Reviews of Norah Dooley performance & presentation 2012
Reviews of Norah Dooley performance & presentation 2012
Comments from presenters:
“After your presentation to children in third, fourth and fifth grades, we had one child [I would describe as a ‘reluctant writer’] who asked his teacher, “Could we do some writing when we get back to the classroom?”… not , “When is recess?”, or “Can we have our snack now?”. You really struck a chord with so many. The teachers were thrilled to hear you say things they constantly say to children to encourage them to write. Your manner of presentation was captivating, convincing and encouraging… for children and adults. F. Haven Starr - Henry Bernard School, Providence RI OCT 2009
“This is the first time I’ve ever seen Norah Dooley. It was a great pleasure to be in the presence of such an assured and experienced artist, and also someone so creative, warm and deft in her interpersonal skills. She began with a short introduction of herself and her interest in storytelling, to her own children, and in the neighborliness of her own Central Square neighborhood, with people out on porches, etc. as in “Everyone Cooks Rice.” Norma Elias, Young Audiences of MA professional evaluation
“The school is still full of your wonderful storytelling. Your work and this is no "flarching" as my English Grandmother would say, is stellar. You are without doubt the best storyteller that I have ever heard and I've heard a lot. Thank you so much for coming to Gordon. We very much hope that you will come back soon. I was in Kindergarten yesterday and reading a description of noodle making and eating along with a thank you to Norah Dooley for sparking the whole thing. Fifth grade have your book draft as a writing model and they are engaged in their own endeavors.” Frances Martindale, Gordon School, Providence RI
“Wow! I am just starting to come down from the Spoken Word high! We had our finale on Friday (which was fabulous) and the teachers shared some stories - we learned so much from you and it was so evident at the finale! We just cannot thank you enough! “ Meagan Lenihan @ Lincoln School Providence RI FEB 2007
“I am writing because I want to thank you for your inspiration and encouragement. Each time I tell a story, I think of you fondly, and I wanted to thank you for showing me the magic that is created when a story is told from the heart instead of just read from the page. It has become a useful tool in my teaching repertoire, and one my children heartily enjoy.” Christine Corbiere 1st grade Teacher, Odenton MD
“Norah’s presentation to the Mass Bay District UU ministers and religious educators today was somewhere beyond superlative. I've been preaching, teaching,(and preaching & teaching) the value of stories, for 35 years now. And in that entire time I've never encountered someone who could do what you did: both demonstrate and teach memorable story-telling technique simultaneously. Brava!” John Buehrens First Parish in Needham, MA
“Norah Dooley puts all of her heart and soul into her craft, whether it be storytelling, writing, writing in collaboration with students, teaching or directing. She uses her charisma to excite her audience/students and draw them into her circle of warmth. This often allows kids to take new risks with their emerging abilities. She has great follow through- once committed to a project, she gives it everything, and always keeps her eye on making it a quality experience for her collaborators.”
Louise Doud, English and Reading teacher at Eagle Hill School, Hardwicke MA
N
Outgoing, optimistic
Resolute
Ambitious
Hardworking
A negative of yours is that sometimes when you talk about social issues, I feel inadequate if I don’t have as much passion/suspicion/vitriol about the issue as you do. You may be in the right, but sometimes it feels that you expect everyone both to be on your wavelength and to change their ways immediately. Some of us like to lie in bed on cold mornings an extra 5 minutes; you yank the blankets off.
Old Testament Prophet,Conviction,Committed. ... you push/put yourself into challenging situations and that you want all of your work, no matter how entertaining, to also say something about how people can live better lives. Your message comes through both in form and content. Form, because by your example as a storyteller you model an activity that is participatory, non-materialistic and traditional. Content, because the kinds of stories you tell encourage ethnic pride (Italian, etc.), mention forgotten heroes (like the female pirate), or praise little people (your stories about the neighborhood.) -- Joel Reisman