Laura Simms, Storyteller

Laura Simms is an internationally renowned storyteller, writer, teacher and activist committed
to excellent performances and compassionate action in the world.
Her groundbreaking work combines ancient myth and fairytale with personal narrative.

Presently, Laura is telling stories throughout the world as well as creating projects through her
humanitarian organization GAINDEH PROJECTS (translates as the first rays of sun
in the morning from the Mende language), consulting on TV pilots, working with people in crisis,
and saving a zoo (or relocating animals to more appropriate zoos) as a community renewal initiative in Romania. Read the latest March ZOONEWZ.

Now her work expands further as she includes her adopted son Ishmael Beah in her work.
See Laura's new page about her life with this remarkable young man,
author of the New York Times bestseller "A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier."

Please read about Laura's shows, mentoring and study opportunities and the fabulous books,
cds and tapes available in our marketplace.

Photo Credit: Kent Miles

New Essay
Read Laura Simms's "Being in the Story: Achieving the Impossible"
Download the essay here (costs $.20)
Laura Simms recounts two weeks spent with Gypsy children in Romania, using invented storytelling to achieve the seemingly impossible. This essay is part of a series on creative applications of story in peacemaking, healing, bridge building and reconciliation processes in groups and communities around the world.
Laura's essay was selected as one of two essays to be published in the online service,
"The Storyteller and the Listener Online (Blog)"

Upcoming Public Performances/Events
Thursday, February 7
Salt Lake City, time place to be announced.
Public event at the University of Utah
The Environment and the Power of Story
Reading, Storytelling and Conversation with
author Ishmael Beah, Laura Simms, and Terry Tempest Williams
For information contact Heidi Camp.
Workshop continues Friday evening and Saturday morning
for students oat the University of Utah Dept. of Environmental Studies
For more information contact Alexandra Hesse at The Leonardo
801-531-9800

Look for the Digital Release of two classic Laura Simms titles 
"Dance Without End" and "Women and Wild Animals" 
coming in Spring 2008 at BetterListen.com

Study Storytelling with Laura Simms

November 15 through April 2008. 
Laura's Storytelling Mentorship Program
Each participant commits to working with Laura and other mentees for six months. Full details here.

Tuesday, April 1
Children’s Author Symposium: Home Is Where the Heart Is
William Paterson University, Wayne, NJ

Saturday, April 12
16th Annual Conference, Storytelling for Children
"Why are Stories Powerful?
Keene State College, Keene, NH

Monday, April 14, 4-5:30 pm
“Sweet Words: Storytelling as Compassionate Action”
Part of a 5-day conference with the Dalai Lama | Seattle, WA

Friday and Saturday, April 25- 26
33rd Annual Rocky Mountain Storytellers’ Conference
Broomfield, CO
“Storygarden: From Seeds to Blossom”

June 29 - July 3, 2008
Plan now to attend the
Laura Simms Annual Storytelling Residency
Philo, California

See full performance/workshop schedule and workshops/coaching/mentoring programs page

Recent Writings

AN OCEAN OF STORIES. Laura has recently completed a 31-story, 29-country assembly of international stories. An Ocean of Stories is part of the SEED Water Project where you can explore folktales about water from around the world and find activities that will help you create stories—from your own imagination or by working with others. These stories are offered to inform, inspire and delight. But mostly they are offered to be shared and to remind us of our common human history and our dependence on water to keep us alive.

BEING IN THE STORY: Achieving the Impossible by Laura Simms. Laura recounts two weeks spent with Gypsy children in Romania, using invented storytelling for peace and empowerment.