Jeff's Picks II Ramayana - Now Streaming Through June 30th

This show was produced in conjunction with the Federation of Asian Storytellers (FEAST) and showcases Feast Fest performers. World traveler and award-winning storyteller Jeff Gere has taken The Ramayana as told by several different tellers and blended it all in an hour-long story. The Ramayana is an ancient Sanskrit epic which follows Prince Rama's quest to rescue his beloved wife Sita from the clutches of Ravana with the help of an army of monkeys. Originating in India, it is a beloved cultural touchstone throughout Asia.

During covid, FEAST hosted a mammoth virtual concert where fourteen female Indian storytellers told sections of this epic saga. We now present 9 of these storytellers in a colorful, dynamic, poetic rendering with song, music & dance (and talking hands!) all in one hour. Jeff is the animated navigator guiding the audience and bridging the gaps; commenting on each segment as he moves the narrative to the next teller. You'll never find a more delightful way to hear the Ramayana than this!

Jeff's Picks II made it's debut on March 30th and is now streaming on YouTube. The ticketing link allows for viewing anytime through June 30th. There are several ticket levels and your generosity will help support FEAST and its efforts to create more opportunities for tellers to perform, internationally and inter-culturally, by organizing festivals, performances, and teller exchanges and collaborations. Tickets range from $10.00 to $25.00 (or more if you're feeling generous!).

There is also link for the recorded Zoom Afterparty with Jeff & Roger and several of the storytellers.

To encourage your support of these wonderful storytellers, we are offering the Generous Globe Trotter $25 ticket which includes a free ticket to a Six Feet Apart upcoming show of your choosing.($15 value).

Your Ramayana Guide:

Jeff Gere was born on Halloween and performs constantly. He produced/hosted/ told in the Talk Story Festival, Hawaii’s biggest storytelling celebration (26 years), Story TV (23 years monthly), Talk Story Radio (2 years weekly, Hawaii Public Radio), story camps & conferences. He’s performed at the National Storytelling Festival (2010, Residency 2013) and Spain, Hong Kong, Turkey, Vancouver & the Yukon before retiring from Oahu Parks Department to end 2014. In 2015 Jeff began international tours (Thailand, China, India, Japan, Australia, Taiwan, Java, Romania & Kenya.) See tons of him on YouTube. www.jeffgere.com

Roger Jenkins is a Singaporean storyteller, who discovered storytelling almost 25 years ago after a career as a drama teacher/theatre practitioner. He founded Singapore's 398.2 Storytelling Festival (2015-present) and is a co-founding director of FEAST. He is also a supporter of access in the arts: he is an audio-describer making live theatre accessible for vision-impaired audiences, and his main tandem-telling partner is hearing-impaired.

The Tellers

Ramya Srinidhi

Performance storyteller, actor, and educator with a vibrant theatrical storytelling style. A seasoned voice-over artist and puppeteer, dedicated to the art of storytelling after a successful 15-year corporate career in HR. Holds a master’s degree in Psychology.

Sarita Nair

Sarita Nair is the founder of Heritage Stories & Performing Arts (HSPA) an initiative to celebrate and share heritage & history through stories & performing arts. Itihaas ke pannon se, a live storytelling avenue on the HSPA Fb page is her tribute to India’s freedom fighters, where she shares stories of unsung heroes who sacrificed their lives to gain India her freedom.

Vinita Dhondiyal Bhatnagar is Professor of Humanities as well as a storyteller immersed in the magic of Ram Katha. She is interested in researching Indian storytelling traditions as well as the folk stories of her native Garhwal.

Debjani Bhaduri

Debjani loves retelling folktales, mythological accounts and authored classics lacing them with contemporary thread and adding humour and theatricality through her physical and vocal characterisation. She is a popular Storytelling trainer who has helped 2500 teachers to use it as a strategy in their classrooms.

Ambujavalli -an IT professional turned storyteller - trainer and public speaker -- strongly believes that good stories spread healthy happiness.Known for her performance elements that she weaves into her stories, audiences love her energy, humour and spontaneity.

Meera Venkatesan is a performance storyteller, and learning consultant who is propelled by her belief in the power of stories in inspiring learning and growth towards a better tomorrow.

Meher Gehi is a nuanced and versatile performance storyteller, story trainer and voice artist. Her repertoire encompasses traditional, folk, original fiction, personal, mythological and literary tales. She loves to infuse her storytelling with music, theatrics and spirituality.

Lavanya Srinivas is a Teacher, Trainer and Expressive Arts Therapist. As a performance storyteller, she loves to weave personal narratives to preserve and promote folk artforms and oral storytelling traditions and to celebrate the multi-cultural and multilingual heritage of India.

Ayushi Agrawal is a Storyteller, Intermodal Expressive Arts Practitioner and Applied Theatre Facilitator. She enjoys the creative world stories open up for her and uses music, movement, craft and art in her telling.