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

Upcoming Public Performances/Events

Monday, July 6, 6-9pm
Staying Inspired: Almost as fun as getting inspired!
Panel discussion moderated by Stay Inspired founder Charlie Hess
How to maintain your inspiration when the going gets tough.
Gallery 138, 138 West 17th St. 5th floor, New York City
More details and reservations.

Vi Hilbert

July 14, 2-9 pm on Whidbey Island, WA
A Tribute to a Great Soul:
A Circle of Friends Come Together to Share and Celebrate
the Late Vi Hilbert.
Laura Simms and many other storytellers participating.
More info here.

Wednesday, July 15, 7 pm
Mercy Into the World: An Evening of Storytelling
Explore the nature of compassion and its power to transform us and our world. Laura will tell riveting tales about encounters with ex-combatants, shamans, native elders, and storytellers worldwide, interwoven through a remarkable Moldavian fairytale called Break of Day. This is an evening that will take us each on an inner journey with patience, fierce kindness, and surprise.
Seattle Waldorf School, 2728 NE 100th St, Seattle. Admission $10.00. Email for info.

More 2009 events on schedule page.

Study Storytelling with Laura Simms

Saturday and Sunday, June 20 - 21
Stories that Transform: The Storyteller's Art
presented by Laura Simms
The Hub Halifax, 1673 Barrington St., 2nd Fl.
Join us in Halifax for a day and a half of learning and sharing
with storyteller Laura Simms. Details here.


2009 Laura Simms Storytelling Residency
IMPORTANT: Because of health concerns in Mexico, 
we have relocated the retreat to Whidbey Island, WA
DATES ARE ALSO CHANGED! (this is new info, posted June 12)

July 9 to 13, 2009
Starts at 5 pm July 9. Ends teatime on July 13.
Note that the Vi Hilbert tribute is on July 14, also on Whidbey Island.
See  Storytelling Residency Page for more details

Four days and evenings of storytelling training and meditation (with drummer extraordinaire Barbara Borden) 
at Marsh House Retreat Center on beautiful Whidbey Island north of Seattle.
New reduced price is $850. Those staying at nearby bunk house can save even more. 
More exact details soon to be posted. RSVP soon. Limited to 15 participants.

New Interview with Laura
"Wise Words: Laura Simms" interview with Jacqueline Kaufman
begins on page 10 of "Reflective Voices." View PDF of the Spring 2009 issue.

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)"

Four Laura Simms Storytelling Albums
are now available for download on iTunes!
Four Legged Tales: Animal Stories*; Making Peace: Heart Uprising*;
Women and Wild Animals**; & Dance Without End**.
Individual Stories are $.99 each, albums are $9.99-$11.99. Simply search for Laura Simms in the store section.
*These two albums are also avail on www.amazon.com as mp3 downloads.
For info on these two ** albums, see Better Listen.
The Inner Journey book

Recent Writings
Under the Current Leaves by Laura Simms, a new book of essays on storytelling.
Release will be announced in 2009 from Codhill Press, NY.
The Inner Journey: Myth, Psyche, and Spirit, edited by Martha Heyneman.
Morning Light Press, 2008, part of the Parabola Anthology Series. Two of Laura's essays are included.

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.