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.
State of Stories Program Evaluation
If you have attended a program that is part of the State of Stories series, please let us know what you think by filling out our State of Stories Program Evaluation. Your feedback is integral to continuing to provide high-quality programs.
Storytelling Performances
Stories from Family and Community
Friday, February 19, 6:30-7:30pm
Live on The Story Center's Facebook page
Wonderfully blending tradition and performance, Dr. Gladys Caines-Coggswell and Angela J. Williams, BA, bring to the stage stories of the African American experience in Missouri. They have shared stories that they’ve learned from several different areas. Both have learned from their great grandmothers, grandmothers, communities, and at family reunions. Some stories reach back to the days of slavery. Others were shared or collected during Coggswell’s research for her book, Stories from the Heart: Missouri’s African American Heritage. They also perform stories about their personal experiences.
Storytelling Workshops
Developing & Telling Historical, Family, and/or Community Stories
Saturday, February 20, 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Zoom
Dr. Gladys Caines-Coggswell collected stories from many of Missouri’s African American communities in her book Stories from the Heart: Missouri’s African-American Heritage. Angela J. Williams, BA, one of the contributors, will share the interviewing process that she used for the book. In this workshop, you will learn the art of collecting, researching, writing and/or telling historical and/or personal stories.
Presentations and Book Conversations
Missouri’s Dynamic Quilting Traditions and Innovations
Thursday, January 14, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Live on The Story Center's Facebook page
Join us for Missouri quilt stories with Dr. Lisa Higgins, director of the Missouri Folk Arts Program, and Dr. Michael Sweeney, coordinator for the Missouri Bicentennial for the State Historical Society, who will talk about the state’s Bicentennial quilt.
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.