Storytellers
and other Children's Entertainers

Angela Davis
Dianne de Las Casas
Johnette Downing

Janie Spaht Gill
Oneal Isaac
Rick Kelley

Phil Melancon
Chris Miller Magic
Porta-Puppet Players


Angela Davis

Storyteller

Through song, humor, movement, drama and audience participation, Angela Davis spins tales of adventure to captivate the imagination of both young and old. Angela pulls threads from a variety of ethnic backgrounds, African-American, Cajun, modern and updated traditional stories, weaving themes of self-esteem, choice making and other contemporary issues to motivate and capture the imagination of today’s audience.

Schedule
4:45 PM - 5:15 PM
Storytelling Tent

 

Dianne de Las Casas

Author and Storyteller

Dianne de Las Casas is an author and award-winning storyteller who tours internationally presenting programs, educator/librarian training, workshops and artist residencies. Her performances, dubbed “traditional folklore gone fun” and “revved-up storytelling,” are full of energetic audience participation. She has recorded numerous award-winning CDs. Visit her website at www.storyconnection.net and subscribe to Story Connection Express, an educational e-zine for parents and teachers.

Schedule
2 PM – 2:30 PM
Storytelling Tent

Book Signing
2:45 PM – 3:30 PM

 

Janie Spaht Gill

Author and Storyteller

Elementary school teacher Janie Spaht Gill, Ph.D., has published 60 books for young children that were inspired by things students said inside her classroom. Gill has done storybook reading throughout the United States and uses children in the audience to retell her stories. She just completed a reading program for Louisiana Public Broadcasting entitled Storytelling with JJ and Friends which will air this fall. 

Schedule
11:45 AM – 12:15 PM
Storytelling Tent

 

Oneal Isaac

Storyteller

Oneal A. Isaac was a chemist for twenty years prior to becoming a professional actor and storyteller in 1995. He has worked in motion pictures, professional and community theater, television, improvisational comedy and public radio. Isaac is a recipient of the prestigious Louisiana Division of the Arts State Fellowship Award in theater.

Schedule
4 PM – 4:30 PM
Storytelling Tent

 

Rick Kelley

Musician and Entertainer

Rick Kelley is a graduate from the University of Michigan with a Bachelors in Music Education. A former teacher, Kelley is the founder of the non-profit Music with a Message for Kids, Inc. Rick Kelley's award-winning, interactive, energetic and extremely fun performances are designed to inspire people to get involved!

Schedule
11:15 AM – 11:45 AM
State Library of Louisiana Seminar Center
Louisiana Young Readers’ Choice Program
Featuring Rick Kelley’s Walk in My Shoes

3:15 PM – 3:45 PM
Entertainment Stage
Musical Performance
Hits of the 50s, 60s and 70s
(Both Fiction and Nonfiction)

5 PM – 6 PM
Baton Rouge Symphony Stage
Musical Performance
Reading is Serious FUN
Rick Kelley’s appearance made possible by a grant from the Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation of Louisiana

 

Phil Melancon

Musician

Philip Melancon is a musician and storyteller from New Orleans who brings to each performance the rich history that makes his city unique. From "Popeye and Pals" children's television to the tuxedoed Pontchartrain Hotel to the bohemian Neutral Ground Coffeehouse, he acts as a caretaker of Crescent City culture.

Schedule
1:15 PM – 1:45 PM
Storytelling Tent

 

Chris Miller Magic

Magician

Suffering from “empty nest syndrome,” Chris Miller found his calling in life – entertaining children. As a volunteer with Parker House (Volunteers of America), he found the tricks he had learned as a child opened hearts which could not normally be opened. Although Chris spends most of his available time away from work entertaining for private parties, he still finds time to volunteer for many local charities and children’s organizations.

Schedule
10:15 AM – 10:45 AM
Storytelling Tent

 

Porta-Puppet Players

Puppeteer

Porta-Puppet Players has been delighting New Orleans and its surrounding areas since 1990, proudly boasting that they are able to make the adults laugh simulataneously with the tots! Jefforey Marotrell (our "Gepetto" for today) has been with the company for several years. Marotrell has also performed on stage in plays such as Merry Wives of Windsor, Beauty and the Beast, Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, and Midsummer Night’s Dream

Schedule
2:45 PM – 3:45 PM
Storytelling Tent