PROGRAM
OFFERINGS
Come
Tell With Me!
Let My Stories Tell You
Who I Am
Storytelling and Song in the
Griot Tradition
Tell The Stories So That They May
Know
Pearls At The Foot of the Bed
Program content
/ story choices are geared to each age group
Each program includes age appropriate information about the oral tradition
and the stories the
audience will hear. Charlotte often enhances her programs with traditional
instruments such as
mbira, shekere, drum and kora.
Come
Tell With Me!
3 to 5 year-olds
“I can not believe you held the attention of a room full of preschoolers
for that length of time!” This is a highenergy program of interactive
stories and songs geared for 3 to 5 year olds. Children participate
in the program from the opening welcome song to the last story. Program
includes new versions of traditional tales as well as new stories and
songs. *While toddlers are welcome at public programs, please note that
the performance is not geared to children younger than 3 years old.
(Length: 30-40 min)
Let
My Stories Tell You Who I Ambbbbbb
Back
to top
Kindergarten to 6th grade, Family audiences
In keeping with the African oral tradition, Charlotte’s stories
promote an understanding of our common human experience by engaging
the hopes, fears and funny bone of each individual.Through the use of
instrumentation, gesture, facial expression and audience participation,
Charlotte casts a spell over her audiences for an unforgettable experience.
(Length: Schools, 45 min; Family program ‚1 hour)
With shekere, talking drum, kalimba, kora and a mesmerizing voice, Ms.Alston
breathes life into ancient
and contemporary tales. In this electronic age, she does what stories
have done for thousands of years:
engage the imagination and underscore our human commonalities. And life
lessons gained from centuries of human encounters. Drawing on the rich
source of stories, songs, games and rhythmic elements within the African
and African American oral tradition, this program will include the following:
A
traditional porquoi tale (a ”why” story)
Porquoi stories were created to explain occurrences in the natural world
(Why The Moon is in The Sky; How The Leopard Got Its Spots,Why The Sky
Is Far Away.) These stories also provide a glimpse into common human
foibles.They are often instructive and provide food for thought.
A
trickster tale
Sungura the rabbit, Anansi
the spider, Brer Rabbit, Fox and Monkey are all traditional tricksters.
Stories of their antics and triumphs offer a peek into the potential
consequences of our own behavior.
An
historical tale
The traditional role of stories was the preservation and transmission
of a community’s historical figures and events. In an original
story poem, well crafted especially for children, Charlotte revisits
historical figures and events familiar to American children.This story
incorporates audience participation
A
dilemma (or riddle) tale
Traditional West African griots (history-tellers) often challenged the
audience’s problem-solving abilities with short unresolved tales
the listeners discussed among themselves. Ms.Alston often weaves a riddle
tale into her performance.
Tales
In The Tradition
These are stories that have direct lessons to teach.These are stories
that affirm and celebrate life and the gifts each person brings to the
human experience.
Just
For Fun
Stories have always been told for fun and entertainment.The characters,
their antics, their situations; the story endings both predictable and
surprising will keep you laughing well beyond the performance
Storytelling
and Song in the Griot Tradition
bbbbb
Back to top
Middle, HS
Through story, song, poetry and monologue Ms.Alston evokes riveting
images reflecting the richness of African culture and historical lore;
the passion, humor, and pathos of African American literature and the
power of personal, historical narrative.Without scenery or props, she
brings folklore and literature alive, recreates historical events in
such a way that makes a personal connection to students while bringing
dignity to African and African-American peoples and cultures.This program
is a great way to break the American preconception that storytelling
is a benign activity purely for the entertainment of young children.
Program content is taken from Charlotte’s existing repertoire
and generally adheres to the following format:
• A brief explanation of the African oral tradition
• A traditional African folktale
• Retelling of an historical event or person in American history
• Story told in contemporary style
• Selected songs and poems (Dudley Randall, Langston Hughes and
others)
• Story just for fun
(Length: 45 to 50 min. school assembly program plus Q & A if desired)
Tell The Stories So That They May Knowbbbbbb
Back
to top
(Adult concert)
“I tell stories because I have been commanded by those ancestors
whose collective toil, tears, pain‚ hopes, and dreams beckoned
me into existence so that I might speak their stories and my own.”
Thus begins the opening praise song to this riveting program. Drawing
on the ancient role of the jalimuso (female storyteller) of W.Africa
Charlotte draws the audience across bridge of intercultural connections.With
a melodic and mesmerizing speaking and singing voice, she brings to
life stories ancient and new, hilarious and poignant, searching and
hopeful.Come walk that bridge to a new understanding of the oral culture
and historical sensibility of a people and of our commonalities and
interconnectedness as Americans; as human beings. (90 minutes without
an intermission)
Pearls
At The Foot of the Bedbbbbbb
Back
to top
(Adult concert)
A moving tribute to the major influence in Charlotte’s life, her
father. Charlotte gives us an intimate look at the man and at the relationship
forged between two kindred spirits; father and daughter.This hour-long
program weaves personal narrative with traditional stories and celebrates
the oft forgotten or minimized empowering influence of men in the lives
of their children. Should not be missed! (Both 60 and 90-minute programs)
