Welcome!
Kim
Sheahan has been a central Illinois educator since 1991, incorporating
oral traditions into her multicultural programs at the University of
Illinois' Spurlock Museum. She added freelance storytelling about ten years later and has performed 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 at your next
special event.
What's Been Happening
- Saturday, June 20 and Sunday, June 21, 2009 • Taste of C-U
This year's Taste of C-U had a performance stage dedicated to Abraham Lincoln and his time. There were performances by Camille Born and myself, the musical group the Prairie Dust Devils, and Lincoln impersonator Glenn Braun. It was 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.
- September 19, 2009 • National Night Out
The City of Champaign held its National Night Out event in West Side Park. I was asked to tell stories that would touch on the subject of safety. I have always said that there was a folktale to go with any topic a person could think up, and I was able to find two that made the point of safety to children.
Upcoming Performances
February 20, 2010 • 7:30 PM
Quest for Freedom: 1850s/1950s
Faith United Methodist Church
1719 S. Prospect, Champaign
$5 cover
This event features two performances in honor of Black History Month:
"A Rocking Chair and a Trunk" is a story of the Underground Railroad by Camille Born.
"A Place to Live" is a story of civil rights by Kim Sheahan.
April, 2010 (Specific Date to be Announced) • 6-8 PM
Women...Really
Performances by Kim Sheahan and Camille Born
La Gourmandise
119 W. Main, Urbana
$5 cover
May 18, 2010 • 6-8 PM
The Twelve Labors of Hercules
Performances by Kim Sheahan
La Gourmandise
119 W. Main, Urbana
$5 cover
Previous Public Performances
- National Storytelling Conference (Chicago)
- 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
“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.
