Spoken Word/Storytelling
Stories tell us of what we already knew and forgot, and remind us of what we haven't yet imagined.- Ann Watson
Rachael Harrington will delight your group as she spins stories that captivate, thrill, entertain, and enlighten. Laughs are big and imagination even bigger as you listen to and participate in the stories she tells.
Rachael has told to a variety of audiences in many settings for the young and young at heart. She has a growing repertoire of stories that she is ready to tell, but would also love to find stories that are just right for you.
Rachael is a member of the National Storytelling Network.
Book Rachael for your next event or class!
Performance Events, Fundraisers, Workshops and Classes, Schools, Meetings, Birthday Parties, Private and Group Instruction
Highlights Include:
Summer 2008
Teller: Mother's Day Service
Lamb's Church, NYC
Workshop Leader: Brooklyn Arts Council
Used storytelling and the visual arts to lead a workshop series designed to encourage young children and youth to gain confidence and express their ideas. Project Sample: The Tortoise and the Hare= learning about controlling the speed at which you draw.
Fall 2008:
Presenter: New Jersey Association of School Librarians
Led an interactive workshop designed to equip School Librarians to partner with their Art Teachers and create engaging lessons that combine the visual arts and storytelling.
Summer 2009
Teller: Neighborhood Anti-Violence Awarness Day
Lower East Side, NYC
Teller: Uptown Community Church Kids Club Vacation Bible School
J. Hood Wright Park, NYC
Fall 2009
Teller: Halloween Stories
Avenel Middle School, NJ
Teller: Stories of Hope
a) Ebenezer Academy, SC
b) As a fundraiser for Gifted Hands, NYC
Teller: Tree Planting
Winter 2010
Teller/Teacher: Essubi Eppya Primary School
New Hope Uganda
Spring 2010
Teller: World Folk and Fairytale Day Celebration
Avenel Middle School
Teller: Operation Exodus Story Writing Contest
Operation Exodus Inner City, NYC
Summer 2010
Teller: Riverdale Riverfest
Teller: City of Water Festival
Govenor's Island, NYC
Teller/Program Director: Kid's Day in the Parks
Northern Manhattan
"It made me fell like a kid again" -Nick 8th grade
"She was so awesome"- Sarah 7th grade
"She was so funny".- Willie, 8th grade
"You were hilarious and so entertaining! Thanks for making them great."- Program Coordinator Operation Exodus
"It made me feel like a little kid again,"
Nick, 8th grade
"She was so funny and awesome."
Sarah, 7th grade
"You were hilarious and so entertaining! Thanks for making them great."
Ashley, Program Coordinator, Operation Exodus
Books
Illustrator
Guided Research in the Middle School: Mystery in the Media Center
Linworth Publishing, Inc., 2007
How We Saved Organica
By Chelsey Donn and Ryan Neller
Author/Illustrator
Fibiona S. Tallsdale: A True Story
Is Fibiona S. Tallsdale, ace reporter, up to the task of writing what really happened at Easterly Elementary?
In Production: Age Range, Upper Elementary
The Wonderful, Curious Story of Zinnia Alice Thornton
Zinnia, with the help of some friends, is about to find out just how important her story is.
In Production: Age Range, Pre and Early Teen Girls
- Performer/Puppeteer in "Women of Troy" at LaMaMa E.T.C, NYC
- 24 Hour Film Project, Redeemer Arts
- Halloween tales at Avenel Middle School, Woodbridge, NJ
- "Stories of Hope" , 'The Lounge' at Ebeneezer Academy, Rockhill SC
- Story time at a tree planting event, NYC
- "Stories of Hope" in partnership with Gifted Hands, NYC
Winter 2009/2010
- Christmas Stories at Uptown Community Church, NYC
- Christmas Stories at 5th Avenue Presbyterian Church, NYC
- Stories on New Year's Eve, Private Party, NYC
- Traveled to New Hope Uganda to serve the children there through stories, art, and good old fashioned manual labor!
- Stories at Avenel Middle School in celebration of World Folk and Fairytale Day, Woodbridge, NJ
- Teller of winning story in the Operation Exodus story contest
- Private Party
- Performing in "The Guerilla Dance Project" May 13th at 3 pm in Washington Square Park
- Teller of winning story in Operation Exodus story contest
- Performing in "The Hip Festival" Monday, May 17th 8pm and The Wings Theater
- Teller at Avenel Middle School- School Assembly Program
- Teller at Riverfest in Riverdale, NYC
- Teller/Program Director, Summer Program: Bennet Park, Fort Tryon Park, Inwood Hill Park NYC. In conjunction with Uptown Community Church
- Performance collaboration with flutist Emily Schneck
- Performing in "The Strawberry One-Act Festival"
- Teller at City of Water Festival on Governor's Island, NYC
Fall 2010
- Featured Storyteller, Turnstyle Theatre Company, New York City
- Teller, Books with Beat Celebration: Millburn High School
Rachael's artistic life began when her mother pinned sheets up in a corner of the family's apartment, creating a little studio where she spent many hours scribbling away with crayons and markers.
Years later, armed with pencil and paintbrush and headed off to art school, Rachael's father told her "It ain't art unless there's a story". That advice stuck and has driven her work through the years.
Rachael graduted from Pratt Institute with her Art Education Degree in 2007, and has since worked as an educator, storyteller, published illustrator, and actress in the world of theater and film.
As a storyteller she has told stories for the young and old in the Tri-state area, South Carolina, and Uganda. She has led storytelling workshops for students and has presented at the New Jersey Association of School Libraries conference. Rachael loves the excitement of discovering the connections between stories and all areas of life and learning, especially the visual arts.
Most recently, Rachael has accepted the challenge from her husband to begin writing and illustrating her stories.
