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listed in Illinois Storytellers and Performers

Mama Edie Ama Adobea

Ph: (773) 768-6773
Mama Edie Ama AdobeaMamaEdie2@aol.com

Illinois
U.S.A.
tags: Storyteller | Storytelling | Bilingual | Spanish | Sign Language | Education | Language Development | Conference | Workshop | Teachers | Parents |
Mama Edie, the Storyteller: the singing, Signing, Spanish-Speaking, Storytelling, Percussion Playing Speech Pathologist

Come. Allow Mama Edie Ama Adobea to guide you through the power of the word, through silence and through sound, to places of limitless imaginings. Allow these stories and songs from African-rooted cultures of the world to remind you of the greatness embedded within your own; of the heritage of strength, dignity and self-determination that is your birthright; of the strength of spirit that helps us to create and to experience joy, even against all odds.

Allow these interactive one-woman performances to let the child within you come out and play, as you become part of the experience. Light-hearted stories for children and for the forever young, and those which guide the listener to places of somber reflection, leave audiences more aware, more empowered to be the gifts they are to the world, and better able to embrace the joy that awaits them.

Mama Edie credits her training as a storyteller and story listener to her parents and other family members. They were rich with ever-engaging stories (most of them real!) and with music from various cultures. They also nurtured within her a love of reading, of the creative use of language, and of the joys of expanding beyond herself, being raised with friends from around the world. She credits Dr. Annjennette McFarlin of Chula Vista, CA for coaching her in the selection and delivery of prose and poetry, while at Northern Illinois University in the early ‘70’s, in national inter-collegiate competition, taking first place each year in each event except her first. Dr. McFarlin also encouraged Mama Edie to become a speech and language pathologist. She worked most frequently with multiply challenged populations, both in schools and hospitals, and later, with pre-schoolers who were predominately Latino. This is where her reputation as a bilingual (Spanish/English) storyteller, who also used Sign Language with deaf clients, was born. She then only required the inspiration of storyteller and 30-year friend Shanta to encourage her professional beginnings and to open up the first doors. Since her start in 1989, she has reflected through her performances the various cultures of her heritage, while also adding interactive vocals and percussion. The doors have been opening ever since.

Venues have included:


Film Credit:

“Compensations”, the story of a deaf girl’s search for direction. An independent film produced and directed by Zeinabu Irene Davis

Publications:


Original stories and compositions include:


Performance and/or Workshop Themes Include:


Memberships:

So, embrace the opportunity to learn something new, to remember something once lost, to feel good about being who you are, to know joy, and be inspired to do great things!

What Others are Saying:

"...Mama Edie is Chicago's storyteller par excellence, charming listeners of all ages..."
- Jeanne Salis, Chicago Children's Museum

"...The overwhelming response from our neighborhood schools demanded that a second performance be given..."
- Carol Cannon, Woodson Regional Library

"...Edith has done an excellent job of interpreting the storytelling themes we have asked her to work with...Her programs have included songs, stories, interaction with children on stage, and a special multi-media event..."
- Susan Kuliak, The Art Institute of Chicago

"...at a meeting of the South Cook County Speech-Language-Hearing Assoc...(she) did a presentation on the use of storytelling with speech-language impaired children...The audience could have literally listened to her for hours...
"As part of a reading enrichment program at Palos West School...Mama Edie signed for the hearing-impaired children throughout her entire presenation. I cannot express enough what a wonderful job she did..."
- Denise Prohaska, Palos West School

"Thunderous applause! Bravo! And Encore! Thank you so much for the most entertaining and educational convocation I feel we here at North Central College have ever experienced! I have received several calls from other institutions and newspapers begging for your information..."
- Kelaine McLoud,
Coordinator, Student Activities
North Central College

"I'm surprised just how much I enjoyed Mama Edie! We should do more programming like that!"
- President, North Central College

"I had the opportunity to participate in a training workshop provided by Ms. Armstrong (Mama Edie) on August 16, 2000. It was the most enjoyable workshop I have ever attended...I have never seen people so engaged in an activity in my entire professional career...she is truly unique, creative and inspiring."
- Brenda Dobbins-Noel,
The Ounce of Prevention Fund,
CFSS Director

"The mission of our Kwanzaa Celebration is to educate, encourage, enrich, entertain, celebrate and share - a large order for one program. Thank you for making all aspects of our purpose so much a part of your presentation. The program was a stunning success."
- Andrew & Terri Lyke,
St. Lawrence O'Toole, African
American Task Force on Diversity

"All those who are fortunate enough to have contact with Mama Edie are touched by her warmth and enriched by her knowledge."
- Shanta, Storyteller