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Noa Baum

Fiction, Literary, Non-Fiction, Performance, Performance Art, Theatre

Awards Received

Independent Artist

2004, 2006, 2010

Storytelling is the intersection of my work as a performance artist, author, and educator. Storytelling is both a performance art and a tool to connect, communicate and collaborate.

In a world where peace is a challenge in the schoolyard and beyond, my performances and interactive workshops focus on the power of stories to heal across differences and build bridges of understanding and compassion.

I love connecting with all ages - adults, teens or children. I offer performances, author talks, keynotes, workshops, and residencies. I enjoy sharing personal narratives and stories from many diverse cultures as well as my own Jewish heritage.

About the Artist

Israeli-born Noa Baum is an internationally acclaimed storyteller and author. With mesmerizing voices, impeccable timing, and warm authenticity Noa captivates audiences of all ages, with stories drawn from diverse cultures that highlight our similarities, celebrate our differences and encourage curiosity, and acceptance. In a world where peace is a challenge in the schoolyard and beyond, Noa’s work builds bridges of understanding and compassion. Noa was an actress at Jerusalem Khan Theater and studied theater and education at NYU and with Uta Hagen in NYC. Performance highlights include The World Bank; Mayo Clinic for Humanities in Medicine; NSA; AARP; US Defense Department; The Kennedy Center; National Storytelling Festival; Hebrew University, Jerusalem; US Securities and Exchange Commission; Fabula Festival, Sweden; GWU Law school; Brandies and Stanford Universities; Jewish Museum, NYC; Limmud UK; Hundreds of schools, libraries, and congregations of many faiths. Noa's memoir, A Land Twice Promised - an Israeli Woman's Quest for Peace, (adults and teens) recounts her journey from childhood in Jerusalem to befriending a Palestinian woman and using storytelling for peace-building. It won several awards including the Anne Izard Storytellers' Choice and Storytelling World Awards. Her TEDx talk is: Beyond Labels - Bridging Differences through Storytelling.   Noa's new picture book (2021) How the Birds Became Friends (ages 4-8) is a gentle fable on the power of kindness to change the world.

Noa Baum website Noa Baum Storytelling

Artist's Statement

When I introduce myself as a storyteller, people often ask: "Storytelling? So you read stories to children?" Well, I have published two books, one for children and one for adults and teens, I do offer author visits to communities and schools BUT ... NO! Storytelling is not just reading to children. Storytelling is an ancient art form with powerful applications in education, healing, advocacy, and social change for communities and organizations. Long before the written words – people told stories.  Stories were part of the life fabric of the whole community, as essential as food and shelter and not just for children. Our brains are wired for stories. It is how humans passed on history and values, wisdom of the mind and wisdom of the heart for thousands of years. Storytelling is at the heart of the human experience. Stories are the most powerful tool for communication since they enter our hearts by engaging our imagination. Storytelling is important to leadership communications because through stories we connect with others, pass on our identity and our values, inspire, motivate, and persuade.  In my work I offer Storytelling as a performance art as well as a powerful tool for connection, communication and collaboration in interactive workshops and seminars. I look forward to connecting with you to share my passion! ALL of my programs  - performances, workshops, author talks and residencies - are offered live in person or live online. Selected programs offered as recordings. Featured here is SMALL sample of my broad range of programs Please contact storytelling@noabaum.com for more information or to custom desgin a program to accommodate your goals and needs.

Featured Work

Photos

How the Birds Became Friends Retold by Noa Baum, Illustrated by Zev Labinger September 2021, Familius Long ago when the world was very young, the birds did not get along. They were always fighting about who was better. Beaks pecking! Feathers flying! Squawks and screeches everywhere! Little Quail feels lost in all the noise, but with each bird trying to outdo the others, Quail bravely takes an unexpected approach. In this delightful take on a Burmese folktale, told by award-winning storyteller Noa Baum and illustrated by renowned ecologist and artist Zev Labinger, watch the power of kindness change the world. Rooted in her Jewish heritage, and focusing on timeless universal values, Noa engages young and old in an interactive conversation about the choices we can make to bring more healing and peace into our world. Noa also shares the process of turning a story told in the oral tradition into a picture book.
Beyond Labels - Bridging Differences Through Storytelling Interactive storytelling model Noa developed to help build bridges for peace and dialogue in communities and schools. Participants experience how listening to and telling the story of "the other" can help break through stereotypes and rhetoric as they find compassion and the possibility of change.
Story Bridges: Exploring Identity and Connection. Stories are a powerful window to our identity and help us see beyond labels, pre-conceptions and fears. This dynamic presentation helps students discover and explore many of the facets of identity. Noa shares her experiences of bridging differences through the power of story. She invites students to consider the multiple aspects of our identity as reflected in personal stories and national narratives.

Videos

  • A Father's Gift

    See more information about A Father's Gift
    A Father's Gift: In 1965, there was a war between India and Pakistan and Bilal wanted to know "Why is there all this hate?" This is the true story of a special gift Dr. Bilal Ahmed, a Pakistani Muslim, received from his father when he was thirteen. He offered his story as a gift to storyteller, Noa Baum, to shape and retell.

