Performing Members of the Jonesborough Storytellers Guild
This is a list of Jonesborough Storytellers Guild currently available storytellers, with information about what, how, where, and to whom they like to tell. Click the name to see a performer’s biography and contact information. For revisions and updates, email Webmaster.
Rebecca Alexander
Types of stories: Family, Children’s, Humorous, Personal, Inspirational/ Religious
Preferred Audience: Teens, Adults, Mixed ages
Preferred Settings: Churches, Hospitals, Assisted Living Facilities, Festivals, Civic Organizations, Businesses
Special Talents: In costume for Biblical stories
Types of stories: All
All settings and audiences
Molly Catron
Types of stories: All
All settings and audiences
Types of stories: Historical, Family,Original/Creative, Humorous, Adventure,
Personal, Inspirational/ Religious, Women in Aviation, Military
Preferred Audience: Adults, Mixed Ages
Preferred Settings: Churches, Festivals, Civic Organizations, Businesses, Workshops, Schools
Types of stories: Endless and diverse stock for all ages. Specializing in personal and original stories of strong women, shivery scary tales and specialties for the holidays (Christmas, Easter, St. Patrick’s Day, Halloween)
Preferred Settings: All (libraries, festivals, civic organizations,
businesses, schools, assisted living facilities, etc)
Special Talents: Historical and authentic character portrayals, puppets and ventriloquism.
Offers workshops.
Types of Stories: Appalachian, Family, Scary, Original/Creative, Humorous, Personal, Inspirational/ Religious
Preferred Audience: Teens, Adults, Mixed Ages
Preferred Settings: Churches, Festivals, Civic Organizations, Businesses, Large Group Settings
Types of stories: Folktales, personal, literary, historical, tall tales, ghost stories
Preferred settings: Festivals, schools, libraries, parks, family gatherings
Preferred audiences: Children, adults, families, mixed ages
Types of stories: Folk tales, personal stories, fairy tales, Jack tales
Preferred settings: Any
Preferred audience: All
Types of stories: personal stories, inspirational
Preferred settings: Any
Preferred audience: All
Types of stories: Folk tales, personal stories, and scary stories.
Preferred settings: Festivals, family gatherings, corporate and business events, schools and libraries
Types of stories: All
All settings and audiences
Bruce Montgomery 
Types of Stories: Historical, Family, Original/Creative, Humorous, Inspirational/ Religious
Preferred Audience: Adults, Mixed Ages
Preferred Settings: Churches, Hospitals, Festivals, Businesses, Workshops, Schools
Betty Ann Polaha
Types of stories: All
All settings and audiences
Linda Poland 
Types of stories: Historical, Appalachian, Family, Scary, Original/Creative, Humorous, Adventure, Personal, Inspirational/ Religious, World War II
Preferred Audience: Adults, Mixed Ages
Preferred Settings: Churches, Hospitals, Festivals, Civic Organizations, Businesses, Workshops, Schools
Special Talents: Costumed Characterization
Types of stories: All
All settings and audiences
Joy Salberg 
Types of stories: All
All settings and audiences
Catherine Yael Serota
Catherine is a native of Asheville NC who brings to the stage Appalachian historical, folk, and tall tales, personal vignettes, and literary masterpieces seasoned with humor. Extensive travel and educational pursuits lend cultural relevance to stories that leave an emotional tang.
Wallace Shealy
With a twinkle in his eye Shealy said, “of course I embellished the truth slightly.” The Mountain Xpress said in their opinion “Shealy exaggerates more than slightly.” The Tribune revealed that this upstanding local had been caught lying. It doesn’t matter if he is recalling a tale from his childhood, telling a story based on the Good Book or spinning a yarn you will be delighted listening to him stretch the truth all out of proportion.
Types of Stories: Jack Tales, Historical, Tall Tales, Appalachian, Family, Scary, Children’s, Original/Creative, Humorous, Personal, Inspirational/ Religious
All audiences and settings
Special Talents: American Sign Language