Share a Story - Change the World
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Reisa Stone
- 109, Female
- Vancouver, BC
- Canada
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- Blog Posts (12)
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- Groups (9)
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Reisa Stone's Groups
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New Media - Blogs, Pod...
61 members
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Open Topics
23 members
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Animal Stories
23 members
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Jewish Storytelling
21 members
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Professional Storytell...
17 members
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Reisa Stone's Page
Profile Information
- About Me:
- Reisa collects and rewrites Ukrainian legends as well as recounting her intense experiences with animals tame and wild.
She is currently seeking representation for her gonzo memoir of a Baba, "My Goat Prefer Naked: Ukrainian Soul Food with Stories From the Village." These are wild stories Reisa has collected over a lifetime of listening to refugees and immigrants. Check out her very brief story sound clips in the left hand column! Yes, it says "My Music," but these are stories.
In her performances, malcontent Babas wreak borshch mayhem, a murder of crows attend a funeral, and a young man wins the heart of a princess by paying respect to his ancestral heritage of horsemanship---but not before napping on a wood stove and singing an erotic homage to baked fish.
Reisa's first job was acting in a Sears commercial at the age of four. She recently narrated a special for Bravo TV, and brought a local environmental issue to national attention through storytelling in the media. She sings bluegrass and is a gospel music soloist. She performs with the Shadbolt Centre.
A devotee of St. Francis, she is passionate about rescuing abused or slaughterhouse-bound horses. Her photos (below) show such a mother-daughter pair, now in loving sanctuary near her home. Mama mare is not only a sweetheart & perfectly sound, she is a rarity: an amber champagne Appaloosa with snowflakes, reverse dappling and a frosted mane and tail. Some people don't know what treasure is.
Reisa also utilizes her extensive dog experience to socialize rescues at her local shelter. She is fulfilling her childhood dream of both mothering countless animals and performing on stage.
"May my heart be broken by the things that break the heart of God."
The reason I'm joining Professional Storyteller
Why Storytelling?
by Reisa Stone
Storytelling is a way to inform each other of our deepest needs, feelings and our history. Of our interdependence not only with each other, but with all species and the cosmos. Story defines and binds together community by revealing how we are alike and yet each unique. It instructs by bringing humour and comprehension to unbearable situations, bridging disturbing paradox and suggesting creative solutions to emotionally charged dilemmas. Storytelling is a way to simultaneously explicitly describe and leave unsaid the Mystery; that which brings us into being, animates us, moves between us and causes our deaths.
At the core of every classic myth, Biblical lesson, modern novel and movie is story. For thousands of years, African storytellers called griots have recited tales of tribal history that span days. This tradition comes to us in Blues and Gospel music. Jesus of Nazareth is probably the best known storyteller in history; would we still be recounting his legend if he had presented a list of facts instead of mesmerizing parables?
Through the Middle Ages and Renaissance, travelling storytellers known as minstrels enlightened isolated European villages to both mundane details of others' lives and vital political information with life or death implications. In my homeland of Ukraine, these people were called kobzari. The information they shared was considered so vital, Stalin had them rounded up and executed. My recent painful discovery of this fact led to my emergence as a storyteller.
In contemporary culture, sharing stories from the heart is a powerful remedy for the electronic fast fact, the cult of celebrity and media disinformation. Storytellers are needed more than ever, right now. Storytelling reminds us of the beautiful complexity of being human and humane.
©2006 Reisa Stone. May not be reproduced in any form without written permission.
by Reisa Stone
Storytelling is a way to inform each other of our deepest needs, feelings and our history. Of our interdependence not only with each other, but with all species and the cosmos. Story defines and binds together community by revealing how we are alike and yet each unique. It instructs by bringing humour and comprehension to unbearable situations, bridging disturbing paradox and suggesting creative solutions to emotionally charged dilemmas. Storytelling is a way to simultaneously explicitly describe and leave unsaid the Mystery; that which brings us into being, animates us, moves between us and causes our deaths.
At the core of every classic myth, Biblical lesson, modern novel and movie is story. For thousands of years, African storytellers called griots have recited tales of tribal history that span days. This tradition comes to us in Blues and Gospel music. Jesus of Nazareth is probably the best known storyteller in history; would we still be recounting his legend if he had presented a list of facts instead of mesmerizing parables?
