Linking her musical and theatrical work with the traditions of storytelling, her performances inspire audiences of all ages. Karen incorporates physical animation, characters, and stories and songs, both old and new to create an enlivening experience. Accompanying herself on the autoharp, she creates an interactive experience for audiences with her unique collection of traditional and original works. Karen’s performances, workshops, and classes for storytelling groups, schools, libraries, story slams, festivals, and more offer “edutainment” through the art of Storytelling.

Karen has been a Performing Artist since childhood, and has been involved in a variety of performance roles. In 1996, Karen discovered the world of storytelling, and has been mesmerized, enchanted and engaged in the art form ever since.

Education & Workshop Training

  • Centre for Playback Theatre, NY, NY
  • National Storytelling Conference attendee
  • Northlands Storytelling Network workshop attendee
  • OOPS – Storytelling Conference, OH
  • LANES – Sharing the Fire Conference, CT
  • Playback in the Academy Conference, Ontario, Canada
  • Lamb’s Retreat for Songwriters, MI
  • Paint Creek Folklore Society workshop attendee, MI
  • Detroit Storytelling League Annual Storytelling Festival workshop attendee, MI
  • “Doorway to the Imagination” workshop attendee, an Odds Bodkin Storytelling Workshop, MI
  • The Annual Storytelling Festival workshop attendee at The Ark in Ann Arbor, MI
  • Improvisational and Stand-Up Comedy workshop graduate from The Comedy Castle, Royal Oak, MI
  • Western Michigan University – BA with an emphasis in Theatre, Writing/Journalism and Public Relations

Past & Current Professional Memberships

  • National Storytelling Network
  • Northlands Storytelling Network
  • North Oakland County Storytellers
  • Six Figures Playback Theatre Company
  • Paint Creek Folklore Society
  • Parent Tellers – Chatterton School District
  • Detroit Storytelling League

 

Just some of Karen’s Past Performance & Workshop Appearances

Karen has presented over 3,500 performances and workshops throughout Michigan and the US with libraries, schools, communities, parks and recreation programs, country clubs, scouting, neighborhood associations, and private events. A partial list of her past public performance locations are listed below.

Public schools & libraries are far too numerous to list here. For more information please contact Karen directly.
  • RED Thread Stories
  • Michigan Public Radio
  • Edsel & Eleanor Ford House
  • Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan
  • Detroit Story League
  • National Storytelling Network
  • Homeschool Associations
  • Detroit Institute of Arts, MI
  • Jackson Michigan Storyfest, MI
  • Bright Horizons Childcare Center, MI
  • Campus Martius Park, MI
  • Various Childtime locations throughout Metro Detroit, MI
  • Farmington Hills Cultural Arts Division, MI
  • Hillsdale Community Theatre, MI
  • Walled Lake Schools – Community Education Dept., MI
  • Novi Community Schools – Community Education Dept., MI
  • Brighton Area Schools – Community Education Dept., MI
  • Ypsilanti Public Schools – Community Educations Dept., MI
  • SHARE Homeschooling Group, MI
  • The Annual Michigan Storytelling Festival, Flint, MI
  • Frogtown Storytelling Guild, OH
  • WATCH Homeschooling Group, MI
  • The City of Beverly Hills, MI
  • FAITH Homeschooling Group, MI
  • Fairlane Town Center, MI
  • Storytellers Guild – Birmingham, MI
  • Jackson County (MI) Department on Aging, MI
  • Galaxy Credit Union Solutions, MI
  • University of Michigan Dearborn – Child Development Center, MI
  • North Oakland County Storytellers, MI
  • Paint Creek Folklore Society, MI
  • Wabeek Country Club, MI
  • Gazelle’s House of Handmade, MI
  • The Village of Caro, MI
  • Waltonwoods Senior Center, MI
  • Generations Together Children and Seniors Center, MI
  • Northlands Storytelling Network, WI
  • OOPS Storytelling Festival, OH
  • LANES Sharing the Fire, CT
  • Kalkaska Senior Center, MI
  • Camp Dearborn, MI
  • The Winds Neighborhood Condo Association, MI
  • Annie’s Children’s Centers throughout MI
  • Wayne Metro Community Action Agency, MI
  • Barrington Green Neighborhood Association, MI
  • Canterbury Commons Neighborhood Association, MI
  • Kiddie Junction, MI
  • Precious Cargo Childcare, MI
  • Good Beginnings Children’s Learning Center, MI
  • Numerous Montessori schools throughout Metro Detroit, MI
  • University Prep Academy, MI
  • Congregation Shaarey Zedek, MI
  • 100’s of private and corporate events, MI
  • ABC Grow & Learn, MI
  • Pokagon Band of Potawatomi, MI
  • National Medical Association
  • Muslim Community Center, MI
  • Genesee Parks, MI
  • Springwells Park Association, MI
  • Farmington Founders Festival, MI
  • Success Builders Network, MI
  • 100’s of libraries, public and private schools throughout Michigan
Karen is endorsed by the Michigan Arts & Humanities Council as an adjudicated member of the MHC Artist Touring Directory. Karen’s MHC profile can be viewed by clicking on Karen Bonnici, page 51 under Table of Contents, Storyteller at the following link http://www.michiganhumanities.org/documents/touring/2015-18_MHC_Touring_Directory.pdf

To apply for grant support for your nonprofit event and for detailed information on the MHC program visit http://michiganhumanities.org/programs/touring/