Noa Baum started telling stories in Israel where she was born and raised.  She came to the U.S. in 1990 and since then has inspired children and adults performing and teaching in schools, libraries, festivals and other venues.  She uses stories to illustrate peace and understanding between Middle Eastern cultures.  Baum says, “I believe that once you really get to know people and hear their story---they can no longer be your enemy.”

Willy Claflin was born before television.  The only child of shy, eccentric parents he grew up in the woods of New Hampshire.  He spent his childhood dreaming and impersonating wildlife.  His imagination stills serves him well as he shares stories and songs with audiences across the nation.  His sidekick puppet, Maynard the Moose, will surely join him on stage to delight listeners of all ages. 

Donald Davis returns to the Cave Run Storytelling Festival to the delight of listeners young and old.  This North Carolina native crafts stories of family and friends that appeal to listeners on a personal level.  Born into a family of traditional storytellers, Davis says, “I didn’t learn stories, I absorbed them.”  The elements of honesty and simplicity in his stories endear us to Davis as a teller and a humanitarian.

Dolores Hydock’s vivacious telling style fills the stage with a swirl of characters in her funny, affectionate stories about family, fireworks, parallel parking, true love, turnip greens and other everyday peculiarities.  This Alabama native tells stories that celebrate the quirks, confusions and joys of the human condition.

Rev. Robert B. Jones, a musician, storyteller, radio producer and music educator, returns to the festival by popular demand. Jones, a performer for over twenty years, developed an  interest in the blues at an early age and started performing at some of Detroit’s best music venues. He accompanies his singing with guitar, harmonica and storytelling.  He is the pastor of the Sweet Kingdom Missionary Baptist Church in Detroit.

Barbara McBride-Smith is a proud Texan who lives in Oklahoma.  Barbara makes the most of her Texas drawl as she milks every ounce of laughter from each line of the story. Her family stories relate foibles or poignant moments while her stories about Biblical characters and Greek myths provide fresh insight that won’t be forgotten. She has been referred to as a “comedian, historian, teacher and preacher all rolled into one”.

Ed Stivender hails from Philadelphia but has traveled the world as a storyteller.  He has been called “the Robin Williams of storytellers” and he has been characterized as “a Catholic Garrison Keilor”.  Combining skills as a banjo player and juggler with his experience as a Shakespearean actor, mummer and raconteur, Ed has entertained and enthralled audiences around the world.