Better yet, let Steve Daut tell you a story about storytelling. Steve is a member of the Ann Arbor Storytellers Guild. He knows that there are stories inside of everyone waiting to be told and people always eager to listen. David Fair and Deb Polich are all ears on this week’s edition of "creative:impact."
Creative industries in Washtenaw County add hundreds of millions of dollars to the local economy. In the weeks and months to come, 89.1 WEMU's David Fair and co-host Deb Polich, the President and CEO of The Arts Alliance, explore the myriad of contributors that make up the creative sector in Washtenaw County.
Steve is trained and experienced as a scientist and he also has worked in the nonprofit sector. His resume on stage in various venues spans 35 years. He has written and produced plays, sketches and stand-up comedy as well as traditional storytelling. He has performed as a magician and as Master of Ceremonies for charitable events. He is also the president of the Ann Arbor Storytellers Guild.
TRAINING
B.S and M.S., Geology, University of Iowa
WORK EXPERIENCE
Career in Geology, Geophysics and Administration 1980-2000
Career in non-profit administration 2000-2013
Writing and performance career spans these dates, and then some
WRITING AND PERFORMANCE CAREER
Writing includes:
- Articles and editing for scientific, trade publications, magazines and newspapers
- Comedic monologues, plays and sketches
- Poetry and short stories
- A non-fiction book entitled Buddha Science
Performance experience includes:
- Close-up and stage magic
- Improv - Second City graduate
- Sketch comedy
- Stand-up comedy
- MC work for charitable organizations
- Storytelling - from traditional tales to personal stories
Artist
Steve began producing artwork in the 1970s. His early work was influenced by Peter Max, and he has explored realism, hyperrealism, impressionism, and abstract. He has worked in various media including charcoal, colored pencils, ink, transparent water colors, gouache, acrylics, and oils. Currently, he works almost exclusively with oil on canvas. His current series explores the vast spaces and creative energies of galaxies, inspired by images from the Hubble Space telescope.
About the Ann Arbor Storytellers Guild
The Ann Arbor Storytellers Guild exists to promote and support storytelling, locally, regionally, and nationwide. They create opportunities for our members to develop and practice their art in front of a supportive group of individuals, hold workshops to study the principles of good storytelling, and build venues to allow our members to perform in front of a broader audience. One way they promote our members is through the listing below.
Members explore many avenues to support storytelling, locally, regionally, and nationwide. Each of them not only has stories to tell, but the way they tell and the approach we take to our craft is unique to each of them. Here is a sampling of some of the ways the Ann Arbor Storytellers Guild helps to support the art and craft of storytelling.
EXPLORE: Guild members pursue various storytelling interests. Some delve into the rich legacy of traditional folktales, legends and myths. Some mine their own lives for drama and insight. Some search historical sources to higlight notable characters and events. Some enrich their storytelling with puppets, music, and even martial arts.
CREATE: Meetings and Guild-sponsored workshops provide a nuturing environment for members to try out new stories and new ways ot telling their favorite stories.
LEARN: In addition to workshops, many Guild members attend conferences and form study groups to enhance their understanding of the art of storytelling.
SHARE: Each Fall, the Guild joins groups around the country and the world by producing Storyfest (Formerly Tellabration): An Evening of Storytelling for Grown-ups, and a family Storyfest co-sponsored by the Ann Arbor District Library. They also hold a Story Night at Crazy Wisdom Tea Room and Bookstore on the second Thursday each month during the school year.
COLLABORATE: The Guild works hand-in-hand with other storytelling groups and venues to bring the wonder of storytelling to audiences in the Ann Arbor area and beyond. Collaborative partners include the Ark, Crazy Wisdom, the Ann Arbor District Library, Serendipity Books in Chelsea, and a number of local area churches. Take a look at some of the events listed on thiswebsite, and keep checking back with us for news of new events.
Annual Storytelling Festival at the Ark
Every year in February, the Ark holds a special storytelling festival featuring national, regional and local storytellers. A number of AASG members have told stories at this annual event, and members of the AASG host the storytellers.
In 2020, the festival will feature international storyteller Antonio Rocha, Anne Rutherfordand Norm Brecke, Barbara Schutzgruber, withMC Steve Daut.
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— David Fair is the WEMU News Director and host of Morning Edition on WEMU. You can contact David at734.487.3363, on twitter @DavidFairWEMU, or email him at dfair@emich.edu
