JEFF GERE

Storyteller, Educator, Puppeteer
P.O. Box 37495, Honolulu, HI. 96837,
www.jeffgere.com , jeffgere@lava.net

hty-nice-smileBA 1975  Art History & Studio Art (double major) University of California, Davis
MA 1979  Interdisciplinary Arts (Performance Art), San Francisco State University
Profession: Retired at end of 2014 after 28 years as ‘Drama Specialist’ for City & County of Honolulu, Department of Parks & Recreation

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STORY PRODUCTIONS & SERIES

Talk Story CAMP & TOURJuly 2013 July 2012 July 20113 days, 2 nights (a week of activities total), Mainland Stars & local storytellers give workshops, concerts, opening & closing ceremony, Imu dinner, canoe rides & campfires at Windward Oahu's gorgeous Kualoa Camp (on the beach) 2013, permit revoked so 7 storytellers did the Not Camp Tour (1 week daily tells, see all at www.talkstorycamp.com
Talk Story CONFERENCEJuly 16-20, 2009National Storytelling Networks Pacific Region Conference @ Queen Kapiolani Hotel. Hawaiis best, National & Pacific Rim talents. 5 packed days + 2 touring Oahu + 4 days Maui
Talk Story FESTIVALAnnually Octobers 1989- 2014Creator/host of Hawaiis biggest storytelling celebration. 3 or 2 free nights of island tellers & a few mainland guests, Sign interpreters, dramatic lighting, video projections, live music occasionally, big crowds, great publicity, business sponsors.
Talk Story TOURSOct 05-14, 1990-19953 or 4 tellers (local & national) tour schools, libraries, & local venues via Univ. of Hawaii, wide variety of public shows. Not lucrative, reach all major islands in wide variety of settings & audiences, many unique experiences.
Talk Story RADIOAug 2005 - Sept 200730 minute themed story shows weekly on Hawaii Public Radio, KTUH (Univ Hawaii) & ManaÕo Radio (Maui), 13,000 listeners/week. Podcasts at www.talkstoryradio.com (Parks Dept. & Campbell Foundation.)
STORY TV1992- 2014monthly storytelling programs air on Olelo: Community Access TV (2000s Best Performing Arts Series (Art Off Wall)
ARABIAN NIGHTS SeriesJan 2003 - June 2004With 2 musicians & belly dancer, opened Doris Duke Islamic Museum with 4 tales (all sold out) at Honolulu Art Museum (National Endowment for Humanities). Then 10 X 90+ minute tales in Chinatowns Indigo Restaurant Bar over 18 months of sold-out Saturday shows.
ART OFF THE WALL Series97-98, 99-00, '00-01collaborative interdisciplinary group shows interpreting 5 exhibits a year at Honolulu's The Contemporary Museum (Hawaii Community Foundation Grants)
TALES Concerts Univ. of HiiJuly '13, '12, '11, 90-97annual workshop & evening concert. Various Topics: Story Band, Italian Tales, Spookies; children & adult, solo & group. Later, 4 session Instructional Class (Outreach College).

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OTHER SELECTED HAWAII TELLS

Boy Who Fell in Love With A StarNov 16 & 1984 (2 months)Jeff co-wrote this preschool musical, produced & acted in this run-away hit when he arrived in Hawaii. It will be remounted in fall, 2016 at Bishop Museum Planetarium.
Collage ExhibitOct. 2016Jeffs first one man exhibit of 80 collages & shadow shows (Arts @ Marks Garage, Honolulu)
SOLO Tells25 years (+)continual performances & tours include all school levels & ages, public & private; museums, libraries, conferences, prisons, shelters, parks, community centers, across Hawaii & abroad; ongoing radio & TV. Annually featured at Honolulu Book & Music Festival, MidSummer Night's Gleam, etc.
Oahu Parks Department1987 to 201670ish shows a year includes annual tours in Summer Fun Program (8000 kids), teens, seniors, special events of all kind & sizes.Retired to end 2014, still do Sum Fun shows.
SPOOKY ShowOctober 2012Honolulu Theater for Youth featured Jeff's tales & shadow puppets (Tenney Theater 3 weeks, 2 shows/day + publics, 3-6 grades, designed as a solo touring show, all on YouTube)
Halloweens2001-Obake! Japanese Cultural Center ('06-08); 100 Candles, 4 hours of ghost tales, 500 attend ('07, Kapiolani Community College (other shows 01, 03, 05). Spooky Tours to Maui & Big Island (solo & group tours '07- 11). Arts at Marks Garage & Maui Art & Culture Center (05), Hawaii Public Radio (03, 01), Burbank Family Film Fest. (03,02), Bishop Museum (solo & group series), Sea Life Park (twice), Bar Assoc. 03.
MenologuesFeb 04Male respond to Vagina Monologues w/ rappers, slam poets.
Three PigsJuly 2003story & shadow tour w/symphonic quintet (Cooke Foundation)
Japanese Immigrate to HawaiiDec 14Japanese Buddhist & Shinto Group stages storytelling reading, my shadow puppets & script rewrite of immigration to cane field labors. Hawaii Theater, international event
Lualualei Story FestNov 02 & June 98Hawaiian spooky true tales for 5,000 Waianae residents in Maile Beach Park
Wind & RainJune- Aug 01duet weaves comedy, tales, music & puppets making gory English ballad into a full show (Arts @ Mark's Garage)
Yo Pharaoh!Mar-01interprets Egyptian myths in story & shadow with dancer & two musicians (Honolulu Academy of Art commission)
Van Gogh's GhostFeb & Aug 99Monologue of passion & madness (LA County Museum Art commission & show, restaged at Honolulu Academy Arts).
HearSay1997- 98story band trio (songs, stories & shadow puppets) (Univ. of Hawaii, Academy of Arts, bars & backyards, weddings)

