Debra Olson-Tolar, Storyteller
Debra Olson-Tolar is an accomplished storyteller who has delighted audiences from kindergartners to senior citizens. Her world folktales and personal stories are empowering, educational, and entertaining. Whether telling stories of strong women and girls or tales of wisdom and wonder, her enthusiastic style sweeps listeners into another time and place. According to one reporter, "This talented lady has certainly perfected the art of storytelling. She had us all on the edge of our seats waiting for her words."
Debra has told stories in schools, libraries, churches, coffee houses, and bookstores. She has shared her tales at festivals, conferences, retreats, dinners, and meetings. In addition to telling in California, she has traveled to Colorado, Illinois, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, and Texas to tell stories and present storytelling workshops. Highlights include the Los Angeles Storytelling Festival, The Texas Storytelling Festival, and the J. Paul Getty Museum. Her storytelling CD is titled "The Stars in the Sky" and is available from Debra or from CDBaby.com/tolar
Also an accomplished actress, Debra starred as Amanda Wingfield in a production of Tennessee Williams' The Glass Menagerie. According to one review, ". . . nobody can steal the limelight away from Tolar. . . . She effortlessly evokes the time and place (1940s St. Louis) with the simplest of gestures." She is currently filming an independent feature film, Halfway.
Debra's background includes a B.A. degree in Acting, an M.A. in Communication (both from the University of Northern Colorado) and a Ph.D. (from the University of Denver) in Speech Communication. She is currently a Professor of Communication Arts at Antelope Valley College in Lancaster, CA, where she teaches "The Art of Storytelling" and "Studies in Storytelling." She also conducts workshops for teachers on using storytelling in the classroom, teaches intensive weekend workshops for other storytellers, and conducts individual and small group coaching sessions for those who want feedback on their storytelling skills. Debra is a member of the National Storytelling Network, and presented a workshop at their national conferences in July 2004 and July 2006.
EXPERIENCE
Storytelling Highlights include:
Los Angeles World Storytelling Festival
J. Paul Getty Museum
Children's Museum of La Habra
Texas Storytelling Festival
Summer Solstice Traditional Music, Dance and Storytelling Festival
Central Louisiana Storyteller’s Guild Coaching Workshop
City of San Fernando Tree Lighting Ceremony
College of the Canyons International Women’s Symposium
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church Women's Retreat
Numerous schools