Reviewed By: Kathy Roller

Milbre Burch Storytelling For Grown-Ups & Others

www.kindcrone.com

Working with Audiences – Milbre Burch on the Adult Audience) Authority – Milbre Burch is a professional storyteller, published poet and author, and an internationally acclaimed teacher of storytelling. Her audio-recordings have received the Storytelling World Honor, the NAPPA Gold Award, and Parent’s Choice Classic, Gold, and Approved Awards. She has also received the Circle of Excellence Award from the National Storytelling Network. Accuracy/Currency – Site restoration is provided by SolidThought.com. There is a 2002 copyright date, but no indication of when, or if, updates will be made. Content/Coverage – This site provides information on Milbre Burch. You can find out about her programs, books, and her tapes, as well as her background information. The most important aspect of this site is the link to Press. Here you will find online copies of an article and a pamphlet by Ms. Burch. In her article from Storytelling World, “A Storytelling Artist @ Work”, ©1996, you will find the harsh realities of being a storyteller. Burch dispels popular myths such as “Now that I know I want to be a storyteller, I need an agent.” In reality, “A professional storyteller will have to be able to handle the business end.” Burch also discusses several unpopular realities such as, “Storytelling has a bad rap in the modern world.” Here she states that unless the term is used in relation to a filmmaker or novelist, it is usually associated with an old lady librarian reading to a bunch of little children. I found this article very interesting and an eye-opener. It would be very useful for anyone considering entering the world of the professional storyteller. Burch’s pamphlet, “Storytelling: It’s Not Just Kid’s Stuff”. ©1997, www.kindcrone.com/article_2.html, is a collection of information on audience development, marketing, and public relation strategies. She provides seven good reasons to present storytelling as well as twenty tips on how to reach potential ticket-buyers. This pamphlet was developed with the information taken from interviews with ten of the “most-seasoned” storytellers, with over seventy-five years of combined experience. It is a useful tool for the beginning storyteller and for those who want to improve their storytelling performance. Objectivity – Information on ordering Burch’s books and tapes can be found on one link. Access – There is a form available to contact Milbre Burch directly. A phone number, fax number, and email address is available for Kind Crone productions. Design/Appearance – This site was very easy to use. The links are working, as of 10/11/02 and very clear. The design is rather plain, but not boring. There are no links to other storytelling sites.