Experience magical moments that will delight and surprise you. With her pleasant smile and singing voice, Kucha draws the audience in and the story enwraps the audience in its magic.
The art of storytelling is much more than a stage art and much more than entertainment. It is the reliving of life.
It is the past. As long as we can tell the story, we can remember.
It is the present. The art of listening, so important to understanding and communication, is an active part of storytelling.
It is our future. The present immediately becomes the past and if we want our times to be remembered and learned from, it is essential to teach our children to become storytellers.
Kucha brings over 25 years of performing to the storytelling arena. She sets the scene then becomes the story, flowing from narrator to character with ease. Kucha is a performance artist with great dramatic flair. Her presentation is dynamic storytelling at its best.
In addition she is a lead storyteller facilitator for “Words 37,” a pilot program for storytelling, communication, reading and writing skills development for high school students. She has facilitated workshops for Mayor Daley’s Book Club, for Children Literacy Institute through the Chicago Board Education and trained student tellers to assist in Head Start programs for the Department of Children and Family Services. She also facilitated workshops for the Spirits Light Foundation, Inc.
Affiliations
NABS (National Association of Black Storytellers), NSN (National Storytellers Network), (ISF) Illinois Storytelling Inc., Northlands Storytelling Network, and Chair and co-founder of ASE: The Chicago Association of Black Storytellers.
Illinois Arts Tour Funding Available
Whether you are Pre-K, Primary, Middle or High school, daycares, libraries, hospitals, universities, museums, festivals, concerts, associations or corporations, Kucha has a performance to suit your needs. The many programs Kucha offers can accommodate your school assemblies; Family Reading Nights or just bring her in for a dynamic workshop for children, teachers or parents.
Kucha weaves a rich tapestry of fanciful folk tales, frolicking fables, proverbs and dialect into her art. Her unique presentation is accompanied by shekere playing, enhanced by audience participation which involves singing, learning and lots of fun.
She believes that stories can be used to uplift as well as to entertain. Storytellers are word doctors using stories to ease unseen pain, to push aide clouds so that a ray of hope can shine through. We speak for our children, for our families, for our communities.
Jumping Jambalaya
Diverse stories, folktales, call and response, dialect, “a little of this and a little of that.”
The Harlem Renaissance Revisited
A 50 minute performance of works originated during the Harlem Renaissance with a brief explanation of the times. This performance incorporates stories, poetry and songs of that era.
A Kwanzaa Celebration
A highly energetic 50 minute performance that will introduce to some and make real for others the symbols and principles of Kwanzaa. In this performance we learn about he Nguzo Saba – the seven principles of Kwanzaa (First Fruits). This joyous time is one in which we celebrate our first fruits (Children) and begin to instill the Nguzo Saba.
The Talking Animals
A 50 minute performance of the most lovable animal characters from Brer Rabbit to The coyote to El Mucaro. This folktale performance will leave you smiling.
Wondrous Wonders of Women
A 50 minute performance of stories by and/or about women. A celebration of our contributions and pioneering spirit.
Voice Your Choice
A custom-designed presentation. Do you have a favorite story? Aurhot? Theme? This is the show for your organization.
Civil War Stories
This is a collection of stories about incidents occurring during the Civil War and important figures of that time.
A King’s Legacy – Your Civil Rights
This is a celebration of Martin Luther King’s life and his influential accomplishment that lead to having the Dram Become Reality!
Bringing Black History to Life
This is a taste of the many contributions and achievements of Africans and African-Americans making the difference in innovation and pioneering.
Earth Day Celebration
A 50 minute performance of nature, animal stories, and celebrating Earth Day through story. These stories will bring a natural appreciation for our Earth as well as our animals.
The Middle Passage: The Search for Freedom
This 50 minute performance takes you on a journey through Middle Passage. The Middle Passage explores the voyage from the West Coast of Africa to the New world and other various ports where Africans were left alive and otherwise. This journey was the longest, hardest, most dangerous and most horrific experience of what is now known as the “Black holocaust.” And the search for freedom goes on.
Zora Neale Hurston
This 50 minute performance brings to life some of the works of Zora Neale Hurston. We also explore her life and impact on African American and women’s literature.
Juneteenth: The Celebration of Freedom
This performance is an account of the impact of Harriet “Moses” Tubman, in the Civil War and the ending of enslavement in the United States. Dating back to 1865, it was on June 190th that news came that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free. This performance will take us on a journey from the emancipation Proclamation Executive Order issued in 1863 to the actual implementation of Freedom. This was a time of celebration experienced through stories, narratives, songs and the music of that time. Free at last, free at last!
Bringing the Story to Life©
A storytelling workshop designed to guide participants in transforming stories from the written to the spoken, from bare bones to life. Bringing the Story to Life© consists of ten lessons covering aspects of storytelling from choosing a story, to expanding upon it and making it your own. You will leave knowing several techniques for involving the audience as well as performance preparation and self-improvement exercises. This workshop is an interactive storytelling experience that enhances storytelling from the classroom to the stage. Format: A 90 minute session or a half day session, or ten 50-minute sessions. Intended audience: students, teachers, librarians, storytellers and lovers of stories.