioning into storytelling as a business. It deals with everything from formulating a business plan and mission statement to figuring out what sort of PR material you want to develop.
The Storyteller’s Voice (Librarians, Storytellers and Educators)
This workshop takes you through a good vocal warm up. We will work on breathing techniques and using your diaphragm to control your sound instead of forcing it out of your throat. We will also work on dialects, voices and sound effects.
Keynotes
Washington weaves history, humor, fact, folklore, and power through the keynotes she creates. She is an engaging, electric presenter who leaves groups thinking, cheering, and satisfied.
Her keynotes are inspirational, educational, and enjoyable.
“I’ve seen lots of speakers, and you are definitely the best one we’ve ever had.”
Arts Are Core Attendee - Utah State University June 6, 2023
Author Visits
Inviting an author to your school is a great way to excite students about reading. Introducing an author to students lets them see that authors are people just like them. It inspires some kids to write, and others to write more!
Donna’s engaging style and mastery of storytelling make her an amazing author to work with kids. We encourage organizations to order the books from local independent bookstore to support small businesses in the community!
Books & Recordings
Stories In Schools
Donna has been telling in schools internationally for nearly 40 years. She is a well-known, beloved performer who transports students with stories that make them laugh, think, and gasp in wonder.
Her story sets are socially, emotionally, and educationally appropriate for different age groups.
Her stories are presented in such a way that they promote literacy, build vocabulary, and model the process of comprehension.
She works with everyone from Kindergarten through College!
Pre-K - 2nd Grade
Pre-reading stories designed to work on scope and sequence, predictive behavior, and the visualization of language. These stories remove the mechanics of reading while allowing the brain to focus on the higher-level thinking skills necessary to build comprehension.
3rd - 5th Grade
Since there are students who are still working with pre-reading skills, the stories are still built around the basic story framework, but the content is about making choices, anti-bullying behavior, understanding that actions and behavior have consequences, and learning to accept responsibility.
Donna prefers to see middle school grades individually. You can combine them, but the stories won’t be targeted.
6th Grade - Surviving Sixth Grade - Hormonal Boys and Hyena Girls
Stories about not allowing others to tell you who you are, and a great spooky story my son wrote when he was a student. Themes of this set include Bullying, Trusting Yourself, Making Mistakes, Finding Your Passions, and that Being Different Is All Right.
7th Grade - The Sugar Incident
A personal narrative about being put on the spot and making the wrong choice. - The story is fun, and very appropriate for 7th graders. Themes of this set include Personal Responsibility, Still Being a Kid and That’s Okay, Navigating the Perils of Making Bad Choices, and Dealing With Parents.
8th Grade - The Hags
A PG-13 version of Gawain and the Green Knight from The Canterbury Tales called The Loathely Lady. A piece of African American Folklore called The Boo Hag. She is the reason there are so many ugly blue houses up and down the Outer Banks of North Carolina! Themes of this set include African American History, Respecting Each Other, and Literacy.
High School
High School presentations vary from event to event. If you have an idea of what you might like, let Donna know.
The performances are geared to what your students need. Donna offers themes like History, Ghost Stories, What is it like to be a full-time professional touring performer, African Americans Fighting for Voting Rights in the 1940’s, Celebrations, and Discussing the art of storytelling, just to name a few.
Universities
Donna has done many storytelling performances for universities. They range from Ghost Stories for campus events to working with performance classes.
If you don’t see a story set that tickles your fancy, don’t worry. Washington will happily create a story set just for your organization!
Family Storytelling Shows
Donna offers family-friendly storytelling shows for all ages. Her wild expressions, interactive style, deep characterizations, and vocal pyrotechnics make her an engaging, entertaining presenter.
Fun Foolery and Folktales!
Washington offers a range of International folktales that will take you on an amazing, unforgettable journey. You might visit the North Wind, hang out with an exasperated turtle, find out why Possum plays dead, or find out why the Sun and Moon live in the sky. Audiences will laugh, play along, and leave with a story or two of their own to share.
A Little Shiver!
Are you looking for a family-friendly set of “spooky stories” for wee listeners? Well, look no further! These tales will delight listeners of all ages, especially the elementary school set. The tales are fun, they seem like they might build to something scary, but everyone is perfectly safe. The stories make people giggle. These stories aren’t hair-raising, but you might get a little shiver!
Swamp Tales!
African American folktales are rich with stories set in the American Swamps. In the days of enslavement, the enslaved people would flee, and many of them found their way into the swamps. The tales told from the swamps are full of mysterious beings, daring escapes, magical creatures, and brave characters who face it all! They will make you laugh, cheer, and a couple might leave you breathless at the edge of your seat!
Troubling Trouble!
The story doesn’t start until somebody does something they didn’t have no business doin’! These tales are funny, fast-paced, participatory, and an absolute blast. From Anansi and Brer Rabbit to Frog and his foibles. These beast fables are a hoot and a howl!
Clever Girls
There are so many stories about girls beyond princesses who need to be rescued by a prince! They solve problems, show their strength, unmask foolishness, and show us that clever girls are A. Very. Good. Thing!
If you don’t see a story set that tickles your fancy, don’t worry. Washington will happily create a story set just for your organization!
Adult Storytelling Shows
Donna presents a wide range of wonderful storytelling programming for adults. She weaves folklore, urban legend, personal narrative, character profiles, politics, and literary tales into shows that make an audience laugh, gasp in horror, or marvel at the nonsense and wisdom of life.
Election Night
In this funny, poignant and at times impossible to believe hour-long show, Donna shares stories about the way racism changed in her life after President Obama was elected. From being informed that minorities had it way better than white people in America to a Tea Party Patriot being convinced that if she were only more educated about how President Obama was a secret Kenyan Muslim she’d vote correctly, it was an interesting eight years.
Relationships Gone Sideways
Not a fan of mushy love stories? Neither am I. These humorous, spooky, or ridiculous stories look at the pitfalls, foibles, and foolishness of love in all of its imperfections. A Wife of Bath retelling, a dead fiancée returning for his faithless love, almost being skinned, hung to dry and drained of blood by your perspective mate...you know, the normal problems people have in relationships.
A Cup Of Blood
There are scary stories, and then there are tales that are fit for neither man nor beast. If you want some unsettling tales of gore and worse, then this is the set for you. Shape changing serial killers, vengeful spirits, and each horrific story contains at least a cup of blood!
Growing Up Army
A collection of personal narratives about growing up in an army family with four brothers, two sisters, an albino ferret, a toy poodle, an Alsatian Shepherd, a six foot four father with black belts in Karate, Judo, Hap Ki Do, Tang Soo Do, and Taekwondo, and a five foot two mother who would put Martha Stewart to Shame. There are some unbelievable stories of growing up all around the world with a unique family, but every single word is absolutely true!
Respect The Hags!
Spend an evening with some strong, if distressing, determined women of folklore! You will never look at these powerful women the same way after you hear their stories.
If you don’t see a story set that tickles your fancy, don’t worry. Washington will happily create a story set just for your organization!
References