NATIONAL TELLS

8/13 TennesseeInternational Storytelling Center Residency a week of daily concerts in storytell center: Jonesborough
N. Carolina, Kentucky Ohio, CaliforniaTour shows nightly in quick swing through N. Carolina, Kentucky, Ohio; finally California storytelling at Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles.
4/13 CaliforniaLos Angeles Puppet Festival (Skirball Cultural Center, who commissioned a new tale for the event.) Also several story sets at San Diego Story Fest.
3/12 NY, DC, FloridaSharing the Fire Conference (workshop, New York) Library of Congress (get story recordings, Wash DC)Florida Story Camp (featured national teller, concerts & workshops over 3 days) & Miami Book Fest (Dec)
3/11 OregonHearing Voices Tour (Portland Libraries, concert, classes; Arabian Night Tale, private home San Francisco
10/10 Jonesborough TennesseNational Story Festival Exchange Place Teller @ USA #1 story event. 12 minutes to 2000 in circus tent.
4/10 WisconsinNorthlands Story Conf.Group & solo tell, workshop
11/09 & 11/13 CaliforniaLos Angeles Story Festival 2 story concerts 2Xs. 2010-packed house concert after NSN Conference.
3/08 GeorgiaKennesaw University (Atlanta) Weekend Residency (workshops & concerts, fundraiser in Tennessee.
3/06 ArizonaAloha Festival 4 Hawaii tellers, big crowds, schools, workshop/tells at Storytelling Institute (Phoenix)
6/04 Washington (Bellingham)National Storytelling Conference Regional Teller Concert (1500 audience) & Arabian Nights Workshop
6/02, 03 NevadaBoulder City Folk Festival twice; school, workshop, festival tells & shadows
6/97 Idaho & 93-02 CalifNational Invitational Storytelling Contest Boise River Folk Festival (1 of 3 tellers). Annual Tour (LA & SF) big museums, libraries, schools, colleges, private homes. Flying Leap Fest. '99

INTERNATIONAL TELLS

2016 ToursAustralia Story Conference (May, workshop & tell), China (Sept. shadow classes & shows), India (Nov. Pune, Bangalore, tells & classes)
Thailand 1/15Mahasarakham International Storytelling Festival workshop & concerts, three cities & teach a week in University.
India 8/15Under Banyan Story Fest. 10 days of workshops & shows, Bangaolore, Chennai, Pune. 1 of 7 international tellers featured.
Romania 9/15Romanian Story Festival 10 days tell & teach in/around Arad. Returning again in 2017
Taiwan 8/14Taiwan Story Circus two weeks of solo & group tellings in Taichung & Taipei to teach English with 4 other tellers, Taipei & Taichung.
Canada 5/10Yellowknife Story Festival (arctic central Canada) 3 days with Hawaii, Arctic & Yukon tellers.
HongKong 6/05Faust Theater Festival Shaharazads 1st Tale, live drummer, shadows & tellings in Fringe Theater & a few other locations (Gecko Bar)
Canada 11/05Vancouver Storytelling Festival opening & 2 days of Arabian Night Tales & classes.
Turkey 11/04Karagoz Shadow Puppet Festival overhead & laptop shadows at UNICEF international event for a week, only American (Bursa).
Thailand 4/03English Story/Language Camps 2 weeks, for teachers & kids (Mahasarakham & Songkhla).
Spain 8/92Universal Expo (Sevilla) 1 of 45 of Hawaii modern & traditional artists, USA Pavilion for 2 weeks of daily shows.
Pacific 4/92 Amer Samoa; Guam, Rota, Tinian, Saipan art centers, villages, hotels, Micronesian Arts Festival with Makia Malo (Kalaupapa)
Italy 80-82Dream Theater experimental mask & mime shows, toured while care-taking villa near Florence, 13 city German tour, after Jeffs family to Hawaii.
Other TravelsParis 15, Alaska 08, Oaxaca 06, Turkey 03 twice, Bali 01, Israel & Egypt 00

