News Release

Featured Storytellers Announced for 32nd Annual Haunting in the Hills Storytelling Festival

Date: August 6, 2024
Contact: Christopher Derman, 423-569-9778

Experience a day of immersive storytelling, stirring musical performances, vibrant craft displays; food options, and more at the 32nd annual "Haunting in the Hills" Storytelling Festival. This special event is scheduled for Saturday, September 21, from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM (ET) at Bandy Creek Visitor Center area.

Featured 2024 storytellers

Kucha Brownlee and Baba Tony Brown - Kucha Brownlee began her storytelling journey through theatre, touring the Midwest and Canada with children’s companies. With a BA in English, she merges her education and experience in her 35+ years as a professional storyteller and singer. Kucha’s diverse storytelling includes both African and African folktales, historical narratives, and personal stories, enhanced by her theatrical flair. For the past 20 years, Kucha has collaborated with Baba Tony Brown, blending storytelling with interactive performances, singing, drumming, and lively engagement. Baba Tony, a former public speaker and trainer, plays various instruments and teaches drumming. Together, they have led workshops for numerous organizations and are active members of several storytelling associations.

Rona Leventhal - Rona Leventhal has been sharing her passion of the power of story for over three decades, putting laughter in the belly and smiles in the hearts of listeners. Rona’s performances are dynamic, evocative, funny… sometimes at the same time! She aims to leave her audiences with “aha’s!” and “ah’s!”. Rona is a certified Teacher and loves sharing what she calls “Living Literacy” with young people of all ages! Her performances have taken her from the stages at the National Storytelling Network, the National Yiddish Book Center, festivals, international venues including recent events in Morocco and Australia, conferences, schools and libraries. Rona is a Teller of Tales, Workshop Leader, Improv Specialist, Coach, Teaching Artist and Consultant.

Paul Strickland - Paul Strickland, a Kentucky-based storyteller and theatre artist, of unique family-friendly stories. In 2023, he was a Featured Teller: New Voice at the National Storytelling Festival and at the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival. He has also featured at major festivals like Cave Run in 2022. Known for adapting his storytelling to any audience, Paul has performed in diverse settings, from comedy clubs to schools and even prisons. He made his NYC Off-Broadway debut in 2018 with "13 Dead Dreams of Eugene" at SoHo Playhouse. His stories have won "Best of Fest" honors at Fringe Festivals over 16 times, and his comedy performance "Levels of Difficulty" is a SiriusXM staple.

Darci Tucker - Darci Tucker is from Williamsburg, Virginia. Born and raised in California, she spent her childhood profoundly homesick for the East Coast, where she had never been. In college she visited Williamsburg, and finally felt at home. Darci travels nationwide, mesmerizing children and adults alike with folktales, fairytales, mythology, Shakespeare and more. She is a shape-shifter who often portrays the people whose stories she tells.

Bring your lawn chair or cozy blanket and become a part of this 32-year tradition that culminates with the increasingly spooky Haunting in the Hills ghost stories throughout the evening. Visitors can earn points towards the 2024 Go Big Challenge, all while immersing themselves in the natural beauty of one of America's treasured landscapes.

This annual event is free and open to the public, offering a day of wonder and imagination. For additional information on this special event as well as other events, call [phone], or visit online: https://www.nps.gov/biso/planyourvisit/storytelling.htm.