"My mother was born in Southern Louisiana and my relatives are Cajun and Creole French. I am able to share my fascination with the unique culture of this region through my storytelling."
Bio:
A fascination with her Cajun and Creole relatives of Southern Louisiana led Dianna Waite to begin collecting stories of the region. Through her storytelling she brings to life the culture of this unique region of our country. Audiences will come away from these programs with an understanding of how the Cajun people came to immigrate to this country, an appreciation for the historical contributions that the Cajuns have made and a feel for the details that make the Cajun people unique. Dianna has put her background in theater and speech to good use crafting personal stories, children’s stories, tall tales, legends, history and myth to paint a picture of the bayou region of southern Louisiana. In addition to her Cajun stories Dianna has developed programs around summer library themes using traditional folktales. She has a program featuring personal stories from her family in Louisiana and Kansas and a set of stories featuring strong women.
Dianna has told stories for The Salina Arts and Humanities Arts Infusion Program in U.S.D. 305, The Kansas African American Museum, Lakewood Discovery Center, The Salina Senior Center, various school districts throughout the state, Girl Scout events, church groups, and with the Salina Storytellers Guild at The Smoky Hill River Festival, as a regional teller at The Kansas Storytelling Festival and the Kansas City Storytelling Celebration and has been a featured teller at The Franklin County Literary Festival. .
What people have said about Dianna’s programs:
"Come to the Senior Center anytime! We love having you."
-Crystal Brunner Salina Senior Center
"I heard nothing but absolutely raving reviews about you. The students loved you and your stories. The teachers did, too, and they enjoyed how you got the students involved and how well you interacted with them. Absolutely fabulous! "
-Kim Herrell Library Media Specialist Chinn Elementary School
"Dianna’s storytelling mesmerized my Fifth graders! She involved the students in the story and encouraged them to tell their own-which they did readily after her enthusiastic presentation."
-Barb Morissette 5th Grade teacher.
"That was cool. I liked the one where the animals were eating each other, gulp gulp, gulp. "
-Jericha- 3rd grade student Oakdale Elementary School
"That was so cool!"
-James 4th grade student Oakdale Elementary School
"Your program was the perfect treat to end our banquet."
-Michelle- Ottawa County Soil Conservation Office
Storytelling Programs
Folk tales
Strong Women
AcaDianna Tales
Personal stories
