| TELLING YOUR OWN STORY |
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| Angelyn DeBord is an Appalachian-born and raised storyteller, actress, playwright and workshop leader. She is a 2003 recipient of a Rockefeller Humanities Fellowship. |
| Book now for workshops and Performances |
| Angelyn DeBord |
| "My, o, my the tales I've heard!" |
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| Available for your group! Workshops & Performances based on oral history Upclose & accessable, these exhilarating performances & workshops will give you ideas and tools for presenting your own & your groups' stories in a unique and vital manner. Any organization, any age! |
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| I am also a visual artist. These and more paintings are available for purchase. Just ask! |
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| My son... the college graduate! |
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| Climb on Up! is an acrylic painting that reflects the mystery and magic of the beautiful Virginia hills that surround my home. |
| Of her inspiration as a writer and performer, Angelyn says, "I didn't grow up hearing the television or even the radio. I grew up hearing the sounds of the high mountains behind my house. The trees whispering in the wind, and the marvelous music of the streams that cascade down through the Smokey Mountains. I heard the wild voices and easy laughter of my cousins as we romped and played "Let's pretend" games all over these mountains. I heard the voices of my mother, my granny and my great-great aunt Roxie as they worked in the garden, or picked blackberries, or bent over the quilting frames. The stories they told were full of humor and history. I was young and easily imprinted with the cadence and rhythm of these voices, these sounds. They were my music and remain the favorite music in my life today: the sound of human beings, quietly going about their day to day activities, with a light heart and a determined spirit." |
Among her playwright credits is critically acclaimed PRAISE HOUSE. Written for the Urban Bush Women of New York City, PRAISE HOUSE has toured all over America, was a featured play at the Spoletto Festival, was performed at Kennedy Center, and was produced for PBS. Of PRAISE HOUSE, critics say: "The complex dreams and desires of supposedly plain people come alive in this unusual story." Anna Kisselguff, THE NEW YORK TIMES "The text seems to float above the performers even as they speak. PRAISE HOUSE is a delicious mix of the sacred and the profane, of the mystical , and the commonsensical." Nancy Goldner, THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER |
STUBBORN MEMORIES Angelyn's original one woman show STUBBORN MEMORIES has, among many places, been presented at The Appalachian Women's Health Coalition, The University of Missouri, The Kentucky Women's Writers Workshop and The Iowa Summer Writing Workshop. Of STUBBORN MEMORIES critics say: "STUBBORN MEMORIES premiered at our Virginia Highlands Festival and will long be remembered. Never have I seen an audience that literally would not leave..." -Susan Lachmann, VIRGINIA HIGHLANDS FESTIVAL COMMITTEE "Angelyn represents our region and its creative roots with power and sensitivity. STUBBORN MEMORIES carries the voices of Appalachia through present time, all the while projecting the rich sources of creative language we find here. She has a rare talent and strength in bringing art to real people in a real way." -Pamela J. Guthrie, Dept. of English, Mayland Community College "Your performance had such an impact on me and has created territory which carries me. Thank you deeply." -Dr. Juliet Rodeman, Dept of English, University of Missouri |
| PERFORMANCES |
| Angie is a storyteller, actress, playwright and workshop leader raised in the Smokey Mountains of North Carolina. For the past 27 years, she has been working with groups of all ages. She is available for performances and workshops nationwide. |
| PLAYWRITING |
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| Born and raised in an isolated area of North Carolina, Angelyn DeBord lived in the midst of many generations of her extended family. And it is this family that she credits for the inspiration for all of her present work as a playwright, performing artist, visual artist and workshop leader. Speaking with a voice that reflects her deep roots in the Smoky Mountains of North Carolina, DeBord's work is full of poetry and visions. Trained as a visual artist, Angelyn is also often called a "drama artist." |
| "Simple games were the backbone of her childhood in the mountains of North Carolina; creative play that brought the ability for entertainment without relying on sophisticated toys and props. Sharing this creativity is the heart of DeBord's storytelling program." ...Karen Stamper, TROUBLESOME CREEK TIMES |
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| STORY SHARING WORKSHOPS For the past 27 years I have facilitated writing and performance workshops all across America. My workshops are a funfilled time. Each participant is guided in uncovering delightful personal stories. These stories are shared in small groups and then can be developed into a performance piece or shared in a writing form. This is a 'whole language' approach and a good time is had by all!! |
| In the workshops, the stories come from you and your family, from your community and from your imagination! |
| Workshops |
| Speaking directly to her audience, Angelyn creates an intimate performance atmosphere. Oftentimes the audience members are invited to become participants in the show. The pace for all performances is high-energy with moments for reflection. |
| These workshops are immediately available for booking. I work with all ages. Intergenerational workshops are a phenomenal community building experience! These workshops are easily shaped for any group, any age, any environment. |
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| Original artwork by Angelyn DeBord |
| So much important work to be done! |
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| She Who Mends the Broken Hearts -Sold- |
| Girl on a Red Tricycle |
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| PRAISE HOUSE |
| CONTACT INFORMATION: Angelyn DeBord Box 1293 Gate City, VA 24251 or online at [email protected] |
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| RATTLING THE BONES |
| RAISING THE RAFTERS |
| What do these turkeys say,? "Live is a Cinch when you're living on the CLINCH (mountain, that is!)" |
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