State of Stories is a series of free public programs commemorating the Missouri Bicentennial. Developed by The Story Center at Mid-Continent Public Library and the University of Missouri Extension Community Arts Program, programs will explore Missouri history and culture through storytelling performances and workshops, book conversations, presentations, a publication, and other activities. Funding for these programs in provided by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.
A cornerstone of State of Stories programming is an oral storytelling component, a series of four performances and workshops by master Missouri storytellers. Performances at various MCPL branches will entertain and educate audiences of all ages and represent traditions from across the state. Workshops will help emerging storytellers develop skills and techniques for researching and telling historical stories. Facilitated by a Kansas City-based professional storyteller, participants completing the sequence of workshops will have the opportunity to tell a five to seven-minute story as part of the state Bicentennial celebration in August 2021.
Storytelling Performances
These Ozark Hills
These Ozark Hills
Friday, November 13, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Live on The Story Center's Facebook page
Long-time journalist and Ozarks native Marideth Sisco performs stories about the people and places of the Ozarks originally presented as part of KSMU’s monthly series, These Ozark Hills.
Storytelling Workshops
Researching Historical Stories: An Introductory Workshop
Saturday, November 14, 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
ZOOM
Marideth Sisco draws upon her work as a storyteller, journalist, and community scholar, where she has researched secondary and primary sources for stories about history.
Presentations and Book Conversations
Ozark Outdoors: Hunting Lore and Fishing Stories
Ozark Outdoors: Hunting Lore and Fishing Stories
Monday, November 16, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Live on The Story Center's Facebook page
Dr. Mark Morgan, Associate Professor in the Department of Natural Resources at the University of Missouri, Columbia, discusses how traditional activities such as hunting and fishing have changed from subsistence to recreation and describes how folklore can satisfy the need for vicarious attachment to nature through storytelling.
Book Conversation: Abandoned Kansas City, by Regina Daniel
Book Conversation: Abandoned Kansas City, by Regina Daniel
Wednesday, January 20, 6:30-7:30pm
Live on The Story Center’s Facebook Page
Join author and photographer Regina Daniel for a conversation about what the stories abandoned buildings in the City of Fountains tell us about our place and ourselves.