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Erica Lann-Clark Entertainer Teacher Storyteller

Long before books existed people all over the world told stories to pass on wisdom, teach children values, honor heroic deeds, heal wounded hearts, remember the past, and also to brag and gossip and delight each other. Even today, we're still telling each other stories -- because stories are how we make meaning!

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Erica's vivid, participatory storytelling opens the windows of imagination with traditional and original stories.

About Erica Erica grew up listening. In a Brooklyn apartment, the tiny yellow kitchen brimmed with laughter and tears as her immigrant mama and papa spun tales to bring their history alive. For Ericas family, everything that happened was good starter dough for future stories. These kitchen tales inspired in Erica a passion for the healing power of story. In her twenties, Erica worked in New Yorks off-Broadway, trained at The HB Studio and studied playwriting under Edward Albee. One of her plays won a prestigious prize. Then along came a divorce and economics silenced art for twenty years. Erica raised a family, supporting them as a teacher and an alternative healer. Her children grown and gone, Erica threw caution to the winds. She became a storyteller. In the sixteen years since then, she has entertained audiences across the country and in Canada, Thailand, Singapore, and Hawaii. Shes been a featured teller at many storytelling festivals, including Timpanogos Festival, Bay Area Storytelling Festival, Sierra Festival, and the Exchange Place at the 2006 National Storytelling Festival. As an Artist in the Schools, Erica has performed for thousands of children and taught them to tell their stories. As a scholar in residence, she has worked with congregations of many faiths, leading workshops and telling tales of compassion in action and respect for diversity. Erica is the Associate Director of Storytelling for Stagebridge, a senior theater company based in Oakland, where she teaches and coaches seniors in storytelling. She hosts a storytelling radio show on KKUP Cupertino, 91.5 FM. Her work has been published in anthologies of prose and poetry. Her plays have been produced in New York, Ashland, Santa Cruz, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Erica's way of telling brings her audiences into the immediacy of storytelling where the teller disappears from view as the story takes hold. In her work, she blends traditional folklore and original stories, spicing her tales with an instinct for rambunctious humor and an ear for authentic voices. She loves to work at the crossroad where story meets theater.

"You made my imagination go bonkers!" Nicole, 4th Grade "I found a piece of myself I had long forgotten. I feel renewed!" R. Bristol, Cabrillo College "Scandalously funny woman!" S. Ford, Artistic Director, Strawberry Storytelling Festival

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What People Say...

Librarians say:

"At our branch, it is hard to attract boys to a storytelling program, much less keep them there. What I noticed was the number of boys in the audience who were giggling their heads off during the entire performance. You have a true gift of rapport with an audience and your modernized stories kept them enraptured." S. Jones, Pleasanton P.L., CA

Teachers say:

"My students, even the ones who lose attention the easiest, were glued to you. You are a totally unique and vibrant person. Your sense of humor is delightful and the stories themes are so valuable today." J. Hickok, Hyde School, Watsonville CA

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Upcoming

November 19, 2011 (Saturday) at 7 PM

TELLABRATION!

Church of Christ, 3393 Middlefield Road

Palo Alto, CA

Erica Lann-Clarkfeatured teller

with Stephanie Janowski, Harpist

and other tellers from Southbay

No tickets required--donations appreciated

Refreshments provided

"An Evening of Storytelling Aimed At Adults"

(Well-Behaved Children Welcome, Too)

presented by the Southbay Storytellers

November 15, 2011 at 7:00 PM

Tell it on Tuesday

The Marsh Berkeley, 2120 Allston Way

Berkeley, CA

One block from Downtown Berkeley BART station

Music at 7:00 with The Intones:

Rick Goodwin, Jeremy Goodwin, Steve Ekstrand, Terry True, Richard Trafford-Owens & Megan Armstrong

Stories at 7:30 with:

Erica Lann-Clark: "The Goats Know the Way"

Maria Grazia Affinito: "In Italy"

Tyrone Johnson: "Tyrone Short Leg Johnson and Some White Boys"

Tickets: $10-$18 at the door

"Tell it on Tuesday celebrates the expression of individual voices by promoting the art of storytelling and solo performance. Coming together as a community to share works crafted by theater artists and storytellers, we provide an East Bay home to the solo performer."

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Erica on Video

Erica on Video Videos of performances and "talking shop." This is Erica in action! (Click on the titles below to watch each video)

SHOPPING FOR GOD

Erica explores her relationship with ....

AFRICAN BIRTH SONG

Harmony with life....

ERICA ON STORYTELLING

Entertainer, teacher, storyteller....

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Contact Erica

CONTACT

Erica Lann-Clark

132 Alturas Way Soquel, CA 95073

(831) 479-1874

lanntell_cruzio.com

AVAILABLE FOR

One Woman Performances

Family Shows

Keynotes

Home
About Erica
What People Say...
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Erica on Video
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