– Stories That Connect Us-
Artist Statement
Once upon a time I was an actress in Jerusalem with a side job telling stories. One day I witnessed a troubled, aggressive girl transform into a graceful princess as she acted the story. It was the first time this child participated without breaking chairs. That powerful moment inspired me to become a professional storyteller. I love teaching through story and drama and continue to marvel at storytelling’s power to motivate learning and transform lives.
Artist Bio
Israeli-born Noa Baum is an award winning author and storyteller. She uses mesmerizing voices, impeccable timing, and warm authenticity to captivate audiences of all ages and confront important topics, such as bullying and intolerance. Noa shares stories from diverse cultures and her own rich Jewish heritage to highlight our similarities and celebrate our differences. Trained in theater and education at New York University, she is a winner of the 2017 Anne Izard Storyteller’s Choice Award, a Storytelling World Award, a Parents Choice Recommended award and numerous awards from the Maryland State Arts Council and the Montgomery County Arts Council.
Program Description
Noa uses the matchless magic of storytelling to confront bullying and intolerance. She offers inspiring assemblies with stories from diverse cultures that highlight our similarities, celebrate our differences and encourage curiosity, understanding, and acceptance. Her workshops are custom designed, interactive and fun. Students explore the power of speaking and listening with dynamic activities and creative dramatics.
Sample assemblies/family performances:
• Timeless Treasures – Lessons from World Cultures
• Pharaoh’s Secrets: Myths and Mysteries of Ancient Egypt
• Undaunted – tales of adventure and courage
• A taste of Eden – stories from the Jewish tradition
• Peace in My Fingers – Tales of Peace from around the world
Sample workshops/residencies:
• The Storytelling Express: Become a Storyteller
• From Lips to Page: The Writing Connection
• Tell and Play: Storytelling and Creative Dramatics
• Listen to This: Discovering Our Stories
Meet the Author: How the Birds Became Friends (for families and children ages 3-8)
Meet the Author (grades K-12) workshop
Noa introduces her picture book, How Friendship Began Among the Birds, invites students to share their stories of friendship and kindness, and explore the connections between story telling and story writing.
Workshops/residencies for adults and teens:
• Bridges for Peace
• Story Lifelines: Connection and Community
• Hidden Treasures: Your Story as a Gift
Quotes
Thank you. You’ve inspired me to go out and do my thing no matter what.
– Irene Ndege, 10th grade, Wakefield High School, VA
Noa Baum is fantastic! She brings her stories alive so that this petite woman actually resembles a lion, a turtle – actually any character she takes on, when performing -without costume! I cannot say enough about Noa – the teachers, staff and most importantly the students were captivated by her storytelling.
– Pamela Shewmaker, Oakland Terrace E.S. PTA, Silver Spring MD
Noa was receptive, helpful, flexible and creative in determining the format. She had the audience captivated with her first words, and remained so with each story she told.
– Ruth Robbins, Program Coordinator, The Smithsonian Associates, Washington DC