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TEACHING EXPERIENCE

1987- 2014Parks ClassesStorytelling, Story Games, Story Slams, Puppetry (simple, huge, foam, shadows, plays), creative drama, mask, mime, stilts, improvs, choral reading, lights, skits (all kinds), etc.
2007-14Various / SpecialsHAEYC, Kama Aina & Seagull Preschool Conf. keynotes, ESL Speech Festival, School-Parent Reading Nights, Toastmasters, many docent & private school story teaching residencies.
1994 - 2014McGruff, Crime DogLecture/demonstrate Masks, coach utility workers, military, & police to be costumed character, able to tell kids a parable.
2004-10Castle ColleaguesAnnual storytell workshop in premier statewide preschool teacher training, Castle Fndtn, State Preschool Conferences
2001-05, 2009-10Art Off the Wall ClassDocent, Teacher, Student classes inter-relate the arts. Maui Art & Culture, Contemporary Museum, Honolulu Art Museum
Jan 1999Iolani School2 week Storytelling Residency for upper elementary classes in exclusive private Oahu School (Keables English Endowment)
1985- 87Humanities 100taught 6 semesters of Humanities survey class, Hawaii Pacific University Extension (Hickam Air Force Base)
1984-86Full Time TeacherOur Lady of Sorrows (Wahiawa) 4th grade all subjects, 5-6 History, K-6 storytelling teacher/teller, drama electives, Parent Night plays.

PRODUCTS

2010Two DVDsHaunted Hawaii LIVE! A Spooky collection, various venues, most with music, advanced video manipulations. Silly 'N Spooky kids tales on video (with piano) & creative video effects.
2010Inspiring Tales of HawaiiA 'storyteller on the streets' collection of amazing & moving events that have happened to and around Jeff in Hawaii. Very moving!
2010TwistedThe 'best' hair-raising collection of the weirdest, grizzley, chilling world folk & personal tales compiled over 15 years of recording.
2008Yakkity YakA collection of anecdotes & tales talking about telling stories (food for thought) with lots of rhyme and piano.
2008Two BrothersGrimms Tale put to free wheeling verse rhyme, piano & guitar. 75 minutes, 9 chapters, two musicians & it KICKS!
2008Cultures in CollisionSocial conflict & resolution tales with Lyn Ford and Alton Chung. Honors, 2008 Best Story Recording (Storytelling World)
2006Silly 'N SpookyPlayground classics of and for kids in Hawaii, told with piano and percussion. Played on Hawaiian Airline flights all Summer, 2006
2005Rank Devil Mountain3 HOT Hell/ devil/ fire stories (piano, percussion & didgeridoo) Honors, 2007 Best Story Recording (Storytelling World).
2004Haunted Hawaii 3A live solo tell before a lively audience. This collection features a harrowing trip to the Old Mililani Graveyard.
2003HH 2Chilling tales from Hawaii & Samoa, with percussion & piano.
2008HH1Supernatural tales include many about Pele (2001 re-recorded 08)
Various ArtistsDVDs: Jeeva Raghunath & Margaret Read MacDonald (2016), Ed Chevy (Deaf Poe) '15, Lyn Ford '14 CDs: Lopaka Kapanui 09, Marie Solomon (99)

ASSOCIATIONS

Since 1989National Storytelling Network USAs largest membership group. State Liason 94 on, Oracle Award (Pacific) 07, Fundraising Concert 08 (Tenn)
1990-12Alliance for Culture and Arts Co-creator, Board member of active non-profit corporation administering grants for public art events.

