Storytelling

Your storytelling was wonderful and so engaging. – Winston Wuttenee, Cree Storyteller

Fantastic! You had us all spellbound.
– Abbey Lane Theatre, Armagh, Northern Ireland

Andrew captured the dark pain of the selkie in a way I have never heard before … a remarkable storyteller. - Jackie Kerin, Port Fairy Folk Festival

Andrew McKenna is winner of the Pat Glover Memorial Storytelling competition, Port Fairy Folk Festival 2006 and 2012.

Andrew McKenna has been a storyteller for more than 20 years. In 1984 he was a founding member of the innovative theatre company Whistling in the Theatre, performing and touring productions to Adelaide and Melbourne.

He has written shows that were performed at the Organ Factory, the Adelaide Fringe Festival and ANThill (Australian Nouveau Theatre) in South Melbourne.

It was brilliant having you over for this year’s festival, I really enjoyed your stories, masks and tunes … thanks again for travelling over to the festival.
– Waterford Imagine Festival 2007

In 2007 and 2009 he toured and performed in Ireland, performing at the prestigious Baboro International Children’s Festival in Galway, Waterford’s Imagine Festival, the Sonas Louisburgh Children’s Arts Festival and Limerick’s Lough Gur Storytelling Festival, as well as libraries and schools around the country.

We enjoyed such a treat at school today with international storyteller and performer, Andrew McKenna. His workshops and sessions were hugely enjoyable.
– Talbot House Preparatory School, Bournemouth, UK

Andrew has also toured Sadako and the 1000 Cranes to secondary schools with U25 Theatre Company, and with Company Wander Light he has taken a season of schools’ shows to Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane, Sydney and many places in between.

Storytelling programs

The performance was dynamic, well paced … and was utterly engaging … the physical dimension brought to the telling was superb. – Heywood Consolidated School

As a performance storyteller he performs at festivals, halls, libraries, fairs, after-school and holiday programs, pre-schools and schools in Victoria and NSW.

The feedback on your storytelling session has been fantastic. Thank you.
– Upper Murray Family Care

He has worked extensively with directors and studied with renowned US storyteller Nancy Mellon and Ashley Ramsden, a top storyteller from the UK.

Performing at Castlemaine Theatre Royal, Road to Recovery Bushfire Benefit Concert, February 2009

Andrew is a trained secondary teacher, and has run seminars on the value of stories and storytelling for children. He performs for adults and children. He won the prestigious Port Fairy Storytelling prize in 2006 and 2012.

With classes from St Vincents Primary School, Cork, at the Children's Book Festival, October 2009

With roadies at Lough Gur, Co Limerick, October 2007

The children’s session was imaginative and versatile … the best recommendation came from a four-year-old whose father doubted he would last five minutes and stayed the whole time. Children don’t hesitate to let you know when they are bored!
– Ex Libris Book Fair, Port Fairy

…the adults enjoyed it as much as the children, who were delighted throughout the show. The participation was innovative and fun, as were the stories themselves.
– Nunawading Library

Thanks again for your participation in the Poppykettle Festival – it was great to have you on board and we had terrific feedback on your workshops.
– Una McAlinden, Geelong Poppykettle Festival

‘I enjoyed the Calvino stories … the gusto, vitality, bravado, spirit, passion that you brought to them, and admired the way you could also offer a certain restraint that allowed the ironic humor to prevail … each story’s ending was nicely allowed to hang in the air, and your transitional “stage business” worked well to bridge the stories. Your show was a wonderful treat, and memorable.’

– Daylesford Words in Winter Festival

Just to say thanks for everything on Monday and Tuesday here in South Dublin. The Storytelling sessions went down really well with the children! The best of luck with the rest of your Irish tour, and please let us know when you are visiting Ireland again!

Your sessions received great reviews from teachers, children and staff so everyone’s happy! I hope your son enjoyed his visit to Dublin too. Best wishes and hope we can work together again in the future.
Patricia Fitzgerald
Senior Development Librarian
South Dublin County Libraries, October 2009

It was great to have you to Cavan & the feedback was very positive. Keep in touch
Kind Regards
Fiona Burke
Cavan County Libraries, October 2009 

Thanks for your help and entertainment and to say how much the kids loved you!
Lough Gur Storytelling Festival 2009

Dear Andrew

Thanks you for the wonderful stories and adventures we enjoyed with you today.
We really felt part of the stories and it was easy to follow and understand you. My favourite was raven and the whale. The music made the stories come alive for us. Thank you again for the fun library visit.
Third class, Butlersbridge National School
Butlersbridge
Co Cavan
Ireland
October 2009

Buy Andrew McKenna Tells Tales CD