Residency Artist - Theatre

Mike Follin

PO Box 68
Chesterville, OH  43317
Phone: (419) 768-2232
Fax: (419) 768-2001
Email: mfollin@columbus.rr.com

I am traditional storyteller and creative drama artist. For over twenty years I have studied, performed, and taught people to tell their stories. I enjoy working with students of all ages but especially those ranging from grade K-5, when creativity is in the seedling stage. I enjoy students with special needs who are able to express through stories and creative drama-a wonderful gift that normal academic pursuits may not allow. During a residency, skills of listening and communication are developed through the creation and performance of stories. Stories from various cultures present the opportunity to compare and contrast situations and life experiences from around the world and apply the lessons to present day

I have studied and continue to perform all over the country as well as in various other countries. I enjoy listening to the stories of other cultures and comparing and contrasting them to our own. I enjoy sharing this expertise via performance and workshops. I participated in the international residency of "Paths to Peace" involving the countries of Canada, United States and Great Britain. It focused on the centennial of the War of 1812 and ended with students from the U.S. traveling and performing in Canada. Other, past residencies has included an MRDD school where students learned to sequence and associate ideas and concepts. Additionally, past residencies have provided the students with an improved concept of self-worth and image via the ability to perform among peers. I also work with Hospice in a child's program about grieving and loss.

I have been telling stories for over thirty years. I started out with traditional story telling focusing on the Appalachian Mountains and American folklore. I had the opportunity to study with some of the great traditional storytellers of our times in various workshops and seminars. I received my BA in theatre and communication from Capital University and my MS from the Ohio State University in Research and Performance of American History and Folklore. I am on staff at the Ohio Historical Society as an Interpretive Education Specialist