Pam McGrath is an Oklahoma-based professional storyteller and coach as well as student of religion. She is currently the associate pastor at the Southern Hills Christian Church in Edmond, OK.
Her mission is to help people use story - whether biblical, literary,
or based on their own experiences - to grow into their biggest, most audacious selves.
"Pam has the voice quality and stage presence to hold the listener in the palm of her hands...a true craftsperson."
- Elk City Daily News
Humorous speeches.
Personal, Southern and biblical stories, folk tales, and history programs.
Festivals, schools, concerts.
New recording!
Pam's newest cassette (also on CD), Who Are You Calling an Evangelist?, takes on the question of affecting the values of others. She uses folktales, personal stories, and Jewish and Christian religious stories to make her point about action in the service of belief.
Pam's acclaimed video (also on cassette or CD) of Mary and Me, "an encounter with Mary of Magdala," was recorded live at North Decatur Presbyterian Church.
"Breathes the long-missing breath of a woman's passion and humor into the scanty biblical text. Pam establishes how to blend an ancient story with our own." - Elaine Bontempo, Somerville, MA
Pam's cassette of personal stories, Holding Your Breath, features her original tales: "A Southern glimpse into the wonder of the world...and the humor, hope, and heartbreak lying just below the surface."
Praise for Pam's audiotape from Barbara McBride-Smith. "I was trying to paint some woodwork in the bathroom while I listened,
and I just had to to stop painting so I could listen, laugh, and cry..."
"All told with a touch of humor and love and care about the people who populate her stories...a delightful and entertaining storyteller." - Carol Tallman, Atlanta Winter Storytelling Festival
Pam's keynote speeches and humorous talks have included:
"Give Me Back My Parts! How to Stay Whole When Your Job Requires Giving Pieces of Yourself Away."
"Southern in the New Millenium"
"I Am Looking For a Redneck Again"
"Some Assembly Required: A Parent's Guide to Getting Your Children to Church Without Unnecessary Violence."
Pam is active as a member of:
Network of Biblical Storytelling
National Storytelling Network
Pam has appeared for audiences of all ages at:
Festivals around the country
Schools
Churches
Network of Biblical Storytellers Convention
National Storytelling Conference
Pam has led workshops at:
Network of Biblical Storytellers (NOBS)
National Storytelling Conference (Kansas City, MO; San Diego, CA; Kingsport, TN; Denver, CO)
Her private, multi-day workshops have included:
Dancing with the Audience with Doug Lipman.
In a performance, the relationship of storyteller to audience requires a balance - between leading and following, self-confidence and care-taking. When that balance is achieved, the result is a relaxed, natural flow.
Finding the Sacred in Storieswith Doug Lipman.
This is a chance to discover what is sacred in the ordinary: in your self, your life, and your stories. You'll get a combination of 1) exercises designed to put you in touch with yourself, your sacred impulses for telling, and the beautiful natural environment and 2) coaching by two of the nation's most skilled coaches.
Living Your Artistic Visionwith Doug Lipman.
Give yourself - and your art - the opportunity to spend a whole weekend imagining your art as the focus of your life. And take home the skills to make your dream happen!
"Pam is brilliant, warm and wise. Her coaching brought out possibilities that surprised and excited me." - Chris Vinsonhaler, Ocean Springs, MS.
Pam offers occassional private classes in the Oklahoma City area - and workshops on her visits to the Atlanta area, where she lived until May, 2003.
Pam McGrath
http://www.PamMcGrath.com