Rona Leventhal has been sharing her passion for the power of story for over three decades, putting laughter in the belly and smiles in the hearts of listeners. Rona has a reputation as an exuberant, engaging and down-to-earth performer, bringing a cornucopia of voices and characters to folktales, original tales and personal stories. One person said of Rona's style, “Throughout the story I felt like I was watching a fully staged play with scenery and a cast.”
ADULT PERFORMANCES: Rona’s Adult shows are dynamic, evocative and funny.....sometimes all at the same time! She has performed at venues ranging from conferences and festivals to libraries, schools, camps and social events both nationally and internationally. Rona’s one-woman show, “The Prince of Pirates and The Witch of Wellfleet", is about Puritan New England. It is a tour de force, as she plays 15+ characters.
FAMILY AND SCHOOL SHOWS: Rona will have you tapping your feet, swaying in your seats, making funny noises, singing and laughing as she shares tales for the serious to the silly, from the mysterious to the monstrous! Teen Programs provide more sophisticated and nuanced stories…without sacrificing some humor! Rona calls storytelling "Living Literacy" (c) and “the original literacy” and “theatre of the imagination”. It gives kids the opportunity to have a positive and fun experience with language and learning, leading to increased motivation. It is also an antidote to today's fast-paced and pre-fabricated images on the screen.
WORKSHOPS (SCHOOLS, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, PUBLIC) & SCHOOL RESIDENCIES: Rona is also sought after for her warm, enthusiastic spirit and supportive nature, making even first-time participants feel comfortable taking risks. Her workshops for both kids and adults are largely movement-based, very participatory…and fun! School Residencies provide more in-depth work that meet curricula needs and tap the “Imagination Muscle” (c). Teacher Workshops provide skills that are immediately applicable. Workshops for the public also available.
KEYNOTE ADDRESSES: Bring Rona to your conference!! Engaging, often participatory she will energize and inspire the participants. Areas of interest include education and literacy, organizational leadership, applied storytelling for lawyers as well as other disciplines.
APPLIED STORYTELLING: Rona works with organizations, using her skills in improvisation, storytelling and team building to help them to work better, communicate more effectively and accomplish more in a positive atmosphere.
COACHING: Rona is available for individual and small group coaching in storytelling, public speaking and communicating your message to your audience in many forms.
CREDITS: Rona is a certified Teacher and a Specialist in Improvisational Theatre and Movement. She is an approved Teaching Artist and Performing Artist with the Massachusetts and NY Cultural Councils, the New England Foundation For the Arts, The CT Storytelling Center and United Arts North Carolina.
Rona’s CD “Into the Dark: Stories From the Shadows (Creepy Stories for Adults and Fearless Teens)” won the Gold award from Storytelling World. Coeditor: Spinning tales, Weaving Hope: Stories of Peace, Justice and the Environment”, Storytelling World Honors award; Co-Author, “Ten Reasons To Use Storytelling in The Classroom”.
