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Welcome!

Who I am (also useful as publicity information if you hire me for a gig):

Kim Sheahan Sanford has been a central Illinois educator since 1991, incorporating oral traditions into her multicultural programs at the Spurlock Museum of World Cultures, from which she retired in 2023. She added freelance storytelling to her performances about 2001 and has performed folktales and one-woman shows at storytelling festivals, school assemblies, city-wide celebrations, personal parties, and gatherings of all kinds ever since. Her enthusiasm is both unmistakable and contagious. Let her share the joy and power of the tale with you.

Storytelling Live Series

 

To continue reaching the Spurlock Museum's audiences during the COVID pandemic, I began, on April 3, 2020, to offer live concerts on the Museum's Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/SpurlockMuseum). I ended the series in August of 2022, but each of the sessions is in the Facebook archives under "videos."  Need to sit and relax for about 30 minutes or find something new the kids will have fun watching? Pick a session and enjoy.

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Just a Few Fond Memories through the Years

Young Authors Conference

It is such an honor when I am asked to tell at the Illinois Young Authors Conference in Bloomington. I have told there multiple years now and am always thrilled when I am asked to return. I love meeting the student authors and the adult authors and parents who inspired them. My favorite part is hearing the titles some of the kids give their stories. One of my favorites is "Sensei Potato!"


Honoring Civil War Nurses at "The Taste of C-U"

This picture is from the debut of my first performance as a fictional historical character. As Abigail Westinghouse, I talked about my experiences as a Civil War nurse and related the exploits of Mary Ann "Mother" Bickerdyke, a true-life Civil War nurse from Galesburg, Illinois. Though I thought I was going to pass out performing in the summer heat in my petticoats and crinoline, I had a wonderful time and hope to put together more performances like these for the future.

Quest for Freedom: 1850s/1950s

I was so pleased to share the stage with Camille Born for the program Quest for Freedom: 1850's/1950s. Camille started with A Rocking Chair and a Trunk, a story that chronicles the experiences of a family whose house served as a station on the Underground Railroad. I finished the concert premiering my newest historical program A Place to Live. In the program I portray civil rights activist Anne Braden, who, with her husband Carl, purchased a house in a white Louisville, Kentucky neighborhood for an African-American family in 1954. Their story is so important, and I was thrilled to be able to bring it to a new audience.

My First Northlands Storytelling Conference

The Northlands Storytelling Network counted some of the country's most beloved and influential storytellers among its members. I was chosen to tell at its spring conference a few times and had the privilege to serve on its board, but my first telling in front of these wonderful listeners was truly unforgettable. I told one of my favorite stories, "The Tiger's Whisker." Thank you to everyone for their kind words of support afterward. Special thanks to Karen Wollscheid, the former Northlands executive director, for allowing me to share her review:

 

"Your wonderful voice and delivery style lets the story be the star, not the person telling it. In my opinion that makes the best kind of storyteller. I hope to hear your stories again very soon!"

Selected Public Performances

  • Northlands Storytelling Conference
  • National Storytelling Conference
  • Illinois Young Authors Conference*
  • Illinois State Fair Kid's Korner*
  • Taste of Champaign-Urbana*
  • Big Grove Storytelling Festival*
  • Bluestem Storytelling Festival
  • Chinquapin Folk Music & Storytelling Festival
  • New Salem Storytelling Festival
  • Verde Gallery Spoken Word Series*
  • The Teller's Art Series*
  • Allerton Park Ghost Story Concerts*
  • University of Illinois Chatauqua
  • Parkland College Staerkel Planetarium*

*designates multi-year appearances

What People Say About Kim's Performances

"Again, you blew me away. Your wonderful voice and delivery style lets the story be the star, not the person telling it. In my opinion that makes the best kind of storyteller. I hope to hear your stories again very soon!" Karen Wollscheid • Northlands Storytelling Network

"I thought your story and delivery were compelling. What a powerful story."

Reaction to A Place to Live • Kath Brinkmann

“Kim is a terrific storyteller, and she held the audience captive for the entire presentation.” Ava Wolf • Scout leader

“The stories were great! Our students and families loved them!”

Carol Jones • Marquette Early Childhood School

“Excellent! Wouldn’t change anything!”

Nick Dalrymple • Unity East Elementary School

“Kim was very enthusiastic and vivacious!”

Ray Arseneau • Mahomet-Seymour Jr. High School

Photo credits for this site:

Randy Sanford, Paul Idleman, Camille Born, Marissa Garza, and JUPITER IMAGES.

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