Visiting Storyteller, Martin Maudsley, Shares Tales of Wonder at TAS

Following a background in environmental education, Martin Maudsley found his calling as a professional storyteller in 2002. A native of Britain, he travels the world providing performances, tailored projects and creative workshops with a particular passion for stories that inspire and connect audiences with natural landscapes and local heritage. Martin also facilitates fun, interactive storytelling workshops for families and community groups. 

Through interactive storytelling filled with actions, sound effects, and songs, Martin captivated Lower School students, inspired them to contribute ideas, and reflect on our connection to nature. Using only his body, his voice, and a ukulele, he held his audiences spellbound as he encouraged them to join him in recurring gestures and key phrases at the story’s vital points. Building on this call and response format, the students became part of the story and its telling. His performances sparked imagination, fostered creativity, and deepened our students' appreciation for a good story. 

“Martin shared a wide variety of captivating stories,” said Lower School Librarian Brianna Pannell. “It was an immersive and inspiring experience for the Lower School students laced with music, humor and rhyme and so important for verbal and writing skills. As a foundation of human communication, storytelling activates our thinking, expands our language capacity, connects us with each other, and shows us a roadmap of our past,” she added. 

During a workshop for faculty, parents, and guardians, Martin set the stage with a quick tale of a man who followed his dreams of fortune in the big city only to find he had left a treasure in his own home. He then delved into a participatory exercise for the attendees. Drawing on his experience in storytelling training, he led pairs through a step-by-step process to create their own original stories, using images on book covers as a starting point. The adults learned to stretch their imaginations, play with their own creativity, and explore the process, skills and structure of storytelling. 

Martin Maudsley’s visit left a lasting impression on students, faculty, and parents alike, reigniting a love for storytelling and the power of imagination. Through his engaging performances and interactive workshops, he demonstrated how stories connect us to our environment, heritage, and each other. His ability to inspire creativity and foster meaningful connections through storytelling is a testament to the timeless magic of a well-told tale.