Patti creates a magical program for all ages, enjoying the enthusiasm of rollicking fun stories and songs with plenty of participation. From fun to serious, inspirational to instructional, Patti brings a her heart and her whole self to sharing stories.Costumes, wigs, surprising props, and actors from the audience leave everyone asking for "One more story . . . please!"
She brings a rich background of 17 years working with children as well as extensive presenting experience with adults.
She works in many different venues including festivals, bookstores, museums, libraries, Juvenile Hall, religious groups, scouting groups, senior centers, as well as other school and social service settings. Patti also is a favorite at birthday and holiday parties and keynote speaker at conferences and celebrations.
She is a popular workshop leader and creative drama teacher with offerings that include:
* The Art of Storytelling
* Let’s Act It Out: Bring Stories to Life
* Those Were the Days: Tellings Stories to
Your Children or Grandchildren
Patti is a member of the National Storytelling Network, Healing Story Alliance, Storytelling in Organizations Group, and South Coast Storytellers Guild.
Patti also performs with James Nelson-Lucas as the Patchwork Players. Are they storytellers? Are they actors? Yes! It’s STORY THEATRE, combining the best of storytelling, improvisational theatre, and audience participation.
Praises for Patti:
"Her talent as a storyteller was definitely evident by the rapt attention and interaction from the kids. It isn’t always easy to get such complete participation with a teen audience and she did it. It was magical! "
Cynthia Smerud, Director SIMS School
"One of the wonderful surprises of my 90th Birthday Party was the story that Storyteller Patti Christensen told about events in my life. In a creative way, she wove so many important events of the years into a humorous story that was the hit of the party. She was able beautifully to tie the present and the past together."
Rev. Robert Weaver
"As Patti Christensen moves to the center of the classroom, the kids cheer and smile. They remember her from previous visits in the last school year and are visibly excited by her presence in their classrooms again. I, too, was carried away in this happy energy when I participated in her drama sessions with my English Learners. We were suddenly drawn into the wonderfully imaginative and engaging world where language and the arts merge. As my students learned how to mime and portray the characters and scenes from the book we were reading, I saw the book start to come alive for them. No amount of experience or preparation can compare to the magic of making learning fun. Patti is not only a gifted performer, she is a skilled educator able to impassion and energize even the most hesitant and challenged of students. "
Christine Piontek, Bilingual Teacher
"This is the first time I’ve seen Patti and I have to say that she is very, very animated. I really enjoyed her use of props. Her enthusiasm really captured the kids tonight."
Alysa Palmer
"Patti Christensen has to be one of the most energetic, fun storytellers I’ve had the pleasure to listen to! Patti immerses herself in the story, providing an experience for all her listeners, young and old alike. "
Linda King Pruitt, Storyteller
"Mrs. Christensen is the best drama teacher in the whole wide world and her stories are very good and her things are great and her ideas are good."
Thomas, first grader
"A very positive experience-making components of language arts come alive even for my shy students! I noticed 2 of my terribly shy students smiling-quietly participating behind their hands. Students were highly engaged. All answers were accepted and sincerely appreciated. Our story sessions and discussions carried over to other stories as well. Patti was exceptionally engaging. My students
eagerly looked forward to her lessons."
Martie Goodbody, Teacher, Glen View Elementary School, Escondido CA
"I learned we are never too old to enjoy hearing a story, and especially enjoyed the part about putting a new up-to-date spin on fairy tales, such as the little Red Riding Hood story! We had a great workshop with you!"
Ann Guenther, Senior and Clown
