Larry Brown assistant professor of Human Geography at the University of Missouri-Columbia, has been a storyteller for 20 years and is a cofounder of the Mid-Missouri Organization for Storytelling (MOST) centered in Columbia, Mo. Larry tells to all ages and is known for his original Jack Tales and ghost stories, as well as personal, Christmas, and medieval stories. Nancy Donoval, a seasoned professional, has been a full time storyteller since 1988. Her stories take us on journeys – from the memory of Nancy's dad working magic with his back brace and the first remote control TV on the block to the ancient tale of a parrot trying to put out a forest fire with drops of water from its wings. Folk tales celebrate how different we are and how much the same; personal stories give permission to share memories of our own lives and loved ones. Nancy's recordings have earned two starred reviews in the recent Storytelling Review of the Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books as well as a 1996 Parents' Choice Seal of Approval. Tom Frankenfield is a permanent deacon of the Roman Catholic Church, ordained for the Archdiocese of Omaha, NE, and serving at Our Lady of Peace Parish, Offutt AFB. He also is an author, storyteller, guitarist, puppeteer, First vice-president of Omaha Organization for the Purpose of Storytelling. Linda Hasselstrom is a nonfiction writer and poet rather than a storyteller. In performances of her own and others' writing about the prairie, she has entertained audiences as diverse as those at the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, NV, and the Buffalo Commons Storytelling Festival in McCook, NE. At her ranch retreat in western South Dakota, Windbreak House, she works with writers who want to collect their stories on paper, as well as recite or read it before an audience. See her website for information about Linda's books; about writing retreats for women; or information about "Writing Conversations By Mail" -- how to work with Linda on your writing from your home. Steve Otto is a full-time freelance storyteller and Missouri Liaison for NSN. His extensive repertory of over 400 stories includes something for all ages and interest, from schools to festivals to church services. Steve does In-Service training and staff development for teachers, storytellers, librarians, churches and business. Try a seminar along with his stories at your next festival or activity. His Artist in Residence programs in schools and libraries include programs for all ages from pre-school to senior citizens, including intergenerational programs. He designs programs and seminars to specific needs and desires, making YOUR organization the focus of Steve's program. Rita Paskowitz doesn't just tell stories - she ELECTRIFIES them. It's no wonder: having graduated with a major in Speech and Drama during the waning days of the Viet Nam War, she has been speaking out dramatically ever since. In an attempt to be someone else, Rita became an actress; in an attempt to be more open, she became an improvisationalist; in an attempt to be more out there, she became a stand-up comedienne; and, finally, in attempt to be herself, Rita became a storyteller. In her various performing incarnations, Rita has delighted audiences from New York City to Los Angeles including such in-between points as the Twin Cities, Phoenix, Santa Barbara and Sun Valley. She currently works as an Artist-in-Residence in the Schools/Communities and in the Nebraska Touring Program for the Nebraska Arts Council, as a Master Teacher/Teaching Artist in Theatre for UNL's Arts Are Basic/Aesthetic Education for Children, and as Storyteller-in-Residence at Temple Israel (where she is also the educator for Hate, Humanity and the Holocaust for middle schoolers). Rita teaches Storytelling and Education in the College of Education at UNO and is the Co-founder, Artistic Director and Storytelling/Theatre Artist for GATE/Grief and the Arts Training Experience (an arts training program for bereavement specialists and the bereaved) and EDU-GATE (GATER's sister program for educators). Rita created HUGGS/Healing Unresolved Grief Support Group 'a storytelling-based support group curriculum for mothers who have lost a child prior to or during the birth process' for the Nebraska Department of Public Health. Rita is the official Storyteller for Ted E. Bear Hollow's KIDSKAMP for Grieving Children and speaks on Depression to both children and adults. On the third Saturday of every month, Rita can be found at Omaha's Joslyn Art Museum leading 'Picture This!' engaging families in finding the stories in works of art. She also works with Percussionist Michael Fitzsimmons in another arts-based program called Whose Art Is It Anyway? Rita leads workshops and retreats for a variety of business, healthcare, religious and social organizations while maintaining an active Storytelling performance schedule. She is available for everyone in need of having the cockles of their hearts warmed, tickled and teased. And yes, her hair is real. Pippa White Pippa White offers workshops and residencies, and has been a teaching artist with the Arts Are Basic Program (associated with the College of Fine and Performing Arts at the University of Nebraska) and the Nebraska Arts Council for fifteen years. In 2005, she was a recipient of a $1,000 merit award from the Nebraska Arts Council. Before doing solo work, she had an extensive background in theatre and television on the West Coast. Her One's Company Productions is "part theatre, part storytelling, part history." Audiences call them unique, captivating, and touching.