Ken Oguss

I am first and foremost a storyteller. In my family all of us were storytellers. The first thing a storyteller must learn is how to listen very carefully. I listened to folk and fairytales, myths and legends, and family history stories. I listened to stories read aloud from the hundreds of books in our home and the public library. I desperately wanted to read stories too, but I was dyslexic. Learning to read in a traditional school was almost impossible. When I was twelve my life changed. I was tutored over the summer and then taught for a year by an exceptional teacher. I learned "how I learn.” I discovered that my creativity was an essential survival skill. When you must find a different way of doing things you have to be creative! I studied Anthropology, Psychology, and Theater in college. I developed a passionate interest in how people communicate; especially with story. I earned a Masters Degree in Library and Information Science. I devoted myself to working with children and their families in libraries, hospitals, museums, and most recently in a private school for students with dyslexia and other learning differences. I use creative storytelling to entertain, inspire, and teach. My creative toolbox has grown to include: photography, videography, digital audio & video editing, oral history recording, group facilitation, and brainstorming. I now love to write short stories, flash fiction, and screenplays. I write a blog about professional storytelling. My short creative films and documentaries are on YouTube, and I’ve recorded some of my original stories for SoundCloud. Since 2013 I’ve edited dozens of oral history interviews for the Life Stories Project in Indianapolis. I am currently looking for jobs sculpting stories for artistic collaborations, podcasts, and audio productions. I thrive on finding creative solutions to challenges. It is what I do. I've got my toolbox. I can help you find the story, script it, record it, edit it, and share it. Tell me what you would like to do. I will begin by listening.