Sue Searing
Sue Searing loves to share all sorts of stories: traditional folk and fairy tales; stories drawn from history and family lore; and original tales inspired by her own life experiences. Sue has performed at schools, theaters, churches, breweries, libraries, and coffeehouses, and at the State Fair. She engages audiences online and on the radio, as well as in person. Sue has won story slams in the Twin Cities and took first place in the Great American Story Contest in Park Rapids, MN. She is a member of SAM’s board of directors and manages SAM’s online presence. You can learn more about Sue (and hear more of her stories) at suesearing.com.
Julie Gustafson
Born and raised in the suburbs of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Julie has been performing as a storyteller since 2022. She aims to engage with audiences with content that is derived from the wild, endearing, heartbreaking and flat out comical experiences she’s had on her journey through life. “I guess you had to be there,” isn’t a phrase in Julie’s vocabulary, through her stories, she will bring you along for the ride!
Nicholas Pawlowski
Nicholas Pawlowski M. Ed. founded The Story Table Foundation to promote mental and emotional wellbeing through interactive storytelling! Nicholas believes that children learn best when we talk with rather than at them. Consequently, his use of improvisation, drawing and dancing help foster healthy childhood development, as well as teach values like empathy, thankfulness, kindness and cooperation. Over the years, Nicholas has observed that children's programs are better when they're intergenerational. Nicholas strives to present timeless tales that people of all ages can grow up with rather than out of! The contributions of our elders and extended family members are always welcome! Learn more at www.storytablefoundation.org
Trần Thị Minh Phước
As a retired librarian, a respected storyteller, a 2023 Minnesota State Fair Blue Ribbon author, a 2024 featured author of the Anoka Library, and an award-winning author, Trần Thị Minh Phước has shared her experiences, her stories and knowledge of Vietnamese culture at various cultural events, storytelling programs, libraries, universities, colleges, and schools throughout the state and beyond. In addition, she had dedicated her time to helping new immigrants transition into life in America. Her work has inspired others to also pursue their dreams and a good education. Phước Trần fled Vietnam in 1982 on a crowded boat and ended up in a Malaysian refugee camp for ten months before coming to the United States. Wanting to learn English, she spent much time at local libraries which inspired her future career path to become a librarian and serve people like herself. Her upcoming book Vietnamese Folktales For Children: Stories of Adventure and Wonder in Vietnamese and English, released in October 2024. Phước Trần resides in Minneapolis.
Kathleen Johnson
Kathleen is a musician and storyteller with a love of words, sounds and images. She explores ways to bring time-honored folktales and personal essays to modern audiences. Whether working with litigating attorneys preparing for court or fourth-grade students preparing for Spring concerts, she shares a toolbox of ideas to help illuminate and enliven the story that wants to be told. Kathleen graduated from Eastman School of Music in NY, studied acting with the Shakespeare Theatre Company in DC, and was Musical Act 2012 at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival. She presently resides in Arlington, Texas.
Pam Schweitzer
Pam Schweitzer loves a good folk tale and loves to learn about other people through the stories they tell. She is a board member of Story Arts of Minnesota and has actively organized five different StoryFests since 2018. Her style of storytelling is very physical and she uses physical humor to tell the story. As a literacy intervention specialist, she knows the need that children have to cultivate their imaginations, grow their understanding of how they relate to this world and the understanding of how to navigate that world. The wonder of story is that it does all those things, and is a blast. Pam weaves interaction into her stories encouraging everyone to come along and enjoy the fun.
Bambi Huyen Tran
Bambi Tran is the director of Tu Bi Tu's cultural preservation organization as well as a volunteer group. Our purpose, mission, and desire is to preserve, demonstrate, show, teach and continue our Vietnamese culture, and heritage -- in Minnesota, the USA, and the world. We do this so future generations can learn and understand who we are, our values, and our history. We share and celebrate our identity through traditional dance and music, and service -- for example, we prepare and offer food to all those who wish to attend our Sunday prayers to Buddha at our temple -- we wish to reach out and share with all people, as our compassionate and enduring heart celebrates and welcomes.