BOOK, ARTICLES & LINKS

How to Tell It Well Storytelling Systembook of Geres Storytelling methods, 91 pages, produced by Center for Disability Studies, University of Hawaii, 2013)
Nation Storytelling MagazineHawaiian Legend (3/11) Editorial on Media (9/07) Talk Story Radio (10/05) Parks tells (2/03) Mens Stories (4/01) Shadow Puppets (9/99)
Museletter (New England)Storytelling Journal Political Storytelling (2/07), Story TV (10/02)
Hawaii's Spookiest Stories(2006) Bess Press, compiled by Rick Carroll, one Gere story
TEAM UP! Telling in Tandemarticle on storytelling with musicians. Book produced/edited by Jonatha Wright (Ohio), 2010 Presto Storytelling Publications
Storyteller.net Amphitheaterwww.storyteller.net/amphitheater/38 (1/08) Talk Story 2007 review and Yakkity Yak: tales about tellin
YouTube VideosGere has 40 videos of his performances, full list upon request.
The Storytelling ProjectAmong 65 of Americas most prominent storytellers, video interviews (Cotsen Children's Library, Los Angeles, 1998).
Chicken Soup for Soul- Hawaiiincludes 2 Gere tales, distributed in Hawaii & West Coast (2003).
Storyteller Biography DirectoryAmong 120 English speaking storytellers, worldwide biographical directory (1998)

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CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS

July 2014National Story Conf ArizonaStory Radio Panel, Fringe: Haunted Hii Regional Concert
July 2011National Story Conf LA, CaliforniaStory Radio Panel, Fringe: Haunted Hii Regional Concert
July 2008Talk Story Conference Waikiki, HiProduced/hosted Pacific Regional Conf. 5 days, international audience & Maui Oracle Award Service & Leadership West
July 2007National Story Conf St. LouisWorkshop: Arabian Nights Series & Featured Regional Teller
July 2004National Story Conf Bellingham, WashingtonWorkshop: Arabian Nights Series & Featured Regional Teller
July 1999National Story Conf San Diego, CaliforniaWorkshop: telling with shadow puppets on overhead projector
July 1993National Story Conf Seattle, WashingtonWorkshop: Talk Story Fest & Pacific storytelling
June 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2016Hawaii Childrens Literature Biennial ConferenceOpening Keynote (2002) Readings, performances, workshops, panelist.
Jan. 2004Hii International Arts & Humanities Conf.Lecture & sold out Arabian Nights story theater (Gere, dancer, + 2 musicians)
2004Hii Child Abuse & Hii Parent Teacher Assoc.Keynotes for both statewide conferences
2002, 2006, 2009Pacific Rim Teacher Conf.teacher storytelling workshops and tells
1997, 1998, 1999, 2011Hawaii Independent Schools Conferencestorytelling classes, teacher workshops and tells

 SELECTED TELEVISION ACTIVITIES

1991- 2014STORY TV SeriesEdit & Air 30 minute Talk Story Festival tells monthly (Olelo Access TV). Best Creative Arts Series 2000.
2007Christabelle & Time Museum15 X 15 minute shows. I tell/read Rachel Funk sci-fi story (Dept of Education TV- airs continually)
2006Mainland TVMystery Hunters (Canadian Broadcasting Corp.), Blue Dolphin Show LA series for Hawaii kids.
2001National TVHaunted History (History Channel), Places of Mystery Series (Travel Channel), both on Hiis ghostlore, interview & tellings, still continue airing.
1995-97The Storytellers' Seriesco-produced 20 X 1/2 hour storytelling shows over 2 years at KITV 4 (Hawaiis ABC affiliate)
1996Silly SpookyJeff's original kid tales with puppetry, animation & music. Parent's Choice Honors, locally popular.
Oct 1995Chickenskin1 of 6 featured Hawaii tellers (KGMB Chl 9)
1988-90Olelo Series4 scripts teach simple Hawaiian (k-3rd grades). Built, moved & voiced puppets (Hii Dept. of Edctn)

REFERENCES

Chris ShoemakerDirectors, Acts of Creation & Fresh I Flix Video Program. Burbank, California. Took Jeff & 45 Hawaii artists to Spain, 1992.Ê
Mark BrannerProfessor, University of Hawaii Drama & Dance Department
Tim SlaughterDirector, University of Hawaii Outreach College, collaborator/ employer for numerous solo/group tours ongoing for decades.
Eric JohnsonArtistic Director, Honolulu Theatre for Youth, directed Jeff's SPOOKY solo show in October 2012.
Ruth StotterFounding Director, Dominican College Storytelling Program (Tiburon, California) Home Concerts for 15 years, teller at Jeff's Talk Story Fest. Conf. & Camp, co-teacher Iolani School residency