The animated expressions of these students only hint at their skills in dramatic performance as members of the A.P. Gianinni Storytelling Troupe. From 1991-1995 I was proud to be the mentor and coach for seventh and eighth students who, suited up in our team T-shirts, would travel by foot or street car to bring the oral tradition to elementary schools students in San Francisco. Hard work, self displine and the ability to support one another made mastering this ancient art form into a joyful literature based community service project.

Collage design by Maia Piccagli
Student photographs by Olive