Storytelling
Storytelling is an ancient oral art that has bonded people and promoted curiosity and understanding for thousands of years. It involves the teller bringing her own creative interpretation to a story, breathing life into it with her heart and unique abilities. Storytelling is not reading aloud, but rather a performance of word and tradition. Most of my stories are traditional folktales, passed down through generations and ultimately singing to me. I specialize in stories from the Celtic tradition and east Africa, based on collecting stories in Scotland and Kenya. I also tell trickster tales from around the world, literary tales from books, and delightfully creepy stories to chill anyone’s bones. My performances are tailored according to the audience, from young child to adult.
For more than forty years I have been telling stories—first as a children’s librarian in Colorado and Oregon, and now as a professional storyteller working from my home in Bend, Oregon. A performance is not a reading. I step away from the book and let the tale live in the room, carried by voice, gesture, song, and a little bit of magic, shaped by the faces in front of me.
What a performance looks like
Every performance is tailored to its audience. For young children I bring puppets— including Winston, my sheepdog sidekick—along with songs and plenty of invitations to join in. For teens and adults I lean into the drama and mystery of a well-told folktale, gathering listeners close as though around an imaginary fire. A set can run from a single storytime to a full evening concert, and I am glad to build a program around a theme, a season, or the reason you are gathering.
Stories I tell
Most of what I share are traditional folktales, part of an oral storytelling tradition passed down through generations until they finally sang to me. I specialize in Celtic stories of the Otherworld, gathered while collecting tales in Scotland, and East African stories from time spent living and collecting in Kenya. I also tell trickster tales from around the world, literary tales drawn from books, and delightfully creepy stories to rattle your bones. Seasonal programs—a winter solstice evening, holiday tales, an autumn night of ghostly stories—are some of my favorites to bring to a community.
Who I perform for
I have performed for libraries, schools, festivals, service clubs, and conferences, and I represented the United States at international storytelling festivals in New Zealand and Scotland and the Rocky Mountain region at the National Storytelling Festival. Whether you are planning a family storytime, a school visit, a festival stage, or an evening program for adults, there is a story ready for the occasion.
Where I perform
I am based in Bend, Oregon, and I love bringing storytelling to audiences across Central Oregon. I also travel more widely, so if you are searching for a storyteller near you beyond the high desert, please reach out—my fee includes travel, and I am always happy to talk through the details.
Fee Information
My fee is generally $300 per day, with a maximum of four performances, plus travel expenses. However, please contact me for details and negotiations.
What audiences say
“Thank you from the very cockles of our hearts—for the confidence and feel of a parenting win, for the songs and stories we’ll carry forward, for the silliness and fun, and for making (our son) so unbelievably happy.”
“You told a story at the OLA Conference in Bend. I was blown away by your powerful performance. Then I briefly wondered how I would ever get a job if libraries had Oscar-worthy performers on staff. It was a great session.”
“Visiting the library and going to your storytime hour was so impactful on my life and my favorite part of the day. You were so cool and talented and I loved how you brought all of the stories to life with your character voices and song.”
“Dear Heather McNeil. You are so cool. Do you have a dog? I do. You rock!”
Training your storytime team instead? Explore my storytelling and early literacy workshops.