Spinning Tales with Marin's Scott the Storyteller

In Marin, there's no shortage of really talented children's entertainers. One of them is Scott Urquhart, AKA Scott the Storyteller. A fixture at local preschools, farmer's markets, and bookstores, Scott and his lively stories—with the help from a supporting cast of captivating puppets—delight and enchant children of all ages (and adults, too).

We caught up with Scott and asked him a few questions about himself, his stories, and where he gets his inspiration to entertain.

What's your background and how did you get started as a storyteller?

Probably like many parents, I started telling stories to my kids when they were very young. Even before they could understand the words I would tell them stories with a lot of facial expression and voice inflection and it really captured their attention. When they were old enough to get the words I really enjoyed inventing stories for them, and often with them. My son called them “imagining stories”. We would create wonderful new worlds and characters in our heads where anything was possible. Then in 2006 my wife was talking with the director of Redeemer Preschool in San Rafae, who happened to be looking for a children’s storyteller as part of their enrichment program. I auditioned and got the job. That’s when I started doing it professionally and it’s been growing ever since. I now tell stories regularly at eight preschools, plus festivals, parties, etc. It’s really cool.

What is the inspiration for your stories?

Well, my own kids were certainly a big inspiration. They literally helped create many of the stories I tell today. I’m also inspired by puppets. That probably sounds funny but when I started using puppets for my stories I would go to the store and try them on. Certain ones had so much personality I knew I just had to create a story around them. My biggest inspiration though is the kids I’m telling stories to. It’s an amazing thing to watch their eyes and their faces as I tell a story. You can see how vividly they’re interpreting the words and creating the pictures inside their heads. I often wish I had some sort of magic view screen so I could see what they’re creating in their minds.

What makes your storytelling special?

Parents and teachers tell me what makes it special is that I relate to the kids on their level and really bring the stories to life for them. It’s one thing to tell a story and another thing to act it out. I use a lot of voice characterization, facial expressions and body language to give each character a unique personality. A preschool teacher told me recently that while her class was listening to my CD, she counted the number of different character voices I did in one story—I think it was nine! Also, kids just love the puppets. I own about fifty puppets and each one has its own personality and attitude. They range from very proper British orangutan to a goofy slow-talking snail to feisty Muppet-style little girl named Samantha. I have mice, monsters, monkeys, dogs, dragons... I even have a heroic armadillo! I suppose I’m a little obsessed.

What's your favorite thing about working with kids?

Without a doubt it’s seeing the wonder in their eyes. Often there are magic moments when I know I’ve fully captured their imaginations and every child in the room is mesmerized. I’ll finish the story and the room will be silent because the kids are still in a stare, reliving the story in their minds. That’s a great feeling. I also love to make them laugh. Most of my stories have a lot of humor in them and there’s nothing like a room full of kids laughing together. It’s very contagious.

Where can families go to see you in action?

I perform every Saturday morning at the Marin County Mart Farmers Market, 10 am at Larkspur Landing. Another venue is in downtown Petaluma at the bookstore A Likely Story, Sundays at noon. I also have two CDs out so families can listen at home or in the car. (They come in handy when you have bored kids in the car.) I’ll be doing the local library circuit soon as well. For information and performance dates, people can visit my website, www.scottthestoryteller.com.