Storytelling Favorite, Marilyn McPhie, Returns For The 25th Festival

When storyteller Marilyn McPhie’s oldest children started pre-school she was given the option of cleaning, painting playground equipment ,or telling stories to the students. Thank goodness she picked the third option which led to telling stories in libraries, then schools, then national festivals, and sharing her wonderful wit and wisdom with our Mariposa audience at the 25^th Mariposa Storytelling Festival, March 9 -11, 2012.  Making her third appearance at this Mariposa County Arts Council event, Marilyn is a festival favorite known for telling stories found in out-of-print children’s books to listeners of all ages.

 “A kid’s story can be adapted for adults. Make the language more sophisticated; give it a new slant; and emphasize the complex thematic subtleties that adults appreciate. I like the freedom and creativity in that.”  Marilyn also uses her vivid imagery to tell traditional tales and her audience might hear a few tales from her one-woman show, “Chocolate and Other Family Values” which may or may not be fattening, but it’s sure to be delicious.

Marilyn has been telling stories professionally since 1985 and has performed for groups from preschool to adult, from Massachusetts to California. She has directed a troupe of student storytellers and writes a review column for a national parenting publication about storytelling resources.  A judge for the annual NAPPA Awards, she is also a California state liaison for the National Storytelling Network.

To purchase tickets for the 25^th Mariposa Storytelling Festival, March 9 – 11, 2012, contact the Mariposa County Arts Council at (209) 966-3155, (800) 903-9936 or visit: www.arts-mariposa.org to download a brochure and learn more about the seven featured storytellers.   Friday and Saturday’s performances take place at Mariposa County High School; Sunday’s storytelling will be in the Park Service East Auditorium, at the Visitor’s Center, in Yosemite National Park.