The Program
About the Tales & Tellers
in alphabetical order
The Yellow Star
— an historical account performed by Michele Belluomini
About the Artist
Michele Belluomini has been a storyteller for over 25 years. She has been a teller at many local and national storytelling conferences and festivals. She is a member of the National Storytelling Network and Patchwork: A Storytelling Guild based here in Philadelphia
(12)
TBD
—a tale, told by Ingrid Bohn
About the Artist
Ingrid Bohn, an Interactive Theater and Storytelling performance artist, engages audiences through story, song, dance, and poetry. She wields a vast repertoire of stories to suite any age. Performing in PA & NJ, and on the virtual stage, her career spans over a decade. Ingrid's passionate and deliberate delivery style is sure to capture your imagination and heart.
(12)95
The Girl in the Picture
—an imaginative bit of prose, told by Ray Gray
About the Artist
Ray Gray is a Philadelphia Folklorist following and documenting phenomena on the area. Mermaids who are documented in a painting by Hieronymus Bocsh in Fishtown (as was the route from the painting to the dealer)- to actual sightings of dinosaurs. Please see my blog BlinkyComix ArtSpace (https://paintpot55.wordpress.com/) to read all of the details.
(2) 14
(TBD)
—a folktale(s) and ballad, told by Denise McCormack
About the Artist
Denise McCormack is a celebrated storyteller and performance artist, renowned for her ability to bring narratives to life on stage. Her captivating presence and talent for weaving engaging tales have enchanted audiences at the National Storytellers Network conferences, NJ Storytelling Festival, Philadelphia's main stages, and NYC's Artists Without Borders. Denise's performances are marked by compelling character portrayals and an intuitive connection with her audience.
As president of Patchwork: A Storytelling Guild and a key figure in various storytelling organizations, Denise has played a vital role in fostering a vibrant storytelling culture. She also offers workshops and coaching sessions on storytelling and public speaking, helping participants unlock their storytelling potential.
(12+ 3*10)83
A Happy Butterfly
—a true personal bildungsroman, told by Barbara Sherf
About the Artist
As an award-winning journalist turned professional storyteller, speech coach and memoirist, Barbara Sherf has hit the one-year anniversary celebrating her newfound sobriety. Filled with humor, heartbreak, and healing, she is writing her second book titled “My Soap Opera to Sobriety.” In it she shares love letters, musings and “AHA” moments in her at times hilarious and other times heart-wrenching story. She intends to go on tour sharing her inspirational story to audiences —large and small. Barbara compares herself to a happy butterfly, moving from a caterpillar to spread colorful new wings on her journey to freedom and happiness.
(4)99
Call Me Jack
— a meaningful childhood memoir, told by Christina Sturgis
About the Artist
Chris Sturgis is a multi-talented artist and writer. She has 25 years’ experience as a newspaper reporter, including an exclusive interview with Hillary Clinton. She has appeared in Anything Goes, Barefoot in the Park, You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, Othello, Paul Sills’ Story Theatre, and the Kaufman and Hart comedy, Once in a Lifetime. She blogs at CLSreal.com.
(8)107
Slip Sliding Away
—a personal narrative of lost and found, told by Nancy Wexler Taylor
About the Artist
Nancy Wexler Taylor is a native of Philadelphia and currently resides in Doylestown, PA. Her life is rich with creativity and community involvement, as she dedicates herself to creating art, volunteering, performing improv, and storytelling.
In November 2019, Nancy dared herself to take the stage at The Philadelphia Moth, where she won Best in Show. Her storytelling prowess continued to shine, as she also won Best in Show at First Person Arts in June 2023. For Nancy, storytelling and improv are not just activities but a means to stay present and engaged in the moment. She is deeply thankful for the inspiration she draws from her family and friends.
(5-7)114
About the Rotunda
THE ROTUNDA
The Rotunda, located in Philadelphia, PA, is a community-gathering place that is fueled by the belief that art is a catalyst for social change and that the arts can lead to the formation of meaningful partnerships between our parent organization the University of Pennsylvania, and surrounding neighborhoods. Over 300 events are offered every year, including live music, film, spoken word, theater, art, dance, education, youth programs, arts incubation, and various experimental genres. As an alcohol-free venue, The Rotunda provides a critical social alternative for all ages. At its core, The Rotunda is a shared space fostering learning, enrichment, and community support while empowering the public to present, produce, and promote their work.
ACCESSIBILITY
- Left side of the building toward the back (follow the path between Cinemark movie theater and The Rotunda): There are seven steps up to enter the venue.
- Right side of the building toward the back: There is a ramp equipped for wheelchairs, strollers, walkers, and all other assistive devices. Follow the concrete path from Walnut Street. Once inside, make a right into the hallway and then make a left at the restroom. This entrance is kept locked except during events.
- The venue has a ramp onto the stage as well, stage right. It's ADA compliant and brand new and snazzy.
- There is a single-occupancy, all-gender ADA restroom on the first floor, almost as soon as you enter from the ramp. This restroom is also equipped with a baby changing station.
- There are additional, all-gender restrooms in the basement. The restroom on the east side of the basement is equipped with three toilets. The restroom on the west side of the basement is equipped with three toilets and two
- The venue is not air-conditioned.
About the PHILADELPHIA FRINGE FESTIVAL
The Philadelphia Fringe Festival is a city-wide celebration of innovation and creativity in contemporary performance. Each September, the Festival explodes into every nook and cranny of Philadelphia with more than 1,000 artistically daring performances, including national and international performances curated by FringeArts, and works produced by hundreds of independent artists.
ALSO FEATURED
THE BREATH BETWEEN: THE PHENOMENON OF STORY
Denise McCormack returns to Philadelphia with The Breath Between, an intimate storytelling performance that invites audiences on a journey through stories and songs imbued with moments of clarity. These are the rare instances when time seems to willingly freeze, allowing the observer to gaze in stillness, to savor the subtle nuances of meaning until they coalesce into a deep revelation. Such moments become lifelong tools—gifts meant to be shared.
SATURDAY
SEPTEMBER 20@ 7 PM
PWYC
About Patchwork: A Storytelling Guild
We are an arts organization dedicated to promoting storytelling, as a folk tradition and contemporary art form, in our community. Our mission is to provide opportunities for artists to showcase their work and for the public to engage with and appreciate the artform in all of its many guises. We offer a variety of events, workshops, and outreach throughout the year, and are committed to supporting local artists in all disciplines to tell their stories.
Patchwork Storytelling Guild is a member-supported 501c3 non-profit organization serving the needs of the Philadelphia Metro area, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, the Delaware Valley, and beyond.
We strive to provide a forum for storytellers and to promote the art of storytelling through community outreach related to the practice, performance, and value of storytelling. Patchwork offers: monthly story swaps, coaching sessions, performance opportunities... and more.
Our Partners & Affiliates
