Liz Nichols

Chevy Chase, MD
eliznich@gmail.com
301-202-4141 or 415-505-7941 (mobile)
http://www.liznichols.net

Introduction

Liz Nichols got lost in the 398 (Folklore & Mythology) section of the public library at age ten, and hasn’t found her way out yet! For 15 years, as a professional storyteller and educator, she has brought her deep love of world cultures and her warm, humorous nature to audiences and students of all ages. She has a special affinity for tales from her Jewish heritage, and of Japan, where she lived and studied for two years.

A gifted teacher and coach, her passion is to help everyone realize they have a story to tell and provide them the safe and fun starting point to take a risk and tell it! Among those who have blossomed under her guidance are elementary school children, museum docents, active seniors, dementia caregivers, and people with Alzheimers’ and memory loss. She is also a Certified Laughter Yoga Leader – hahaha!

Sample Storytelling Performances

Once Upon a Friendship: Stories, the Original Character Education
The Magic Pomegranate: Jewish Tales of Heroes & Fools
Mukashi, Mukashi: Asian Myths & Folktales for Kids & Families
The Stories Behind the Poses: Yoga+Stories = Fun!
Creation is a Messy Business: World Mythology for Grownups
Lost & Found: One Woman’s Journey Through Folklore & Life

Liz has told stories at a wide variety of venues including:

Washington Folk Festival, Glen Echo, MD
HHS/SSH Annual Grantee Conference: Opening Doors to Housing & Recovery, Washington DC
Kensington Row Bookstore Story Salon, Kensington MD
YogaChai Yoga Studio, Washington DC
Tell It On Tuesday, Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, Berkeley CA
Tellabration!™ , Rockridge Library, Oakland CA
Community Literacy Night, Fremont Library, Fremont CA

Sample Workshops

CHILDREN

Once Upon a Time… Storytelling Workshop for Children 8 – 11
Stories + Art = Fun! (hands on stories & easy art-craft projects for ages 5 –
Pass It On! An Intergenerational Storytelling Project

ADULTS

Find Your Voice – Share Your Stories!
How to Learn a Folktale in an Hour (great for teachers & librarians)
Using Storytelling Techniques to Enhance Your Docent Tours
Pass It On! An Intergenerational Storytelling Project
TimeSlips® Creative Group Storytelling for People with Dementia*

Or have Liz custom-design a program for your event!

More about TimeSlips®

TimeSlips is an innovative and effective group storytelling method that helps people with dementia reaffirm their humanity and connect with staff, family and friends. The method replaces the pressure to remember with the encouragement to imagine.

Each story begins with an attention-grabbing photo image. Facilitators guide the storytelling session by asking open-ended questions, listening intently, writing down all responses, and weaving them together by repeating the story as it grows. The method values the unique voices of individual participants, their heritage, perspective, and present level of ability. This program is stimulating and fun, creating an environment where all responses are accepted and elders feel safe to participate.

TimeSlips is a nation-wide project of the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee’s Center on Age & Community. Liz is a TimeSlips facilitator and trainer, and serves as National Coordinating Trainer for the project.She received a 2011 Member Grant from NSN (Ntl Storytelling Network) to bring TimeSlips to elders in DC. Learn more at www.timeslips.org or listen to a WAMU 88.5FM radio piece about Liz’s work at: http://wamu.org/programs/metro_connection/11/10/21/moving_beyond_memories_telling_stories_with_timeslips

What people are saying about Liz Nichols…..

“It was wonderful to watch the looks of delight on the faces of the audience as your tale unfolded.”
- G Orwig, Librarian

“You did such a wonderful job of reminding us of the universality and wonder of creation myths. I loved the way you captivated both the children and adults alike with your soulful tellings.”
- C Leoncio, Unitarian Universalists of San Mateo

“The story was funny because of the way she made people go up and make the sounds and how the wife kept having to go back to the wiseman! I like how she put in the Japanese words, too, she made them kind of easy to learn.”
- A Reyes, student (age 12)

“Liz worked with our Docents on incorporating storytelling techniques as tools that can be successfully utilized during docent tours – communicating content information in a way that focuses the mind and stimulates the imagination. I was impressed with her patience and perseverance in working with some Docents who were less than receptive to new ideas.”
-S Thiele, Museum Education Specialist

“The story that you shared help us make our conference as interactive as possible this year, and will inspire grantees as they work to open doors and make [homeless] individuals feel welcome.”
- C Le Fauve, Ph.D., US Dept. of Health & Human Services

“My students were spellbound as Liz brought to life stories, from as far away as Japan and as long ago as the Gold Rush, of individuals who helped their communities. What really impressed me was how they made all kinds of connections between their own experiences and people from other times and places. ”
- R Schneider, 1st grade teacher

“[Liz’s storytelling workshop] was great! Well-planned, it had fun and helpful exercises for kids and gave positive encouragement and space for those who found it more difficult. Her excitement about the material showed!”
- J Ferrar, 4th grade teacher

“Some of the members that usually have difficulty expressing themselves were able to create ideas and contribute to the stories. I thought that the biggest strength was getting the men all to work together. The whole thing was great!”
- E Lanning, memory loss support group leader

“It was invaluable to be able to watch Liz do a session with elders…and then come back and try it ourselves. Liz is a great and effective presenter.”
- L Reuhlmann, professional storyteller