Oba William King: Poetic Storyteller

Description

Storyteller, Teaching Artist, Workshops, Residencies, and presenter of family reading night activities. Recent programs presented at George HW Bush Presidential Library, The Jonesborough International Storytelling Center, The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, The Sun Foundation, and schools, libraries, colleges, churches, cultural centers, neighborhood and national festivals too numerous to list.

Oba's primary goals in creating and presenting storytelling programs for all ages are to inspire, unite, educate, and entertain. He is an award winning, writer and performer seeking opportunities to engage and inspire your audiences. Work samples and letters of reference are available via obawilliamking.com

Work Sample

Introducing OBA-TALES • 2:10 - RECORDED 2017 - MARKETING VIDEO • This video is designed to give an overview of my work as a traditional folk artists, there are a few samples within the descriptive video, recorded with voice over - sharing introduction depicting the various age groups to whom I present.

Time To Play - My specialty is engaging the audience, all ages-through a communication style known as call and response. I’ve incorporated original sing/song music, counting in rhythm, and encourage “collective work” around the home or classroom. And sharing a lesson about responsibility. The audience participants were 3rd and 4th grade students, my 8th grade Grand Daughter - created the video via iPhone and edited it via our iMac home computer. Created 2020

Sample Performance for Family Reading Night. I was featured storyteller at a Kennedy center performance demonstrating the art of storytelling, featuring an original story designed for Tweens and Teens - The story leads to an original song “Pull “Em Up” making a difficult subject interactive, creating an opportunity for continued conversation between youth and adults. (Seniors - really like this style of story, as we incorporate the African drum).

I submitted 3 work samples. #1 is a promotion reel, professionally narrated to introduce potential clients (Principals, Media Center Directors, Librarians, and Parents to my quality of work in the traditional folk arts and provide an overview of offerings. #2 is a live presentation sample from a summer time assembly at a community center for youth. It represents approximately 1/3 of the programming style and audiences that i am invited to perform form. #3 is a clip from The Kennedy center Family night event, demonstrating my style of original material presented for a diverse audience of children and parents. Once again approximately 1/3 of my bookings are in national venues or recognized state facilities.

History

Oba William King: I began presenting school assembly and library programs as a local actor in Chicago's Community Theaters. As a new artist, I applied for and won a Master / Apprentice Arts Council grant to study the art of storytelling with native Illinois Artist Oscar Brown Jr. With the opportunity to train with a true master of the arts and a cultural icon I began to use learned techniques to produce and present interactive storytelling performances, booking programs across Illinois and Midwest through my listing in the Arts Tour Roster. I joined the National Storytelling Circuit and was invited to perform at the International Storytelling Center in Jonesborough, Tn. Through support from IAC - I was recruited by The Sun Foundation in Peoria, Il and for 12 years I have been a featured Teaching Artist for Arts and Science in the Woods, and The Clean Water Celebration. The contacts and connections developed through these engagements have allowed me to visit small towns, locals schools, and public libraries throughout the state of Illinois since 1996. Traditional Folk Artist, Interactive Storyteller, Teaching Artist, and Master Cultural Arts presenter. I offer programs for all ages, incorporating original poetry, stories, music, spoken word, and story songs.

Artistic Vision

To Inspire and Unite. As a teaching artist and performer, I am keenly aware of the importance of gaining the listeners' attention. In the moments of presentation, we have a unique opportunity to uplift, encourage, and use our creativity to share positive energy. Through Storytelling, Poetry, Spoken Word, and the rhythm of the drum I try to focus on the needs of the students, sharing stories of historic accomplishments, teaching through tidbits of wit and wisdom, shining a light on kindness and empathy to motivate participants and listeners to become their best selves.

Programs for Specific Audience(s) Expertise

Interactive performances, introducing/utilizing call and response - over the years i have developed programming that engages the audience, especially to capture the attention of the young listeners, teaching educational skills through entertaining activities, approximately 20 years of experience as a touring/teaching artist. My video sample #1 I included a segment of storytelling activity with an audience of seasoned adults- i am blessed to be able to reach older listeners with programs I call “Spinning a Yarn” which stimulates the listeners to opine with their own favorite stories and memories. As an Illinois Arts Council Traditional Folk Arts Fellowship recipient i take exceptional care to fine tune my presentations to fit the program theme, age and diversity of the gathered audience

Traditional Folk/Ethnic Artform Statement

I am a Storyteller. Recipient of Illinois Traditional Folk Arts award. My artform is directly related to my culture and heritage. The storyteller is known as the Griot, responsible for keeping and sharing historic events, lessons, and growth of our community. To be known as a Jeli (from a family line of storytellers) is a very high honor, I was born in Greenville, South Carolina and raised with my African American Family. My early teachings included lessons from the Geechee care-givers who nurtured my early childhood. I began my path as a professional storyteller and touring artist, I studied with the elders in my community learning techniques from Brooks, Dr. Burroughs, Phil Cohran, Okoro Johnson, and in-depth training with Oscar Brown jr ; initiated through the Illinois Arts Council Master Apprentice Grant. I visited the elders in the villages of Benin, West Africa. And, honored to carry the mantle of “Oba” recognized as a village leader. I am now at the age many of my elders were when I sat at their knee to learn the craftsmanship of the art-form, many are ancestors now, and I’ve become an elder in my community. My role’s to light the path for younger storytellers.