PORT ANGELES — Jill Johnson, winner of Storytelling World’s 2014 competition, is the featured teller in Tuesday night’s Story Swap at the Port Angeles Library, 2210 S. Peabody St.
In the free swap at 7 p.m., Johnson will offer a small slice of her award-winning one-woman show, “Rebecca — the story of Rebecca Ebey,” and then share folk tales from countries where she’s worked and lived.
Johnson’s storytelling career began 17 years ago when she moved to Jonesborough, Tenn., the setting for the National Storytelling Festival every fall.
“For five years, I sat at the feet of the best in the business . . . listening and learning,” she said. “What an incredible opportunity that was.”
In her stories, Johnson also uses her life experience as a teacher and trainer.
“I’ve taught everything from creative dramatics for 6- and 7-year-olds to adult ESL,” or English as a second language, she said.
As a trainer, she worked for the Peace Corps, Save the Children and the U.N. Development Program on three continents.
Johnson has since returned to the Pacific Northwest to live on Whidbey Island, where she explores maritime and pioneer history through the lives of women such as Rebecca Ebey and Berte Olson.
After Johnson’s set Tuesday night, refreshments will flow, and at 8 p.m., the mic will open up for audience members to tell stories.
These monthly swaps, hosted by the Story People of Clallam County, wrap up around 9 p.m.
To find out more about this and future swaps, phone 360-452-8092 or visit www.ClallamStoryPeople.org.
