Sandy Schuman

I engage audiences by involving them in the story and providing them with mental images they can identify with. Many of my stories will evoke laughter, others will bring tears, some bring both. I aim to entertain, educate, and inspire.

My Father was a storyteller. It was his everyday way of communicating important values and ideas. I followed his example, but didn't realize it until several years ago.

After leading a three-day training program at the Pentagon, I read the attendees’ evaluation forms. In response to the question, What did you like best about the program? several people responded, “Sandy's stories.” I didn't understand what they were talking about, so I asked my co-trainer. He replied, “Remember you told that story about the meeting in the Adirondacks, and one about the volunteer board of directors, and another about …” I realized then that I had told a lot of stories. And that's how I found out I was a storyteller.

Since then I've told stories more consciously and formally. In public performances I tell personal adventures, historical sagas, tall tales, stories about songs and the people who wrote them, and stories in the Jewish storytelling tradition. Take a look at what I have to offer, get in touch, and invite me to tell you a story – or help you tell yours.

As a storyteller and musician, my technical needs are simple. For small audiences, amplification may not be necessary. For larger audiences: good quality microphones and amplification for both voice and guitar. For festivals and outdoor performances, there should not be distracting sounds from concurrent events or activities. Some of my shows (e.g., American Anthems, Erie Canal) use slides, requiring a computer projector and screen.