Robert Rubinstein's Biography

Robert Rubinstein has performed at the New York Public Library; Boston Public Library, Northwest Folklife Festival in Seattle, schools in Atlanta, traveled with 41 storytellers from across the nation to China, and presented workshops at the National Storytelling Conference in Denver.

His recordings include his CD "Strange Tales from Biblical Times" with stories of the Ziz, the Giant Og, Jacob´s Pillow and Seth´s wrestling match with a demon. "The Rooster Who Would Be King and Other Healing Tales" received a Parents´ Choice Seal. He also recorded "Tales of Mystery/ Tales of Terror!"

Robert directed the nationally-known Troupe of Tellers from Roosevelt Middle School in Eugene, Oregon. During its 24 years, these troupes performed for some 70,000 Oregon students and at the 1993 National Storytelling Conference. He originated and still directs Eugene's annual Multi-Cultural Storytelling Festival, which, since 1990, has brought well-known tellers representing different ethnic and minority groups to the Eugene area to tell to over 7,000 students in the schools annually. This festival is meant to be a positive way to further cultural appreciation and understanding through story. During the past nineteen years, 57 storytellers have visited over 130,000 students in the schools.

As an author, Robert wrote CURTAINS UP! - THEATRE GAMES & STORYTELLING - using theatre games for skill-building and curriculum enhancement. HINTS FOR TEACHING SUCCESS IN MIDDLE SCHOOL received a three-column rave review in MIDDLE GROUND, the national middle school magazine. He has also written two young adult novels: WHO WANTS TO BE A HERO! and WHEN SIRENS SCREAM. HERO was made into a movie for "Showtime" TV, and SIRENS was named by the 1983 A.L.A. BOOKLIST as one of the notable young adult novels on the issue of nuclear power. His short stories appear in Peninnah Schrams´ CHOSEN TALES: STORIES TOLD BY JEWISH TELLERS and in THE GHOST & I, and Eric Kimmel's award-winning WONDERS & MIRACLES. His new book, ZISHE THE STRONGMAN, will be published in 2010.

PAST PERFORMANCES
Member of the Nu Wa National Storytelling Delegation to China
Boston Public Library
Atlanta Hebrew School Academies
Linn-Benton Community College teacher workshop
Northwest Folklife Festival - Seattle
New York Public Library
Congregation Beth Elohim - Brooklyn
Eastern Tennessee State - storytelling workshop

NOTABLE PERFORMANCES &WORKSHOPS

Recipient of an ORACLE Award from the 2001 National Storytelling Network

Featured in the National Education Association Magazine, Oct. 2001

Presented workshops in "Using & Teaching Humor and Laughter to reduce violence, stress and enhance curriculum

Presented workshops and performances at the 2001 Conference on Alternatives in Jewish Education at Colorado State University

Invited to perform at the 2000 National Storytelling Festival in Tennessee

Presented workshops and performances at the 2000 Conference on Alternatives in Jewish Education at Hofstra University, New York

Named "Jewish Performer for the Month of June" by the national Jewish Entertainment Network.

Featured performer for Portland´s 2001 "Tapestry Of Tales"

Performed as a storyteller in Boston, Atlanta, Nashville, Vancouver-B.C., Berkeley, Oregon State Library Conference, Proctor & Gamble, Young Writers Conference, Eugene Ballet

Presented workshops, including a teen panel, and performances at the 1999 Conference on Alternatives in Jewish Education at Ohio State University in Columbus

Presented workshops and performances at the 1998 Conference on Alternatives in Jewish Education in San Antonio, Texas

Presented at the National Storytelling Conference in Seattle, 1994

Listed in WHO'S WHO AMONG AMERICA'S TEACHERS: 1994-97

Founder and director (1969-1994) of the nationally-known Troupe of Tellers from Roosevelt Middle School in Eugene, Oregon

Founder, producer and director of Eugene´s Multi-Cultural Storytelling Festival (1990 - )