School Workshops and Performances

We offer a variety of packages for schools combining performance and workshops. We work closely with each school to ensure we provide what they are looking for.

We provide a range of workshops that all help bring elements of different African cultures to life. These include storytelling and song, Shona batik painting, dance and movement, dances from across the continent. These are all delivered by skilled workshop leaders.

Our performances tie in with this and introduce larger audiences to some beautiful stories from across the African continent.

We offer services ranging from a single workshop leader to a full scale production of the highest quality. We also offer a Toto Tales artist-in-residence programme that offers excellent value for money and ensures a rich experience and positive learning outcomes linked to the children’s education.

Testimonials

I’d like to recommend Mara the Storyteller, she recently did a session for pre-school children at BBC Scotland, Pacific Quay which was very successful. Her simple and natural approach to storytelling was incredibly effective with the kids who were entranced throughout and Mara had a real connection and engagement with the audience. The storytelling moved effortlessly into a mask making session and the children (and adults) left the session with their imagination(s) working overtime. Fantastic stories with wonderful textures, colours and imagery.

Sara Harkins
Editor CBeebies Scotland.

Just to say thank you to Mara for her wonderful storytelling session at St. Joseph’s N.S. The 90 + boys who heard her were enchanted. I think even the older boys would have enjoyed watching her performance. She was so animated and energetic and professional. Thank you.

Catherine Kelly (Deputy Principal) Co. Monaghan, Ireland

We have just returned home and my little boy Loui, aged ‘nearly 5′, a pupil at Burrington school, who spent a large part of his time joining in, said he wanted to “tell that sun that he should still give the colours back to the Moon!”…. You brought a brilliant energy and vitality to the school, I wish you were here all the time!…. We had to rush off at the end and didn’t get chance to thank you ourselves… but THANK YOU. It was so good to see all the pupils engaging in the show. I wonder that some of them had never experienced anything so engaging before! The look of awe and wonder on their faces… and to see them opening up and joining in so confidently was glorious!

Jo & Loui Curnow (parent and son – North Devon)

I just wanted to let you know that a mother came by to say how much her son had enjoyed the afternoon session – she had never previously thought that storytelling would be something he was interested in, but he’d loved it so much that he’d made her come back and see what else he could come to, so he may well come along to our drop-in session on Saturday.  He was obviously raving about it, which I think is a huge credit to you!

Joanna Borgs
Storyteller in Residence, The Village Storytelling Centre, Glasgow

The children had a great day with you and are really into the subject (fair trade) now.

Jill Wareham (Headteacher)
East Linton Primary