Playwright, actor, author, storyteller and cultural advocate, Kevin Kling is hailed as a Minnesota state treasure and we welcome him, once again, to our Wisconsin stage. Kevin’s stories take you from laughter to tears and back to laughter. He has performed at our festival six times and we can’t wait to hear him tell again.
Kevin’s work is infused with an innate sense of humor and reflects the life challenges he has surmounted, including a congenital birth disorder and partial paralysis from a near-fatal motorcycle accident. He has performed his stories and plays in libraries, school gymnasiums, The Kennedy Center, Off-Broadway, regional theaters, and storytelling festivals around the US. His international tours have included Australia, Europe, and Thailand. He has received many awards and fellowships including fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts, The McKnight Foundation, The Minnesota State Arts Board, and The Bush Foundation. Kevin is a frequent commentator for National Public Radio’s “All Things Considered” and now appears regularly on TPT’s “Almanac”. He was featured in the Regional Emmy Award winning PBS documentary “Kevin Kling: Lost and Found”. Kevin will perform Friday and Saturday night and conduct a workshop on Saturday.http://kevinkling.com
Lyn Ford
We welcome Lyn Ford to our stage for the first time and we are thrilled! A nationally recognized and award-winning fourth-generation storyteller, author and educator, Lyn Ford shares folktale adaptations, spooky tales, and original stories rooted in her family’s multicultural African-AmericanAppalachian (Affrilachian) heritage. Ford’s “Home-Fried Tales” are seasoned with rhythm, rhyme, audience interaction, humor, and heart. Lyn is a teaching artist with the Ohio Alliance for Arts Education, a workshop facilitator for the Ohio-based collaborative initiative of the Kennedy Center, and a Thurber House mentor for young authors. She is also an award-winning author and a two-time recipient of the NSN ORACLE Circle of Excellence award. She recently completed a residency at the International Storytelling Center. Lyn will perform on Friday and Saturday night and share her stories on the Children’s stage Saturday afternoon.http://storytellerlynnford.com
Michael Scott
A local favorite, Michael will be the emcee for our Saturday evening performance and entertain us with a story or two. Michael is known for his humorous personal tales, his Mark Twain performances, and his La Crosse Ghost walks. Michael was the founder and host of the Old School Variety Shows which highlighted La Crosse area talent, especially storytelling.
Eddie Allen
Eddie first appeared on our Sara Slayton Stage last year. And he was a huge success. Eddie, a Trempealeau native, is a musician who sings stories. Our audiences loved him and we knew right away that he fit perfectly with the festival. Eddie will entertain us at the Friday and Saturday night performances.
Arla and John Clemon’s Children’s Stage
We are so pleased musician Hans Mayer will be on the Arla and John Clemon’s stage in ’24! He will be joined by Lynn Ford for our free Saturday afternoon performances!
Hans Mayer
Hans Mayer is BACK! Hans Mayer is a singer/songwriter who has performed with numerous musical acts for both adult and family audiences. Hans brings fun, movement, and joy to our stage with his highly energetic songs. Bugs, worms, underwear, environmental awareness, and imagination – Hans uses these timeless childhood elements as the ingredients for his children’s songs. Hisaward-winning albums for families are hits with kids, parents, teachers and grandparents. Hans will get your feet stomping and your tummy laughing with his songs and music on the Children’s stage on Saturday. http://hansmayer.com
has performed his stories and plays in libraries, school gymnasiums, The Kennedy Center, Off-Broadway, regional theaters, and storytelling festivals around the US. His international tours have included Australia, Europe, and Thailand. He has received many awards and fellowships including fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts, The McKnight Foundation, The Minnesota State Arts Board, and The Bush Foundation. Kevin is a frequent commentator for National Public Radio’s “All Things Considered” and now appears regularly on TPT’s “Almanac”. He was featured in the Regional Emmy Award winning PBS documentary “Kevin Kling: Lost and Found”. Kevin will perform Friday and Saturday night and conduct a workshop on Saturday. http://kevinkling.com 
