Engaging storytelling for all ages.
I work throughout the Tri-State area performing for parties, corporate events, bonfires, libraries--anywhere people gather to enjoy a good story.
Hailing from Sleepy Hollow country, I specialize in Halloween tales as well as ghost stories and the macabre. I have a 25-minute version of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow as well as other one-man shows. Hudson Valley Magazine called me "One of the Hudson Valley's Coolest Storytellers."
I also create and host original murder mystery parties for groups of up to 50. My parties have everyone involved, everyone is a suspect, anyone could be the killer. These parties are best for ages 12 and up.
David joined us to tell stories to a group of fourteen adults around our fire pit. His stories were wonderful and the high level of physicality he added to the performance made us feel like we were in the theatre. It was magic and everyone loved it.
From a business point of view, he was also a pleasure to deal with. Organized, confirmed everything and arrived early as promised. Can recommend highly.
I had a Halloween party at my apartment in NYC for eight friends, and booked David to come and tell us scary stories. We were all immensely impressed with him. He has an instinctive sense of his audience, of tone, and of pacing. He adds so much texture to the stories through finely observed details that really bring the scenes to life in one's mind. There was also this marvellous thing where you'd be listening to David talk about something, anything, and then suddenly, seamlessly, you'd find yourself in a story and you'd barely noticed when it had even started. We all really enjoyed listening to him and I'd highly recommend David if you want to plan a very special event.
They really enjoyed his stories. David is very animated and holds their attention...
Very engaging. Had a big party and he kept the kids who didnt want to run around like crazy entertained.
David came to tell spooky stories at our daughter's Halloween party this weekend. He was professional and kept a middle school age group at the edge of their seats! He was a hit!
From the beginning, David had the audience in the palm of his hands. His renditions of family-friendly ghost stories were made even more eerie by the flickering light of the bonfire. A master performer, David’s characters were further brought to life through a seemingly limitless number of voices and sound effects reminiscent of an old time radio show. David is wonderful and we can't wait to have another event to invite him back.
You won't be disappointed with David Neilsen Storytelling!!!!!
We first saw David perform at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in March. On this rather misty macabre evening David performed a masterful rendition of HP Lovecraft's The Call of Cthulhu. We were held still by the spell of his performance our minds captivated by a highly energetic and creative story teller brought us on his eldritch trip.
We have also seen David perform stories of his own spooky devising at Washington Irving's Sunnyside and were equally awe inspired by this rich tapestry of tales.
From being a brilliant master of story telling to writing David is a gifted story teller with his pen as well. Myth Ink Books is publishing his story Lovely Island as a chapbook and his tale Leaking in a forthcoming anthology of urban horror Dark Tales from Elder Regions New York. From live performances to printed page David Neilsen is a force to be reckoned with and not to miss.
It's difficult to memorize even one of Kipling's "Just-So-Stories" so it was mind-boggling to spend an evening with David Neilsen who has four (4!) of the stories under his belt.
He told with great energy and obvious delight in Kipling's wordplay. Great fun for all in attendance.
David performed the Call of Cthulhu for our group on a gorgeous day, in a small shady spot in Croton Point Park. The group ranged in age from 13 to 50, and David had everyone's attention from the minute he began the story, and held it effortlessly until the rousing applause at the very end. His storytelling is engaging and fun, and he is an absolute professional. We plan on having David perform again toward the end of the summer, and you would be remiss not to have him at your next gathering.
Sleepy Hollow Cemetery has booked David Neilsen for multiple storytelling events as part of our public programming. Ticket sales are always brisk - he has built a solid reputation as a talented performer. David is a perfectionist, honing and tweaking each show for maximum enjoyment. Audience feedback has been great. We look forward to continuing our partnership with David in the future.
Price Range: Contact for rates
Gig Length: 30 - 90 minutes
My shows are professional, punctual, and enthralling. Audiences will laugh, shiver, and otherwise be fully immersed within the world I've crafted for them.
I am a classically-trained actor with a BFA from U.C. Santa Barbara. I have been involved in theater all my life, and and that experience has allowed me to create true performances whether I'm reading picture books to pre-schoolers, delivering a series of ghost stories to teenagers, or performing The Legend of Sleepy Hollow for the New York School Board Association.
I love a challenge, and will frequently work with a vendor to create a unique program perfectly tailored to their desires, such as when I put together a Halloween program for Sleepy Hollow Cemetery centered around graveyards or when I did the same for the NY Botanical Garden centered around stories of the dark side of nature.
In addition to my half-hour performance of Washington Irving's Legend of Sleepy Hollow, I have also mastered an hour-long performance of H.P. Lovecraft's The Call of Cthulhu.
Lest you think I only do dark, horrific work, I have put together a program featuring Rudyard Kipling's Just So Stories for the Chappequa Children's Library, and am working with the Historical Society of Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow to create a show depicting the Capture of Major Andre during the Revolutionary War- an event which unmasked the treason of Benedict Arnold and shifted the course of the war.
Whether your audience is made up pre-teens or CEO, bring me in and we'll create a unique event they will remember for years to come.
| October 12, 2019 • 8:00pm - 8:45pm | House Party |
| October 27, 2017 • 6:30pm - 8:30pm | Holiday Party (Halloween) |
| September 07, 2017 • 5:00pm - 6:30pm | Campus Event |
| June 19, 2017 • 5:00pm - 6:30pm | Corporate Event |
| October 30, 2016 • 8:00pm - 8:45pm | Dinner Party |
| October 26, 2016 • 6:30pm - 7:15pm | School Assembly |
| October 01, 2016 • 5:00pm - 7:00pm | Holiday Party (Halloween) |
| November 15, 2015 | Birthday (Child) |
| October 30, 2015 | Holiday Party (Halloween) |
| July 25, 2015 | Nonprofit Event |
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