Award-winning storyteller Gladys Coggswell will bring her tales to Trenton during a performance on Tuesday, Sept. 17, sponsored by the Grundy County Friends of the Arts.
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Award-winning storyteller Gladys Coggswell will bring her tales to Trenton during a performance on Tuesday, Sept. 17, sponsored by the Grundy County Friends of the Arts.
The 7 p.m. show will feature songs and stories of her own creation as well as stories from Africa, China, England, Russia and Missouri and even tales from her own childhood. The founder of the ?By Word of Mouth Storytelling Guild,? Ms. Cogswell has held the title of Missouri Master Folk Artist four times in the area of storytelling and is listed in the Missouri Touring Roster booklet. She has also been the subject of several PBS specials and was interviewed in 1994 by CSPAN.
It is not uncommon for program coordinators to hire Ms. Coggswell to research and develop stories about specific towns and themes or characters.
?In the process, I have learned much about the history of the United States and about people from all walks of life who have contributed to our growth,? she said.
There have been numerous joys that have highlighted her career – among them, telling in China and at the National Storytelling Festival?s exchange place where she received a standing ovation from over 2,000 fellow storytellers and appreciative story listeners.
?However, nothing can compare to the unconditional love of stories by the little ones who let you know they want to hear more,? Dr. Cogswell said. ?They want to hug, they ask ?When are you coming back?? and they let me know that I am doing the right thing. I love telling to children of all ages.?
In addition to her program at the Hoover Community Theater, Ms. Cogswell will also spend the day at the Rissler Elementary School, where she will present programs tailored for young children. She will be with kindergarten students at 9:30 a.m., first and second graders at 10:30 a.m. and end the school day with the third and fourth graders at 1:15 p.m.
Admission to the evening performance is $5 at the door or free to Grundy County Friends of the Arts season ticketholders and students from North Central Missouri College who show proper identification.
This program is partially funded by a grant from the Heartland Arts Fund with the National Endowment for the Arts and the Missouri Arts Council.