Storytellers

DONALD DAVIS

Known as the “Dean of Storytelling,” Donald Davis weaves tales that are heartfelt, humorous, and deeply rooted in Appalachian tradition. His stories-often drawn from his own childhood in the mountains of North Carolina-transport listeners into a world where laughter and nostalgia go hand in hand.

Donald Davis is a National Storytelling Festival favorite and a celebrated author. Davis gift for spinning everyday moments into unforgettable experiences makes him a must-see at this year’s festival.

Antonio Rocha

Antonio Rocha (pronounced haw-sha), originally from Brazil, began his career in the performing arts in 1985. In 1988 he received a Partners of the Americas grant to come to the USA to perform and deepen his mime skills with Mime Master Tony Montanaro. Mr. Rocha’s unique and award winning solo fusion of mime and storytelling with mesmerizing voices and sound effects has been performed from Singapore to South Africa and many places in between, including 20 countries on 6 continents as well as in 44 US states.

Bil Lepp

Bil Lepp is a nationally touring storyteller, humorist, and comedian, earning the appreciation of listeners from all walks of life. Though he is a five-time champion of the West Virginia Liars Contest, his work often contains pieces of truth, presenting universal themes in clever ways. Lepp has created over 20 audio collections, is an award-winning children’s author, and is a contributing columnist for West Virginia’s biggest newspaper. Lepp is a recipient of the NSN ORACLE Circle of Excellence award, the Parents’ Choice Gold Award, the PEN/Steven Kroll award, and the Vandalia Award, West Virginia’s highest folk honor.

Paul Strickland

Paul has well over 7 hours of unique family friendly stories in his repertoire, including reupholstered folk tales, fairytales for adults and future adults, tall-tales and even historical stories that just happened to have never happened.

Always adapting to whatever audience is in front of him, Paul LOVES telling stories in every imaginable environment, from comedy clubs to middle schools.

Collections of his stories have won “Best of Fest” honors more than 18 times at Fringe Theatre Festivals in the US and Canada. Selections from his comedy performance “Levels of Difficulty” are still played nearly every day on SiriusXM radio.

JOSH GOFORTH

From his Appalachian Mountain accent to his incredible talents on pretty much all the instruments, Josh Goforth is one of those storytellers you really need to hear in order to believe. With stories filled with the most original characters alive (he swears they all exist) and songs that will have you clapping and singing along, you can’t help being enchanted and transported to his boyhood upbringing in the Appalachian Mountains.

ADAM BOOTH

Adam Booth has created a repertoire of traditional Appalachian stories including wonder tales, fairy tales, ballads, tall tales, ghost and witch lore and stories that explain our existence. Because Adam is a champion liar, having been named Champion of the West Virginia’s Liar Club Contest four times. He is often asked if his stories are true. “Yes,” he answers. “These stories have plenty of true sections as well as truth, but most have tall sections.” In 2022 he was named the West Virginia Folk Artist of the year. His style is both humorous and touching.

MO REYNOLDS

Mo Reynolds lives in Rexburg, Idaho. She had a dream about storytelling. She woke up and knew she wanted to try it. She is noted mostly for pairing a personal story with a folk or fairy tale, deciding the genres were not mutually exclusive. By doing this,”I can see my own story couched in something more ancient and universal, … braiding them together helps me see my own stories in a different light.” By braiding these stories together, she can expand her “vision into something the whole world has walked with.”

MARY HAMILTON

Mary Hamilton is a gifted storyteller whose performances resonate with audiences on a deeply emotional level. With a storytelling style that blends humor, poignancy, and deep cultural connection, Mary’s tales transport listeners to the heart of human experience. Right here from Kentucky, and a featured teller at the biggest festivals across the country, Mary brings personal stories and rich folklore to life, making each performance an intimate and unforgettable experience.

Sheila Arnold

Sheila Arnold has a talent for storytelling, a passion for history, and compassion for people. She storytells and dresses as historic characters, provides christian monologues, and has done professional development for schools, festivals, churches, and organizations nationally and internationally. She is co-founder and Artistic Director of Artists Standing Strong Together (ASST) a source of inspiration, strength and action in the storytelling and artists’ world. In the past she has worked as a Drama Ministry Director; Colonial Williamsburg employee; Substitute Teacher; and Social Worker for aggressive teens with emotional problems. She lives in Hampton, Virginia.

2026 Featured Tellers