Through the Middle Ages and Renaissance, travelling storytellers known as minstrels enlightened isolated European villages to both mundane details of others' lives and vital political information with life or death implications. In my homeland of Ukraine, these people were called kobzari. The information they shared was considered so vital, Stalin had them rounded up and executed. My recent painful discovery of this fact led to my emergence as a storyteller.
In contemporary culture, sharing stories from the heart is a powerful remedy for the electronic fast fact, the cult of celebrity and media disinformation. Storytellers are needed more than ever, right now. Storytelling reminds us of the beautiful complexity of being human and humane.
©2006 Reisa Stone. May not be reproduced in any form without written permission.
Reisa Stone's Photos
Reisa Stone's Blog
How are you celebrating St. Francis Day?
St. Francis is the patron saint of animals. His day is Sunday, October 4th. A couple of Vancouver, BC churches are offering an Animal Blessing.
I've been to one, and was astonished at the variety of pets. Though dogs predominated, the church lawn was filled with everything from hedgehogs to horses.
This year, I'm asking our animal shelter to bring a dog or two, along with flyers about adopting rescued creatures.
What are you doing for St. Francis Day?
I've been to one, and was astonished at the variety of pets. Though dogs predominated, the church lawn was filled with everything from hedgehogs to horses.
This year, I'm asking our animal shelter to bring a dog or two, along with flyers about adopting rescued creatures.
What are you doing for St. Francis Day?
Posted on September 30, 2009 at 12:36pm — 1 Comment
What to do with fledgling crows?
It's that time of year again. Crow and other avian parents are pushing their babies out of the nest, hoping they'll learn to fly.
I've seen two situations recently where city people didn't know what to do when faced with a fledgling crow on the ground. They thought it was hurt, abandoned, etc. You can tell they're babies because they have blue eyes, their feathers aren't a fully glossy black, and they're a bit smaller than adults (but not by much). They crow hop along and look confused, making… Continue
I've seen two situations recently where city people didn't know what to do when faced with a fledgling crow on the ground. They thought it was hurt, abandoned, etc. You can tell they're babies because they have blue eyes, their feathers aren't a fully glossy black, and they're a bit smaller than adults (but not by much). They crow hop along and look confused, making… Continue
Posted on July 1, 2009 at 2:30pm —
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© 2009 Created by Dianne de Las Casas, Author, Award-Winning Storyteller on Ning. Create a Ning Network!
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Ta for your fan mail - it's always great to hear from new friends who read my website. The Kangaroo Valley project was 4 yeasr ago - I do hope I have another one like it soon. Your book of interviews sounds interesting too. Is it for sale/ I am always interested in other oral history projects & publications.
Love & stories,
Anna
it was soooo long ago- don't remember exact ones- probably prudential, maye colgate..wish I was still collecting on those!!!
thanks for finding me!
I was introduced to storytelling by my voice clients & have enjoyed teaching in this community while learning its 'culture'.
Are you acquainted with VASTA (voice & speech trainers ssociation, vasta.org)? It is for those of us who teach voice (or speech & dialects) for speaking voice, mostly but not exclusively in theater/ acting settings. A very nice, friendly & knowledgeable bunch.
There are several members in Vancouver, as well as Calgary, Toronto, Seattle. (forgive the pitch here, I'm on the Board!)
& how cool to connect St. Francis with animal welfare, for some stupid reason I had never made that connection although I have several figures of him in the house (no animals though).
have a great December - Joanna
Your story about the crows attending the funeral sounds intriguing.
Do you have any version of a story about a wolf who throws her fur cloak off to become a woman? And are you familiar with Angela Carter?
Best,
Coilín.
Brava for speaking for the animals! My own pets are in some of my stories, because they are an important part of my life. But the strongest recent connection I have is through my Living History of Irene Castle. While Vernon and Irene Castle as a team are remembered for their remarkable dancing career, Irene's biggest legacy is the result of her work as an animal rights activist. The animal shelter she started in 1928 west of Chicago, "Orphans of the Storm" is still in operation - in 2008 they celebrated their 80th anniversary. She is a funny lady, as well as compassionate, so it is a joy to tell her story.
Susan Marie
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