|
A native Mainer of French-Canadian descent, Michael has performed as a storyteller and
singer, in both English and French, throughout the United States, and
beyond, since 1977. He has been featured at many events, including the
National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, Tennessee, and
international events in France, England, Ireland, Poland, and New
Zealand. In addition to his performances for a
wide range of audiences, including schools, libraries, theaters, and
festivals, Michael also leads storytelling, story writing, and performance
workshops.
Michael's French-Canadian heritage is rich with songs and stories.
Growing up in Lewiston, Maine, he was surrounded by family that spoke both
French and English. Though he majored in English and minored in Education
in college, Michael continued to speak French. After seven years as a
teacher, Michael embarked on a new career as a storyteller, singer, writer
and workshop leader. Oral history interviews of family and friends,
combined with journeys to Quebec and France, bolstered Michael's
re-affirmation of his "French connection." He created an award winning
audio-tape, "Sundays at Grandma's," and a one-man show, "Grandpa's
Birthday," based on stories collected from family and other members of the
Franco-American community. He has co-authored, along with Julien Olivier,
"Of Kings and Fools," a book which includes translated and retold stories
from the Franco-American tradition (August House Publishers).
Michael's original stories, many of which are rooted in that tradition,
have been included in various anthologies, most recently in a collection
titled "Heroes and Villains in American Literature" (Amsco Publications).
His bilingual CD, "Chantons, Let's Sing," in collaboration with Greg
Boardman, released in 2000, includes many songs from the Franco-American
culture, sung in an alternating French-English pattern. Michael, along
with fellow writer-actors Susan Poulin and Gordon Carlisle, premiered
their original play, "A Frog Stuck in the Ice -- A Franco-American Story,"
(sponsored by L.A. Arts of Lewiston, Maine) in January of 2001.
One of Michael's recent projects, performing bilingual assemblies and
conducting small-group workshops for students of French, have taken him to
numerous Maine schools in recent years. These school visits are part of
his effort to keep French language and music alive in Maine and beyond,
and of spreading an appreciation of Franco-American culture.
In his work with children in schools, whether it be in assembly
presentations, workshops for French students, or his basic storytelling
and communication workshops, Michael brings an ability to combine
creativity with practical, useful information. His unique gift is in
creating a supportive atmosphere where children dare to try new things,
are encouraged to learn from inevitable mistakes, and feel affirmed by
taking whatever steps they are emboldened to take.
Michael is currently performing three one-man shows,
including
“One More Thing,” which addresses aging, grief and loss, class
consciousness, generational conflict, the connection between work and
self-worth, and Franco-American culture and identity.
Michael returned to Maine in 1998 after living in Virginia for many years, where he was a co-founder of,
and frequent performer at, a thriving alternative theater in
Charlottesville called Live Arts. He now lives in Portland.
He received the National Storytelling Network's
"Circle of Excellence" Award in 1999, and was a keynote speaker at the
2001 National Storytelling Conference in Providence, R.I.
Link here
to some of Michael's past performances
MICHAEL PARENT
BIO --
Short version (119
words)
Michael Parent, a native
Mainer of French-Canadian descent, has performed stories and songs in
English and French since 1977. He is currently performing three original
one-man shows: "One More Thing," "A Beautiful Game"
and "The Goofy Show."
From New England to New Zealand, he has been featured at many events including hundreds of schools and
libraries, the National Storytelling Festival, and several international
festivals.
Michael also leads
storytelling, story writing, and performance workshops. He
received a
National Storytelling Network Circle
of Excellence Award in 1999, and was a keynote speaker at the 2001
National Storytelling Conference. He has been called "the storyteller
of the underdog."
Website:
www.michaelparentstorytelling.com
MICHAEL
PARENT BIO --
Even Shorter version (80 words)
Michael
Parent, a Franco-American Mainer, has performed as a storyteller-singer in
both English and French since 1977. He received a
National Storytelling Network Circle
of Excellence Award in 1999, and was a keynote speaker at the 2001
National Storytelling Conference, and at the 2005 Sharing the Fire
Conference. He has been featured at events throughout the
U.S., as well as in
Canada,
France,
Austria,
New Zealand,
Ireland,
England,
Poland,
Brazil, and
Costa Rica. Michael lives in
Portland,
Maine.
Website:
www.michaelparentstorytelling.com
MICHAEL PARENT BIO --
Shortest version (approx. 50 words)
Michael Parent has
performed at hundreds of schools, libraries, theaters and festivals in the
U.S.,
Europe, and beyond. He also leads
storytelling workshops, and is known for his teaching abilities and for
creating a supportive workshop environment.
He received a
National Storytelling Network Circle
of Excellence Award in 1999.
Website:
www.michaelparentstorytelling.com
|
