Karen Rae Kraut: Storyteller

Karen Rae Kraut: She earned a degree in Drama from the University of Southern California and graduated from the Stella Adler Theatre Studio in New York City.

Karen fell in love with storytelling in 1990 and has been telling professionally ever since. She specializes in folktales from around the world which spotlight the heroism and humor of ordinary people. Her programs include riddles, songs and poems accompanied by various folk instruments. She has performed story concerts in elementary and secondary schools, libraries, clubs, churches, universities, museums and senior centers from California to East Tennessee.

Description of programs:

I Wanna Be a Dog: A variety show of stories, songs, riddles and poems that chronicle the antics and adventures of our four-legged friends. Music, songs, lots of audience participation, bi-lingual.

The Prairie Flowers: Songs and Stories of the Wild, Wild West. Traditional cowboy songs, authentic cowboy lore, music and storytelling for the bi-lingual, rip-roarin’ true adventure of young Elfego Baca, set in 1884 New Mexico.

Magic Flute: A storyteller's version of Mozart's last opera, The Magic Flute, based on folklore and fictional sources popular in Mozart's time. The music sparkles with charm, humor and folk song influences, which make it as hummable as a Broadway musical.

Little Heroes: A unique mix of music, movement, story and song to a re-telling of "The Giant Who Had No Heart," a Norwegian folktale with a twist. Zany humor, puppets and lots of audience participation are the order of the day in this 45-minute show for audiences pre-school through adult.

Vaudeville Mystery Theatre: This old-time variety show is interactive fun with music, dance, and theatre. It also provides children with the opportunity to learn about Vaudeville, the most popular entertainment in America in the days before television, radio and the movies!