Noa Baum, Storyteller: Using the Art and Practice of Storytelling to Connect, Communicate, and Collaborate

By Dorothy Mack

Noa Baum, an internationally acclaimed Artist and Storyteller, is returning to Indiana this month. In A LAND TWICE PROMISED, Noa weaves the stories of herself, an Israeli, and a Palestinian woman friend, and their mothers. Noa will present her compelling one-woman show twice in Indiana. Here in Indy, on Thursday October 13^th at 7 PM, she will perform at the Interchurch Center, 1100 w. 42^nd Street. Admission is free. The show appeals to adults and ages 12 and up. The next day, Noa will present A LAND TWICE PROMISED again at the annual meeting of the American Folklore Society in Bloomington. The overall AFS meeting theme is War, Peace, and Folklore and Noa will represent the National Storytelling Network.

Noa began a heartfelt dialogue with a Palestinian woman while living in the United States, and weaves together their memories and their mothers’ stories. She creates a moving testimony illuminating the complex and contradictory history and emotions that surround Jerusalem for Israelis and Palestinians alike.

Born and raised in Jerusalem, Noa offers a unique approach to storytelling in communities and organizations. Since 1982, she has inspired and educated audiences of all ages with her performances, keynotes, and workshops.

Noa holds a BFA in Theater from Tel Aviv University and a Master of Arts in Educational Theater from New York University (NYU). Noa received a Graduate Fellowship to work in inner city schools from C.A.T., the Theater in Education Company of NYU. She combined storytelling and drama while working in a school for emotionally disturbed boys in Tel-Aviv. Noa also taught early childhood and special education teachers at several colleges.

Noa has been living in the U.S. since 1990 and touring internationally. She has presented at hundreds of venues including: The World Bank, The Mayo Clinic, The Kennedy Center, The US Defense Department, GWU Law School, Brandies and Stanford Universities, and Hebrew University.

In Noa’s Words:

“Storytelling is the intersection of my work as a performance artist, educator, and diversity specialist. For me, story is both performance art and tool for change. I love connecting with people through stories. I use storytelling to entertain, build bridges of understanding, and offer pathways to dialogue and peace. Storytelling is an interactive art form that invites listeners of all ages to participate and use their imagination. I enjoy telling stories from cultures around the world as well as my Jewish heritage. Storytelling serves as a powerful tool for building community, facilitating transformation, and healing divisions between groups.”

 

A few years ago, I experienced A LAND TWICE PROMISED brought to Butler University by the International Interfaith Initiative. I was so moved, and vowed to bring her back again so that more people in Indy could hear her story. As we started the process this year, I discovered that Dee Anne Moore, of IPJC, had felt moved in the same way as I. We have collaborated with the Center for Interfaith Cooperation to bring Noa back again this year.    

And we plan to bring her back yet again in a couple of years with venues for her to offer some of her workshops. In businesses, schools, and organizations, she uses stories to harness the power of workplace diversity, foster collaboration, and promote innovation. She says she loves to witness the transformational power of a workshop and experience the energy shift in a room full of executives as they discover the power of stories.    

Come see for yourself! – Thursday October 13^th, 7:00 PM, at the Interchurch Center.