  • Noa's TEDx talk: Beyond Labels - Bridging Differences through Storytelling

    See more information about Noa's TEDx talk: Beyond Labels - Bridging Differences through Storytelling
    When Israeli-born Noa Baum moved to the U.S. and unexpectedly formed a friendship with a Palestinian woman, she realized the importance of listening to the story of the "other" - even if that other is the enemy. She discovered that storytelling transforms perceptions, and from that epiphany Noa shares how she uses storytelling to connect across conflict in our communities and work places. Can storytelling change our response to differences?

  • A Taste of Eden: Stories from the Jewish Tradition (Trailer)

    See more information about A Taste of Eden: Stories from the Jewish Tradition (Trailer)
    A Taste of Eden: Stories from the Jewish Tradition (Family & ages 5 and up) (This show is 55 min.)
    A celebration of the Jewish tradition with tales of wonder, magic, and faith from Israel and around the world. With warm authenticity and her animated style, Noa combines Jewish folktales and personal stories that are uplifting and entertaining for the entire family.
    Teacher/leader guide with ideas and activities is included.

  • Trailer: Undaunted: Tales of Adventure and Courage

    See more information about Trailer: Undaunted: Tales of Adventure and Courage
    (This show is 60 min. for grades 4 and up)
    During times of crisis, stories help calm and guide us. Stories about overcoming fear remind us of our courage. This uplifting program offers stories that attend to social-emotional needs in challenging times and are rooted in literacy. Noa invites students to listen deeply, imagine, and connect with the adventures of undaunted characters who are not discouraged by difficulty, danger, or disappointment. Teacher/leader guide with ideas and activities is included with purchase.

  • Choosing Peace - Multicultural Tales to Ponder

    See more information about Choosing Peace - Multicultural Tales to Ponder
    Recommended for grades 3-5 (Please note: can also be adapted to grades k-2)
    At this critical time when we need to not only embrace diversity but also to understand it, Noa offers the opportunity to see the world from multiple perspectives and to consider our role in making the world kinder and more just. Students will explore the themes of peace, justice, wisdom, and compassion across diverse cultures.
    This program is available as alive in-person assembly (45 min.) AND/OR in virtual formats both Synchronous Asynchronous.
    Teacher/leader guide with ideas and activities is included.

  • My Shiduch - My Match (for adults)

    See more information about My Shiduch - My Match (for adults)
    This story is part of the show: Impossible to Translate but I'll Try - True-Life Israeli Stories.
    I was 29 years old and I was "kaput" - finished in my grandmother Yiddish... I was 29 years old and unmarried!
    Here is the story of what happens when your family decided to send you a matchmaker.

Booking

Booking Price: $500-$1,000

My programs are custom designed to fit your needs and budget.
Program fees range from $500 to $2500
Artist in Residence weekend ranges $4000-$5000 and includes up to 4 different programs.
Artist in Residence week - call for details.

All fees are negotiable to adjust to your budget.
CALL: +1 703-244-1938
EMAIL: storytelling@noabaum.com

Live In-Person Performances:
Microphone on a stand.

Live In Person Workshops:
Large room with ability to move chairs around.
Flip chart, white board or chalk board.

VIRTUAL live performances:
Zoom or other virtual platform.
Host or support person present online to manage the virtual platform throughout the event.

VIRTUAL workshops/seminars:
Noa needs to be given host privileges to be able to manage break out rooms and visuals.

Available to travel to all regions of Maryland.

Arts in Education

Audiences Types: Grades Pre-K – 2, Grades 3-5, Middle School (6-8 grade), High School (9-12 grade), Educators

ALL of my programs listed below under visiting performance or residencies - are offered live in person or live online.
Selected programs offered as recordings.
Here is SMALL sample of my broad range of performances, workshops, author talks and residencies.
Please contact storytelling@noabaum.com for more information or to custom desgin a program to accommodate your goals and needs.

Residencies and Workshops are offered in a variety of formats. Choose from 90 min.; 2 hr; or multi-session formats.

For Adults and teens:
1. Beyond Labels - Bridging Differences Through Storytelling
Experience the storytelling model Noa developed to help build bridges for peace and dialogue in your community. Learn how listening to and telling the story of "the other" can help break through stereotypes and rhetoric as you find compassion and the possibility of change.

2. Story Lifelines: Connection and Community
During challenging times, we may be feeling isolated and alone, but our stories can bring us closer together and strengthen our resilience. We all have stories to tell. We tell to remember who we are. In this workshop you will deepen connections and create community through the power of your own stories in a guided process of sharing and listening.

3. Hidden Treasures: Your Story as a Gift
We all have a treasure trove of stories to share. Discover how a memory can be shaped into a story and become a gift worth passing on. Through interactive activities of speaking, listening and writing, you will develop a story from your life that can inspire others.

AUTHOR ENCOUNTERS
HOW THE BIRDS BECAME FRIENDS (For families and children ages 3-8)
In this delightful take on a Burmese folktale, told by award-winning storyteller Noa Baum and illustrated by renowned ecologist and artist Zev Labinger, watch the power of kindness change the world. Noa engages young and old in an interactive conversation about peace and shares the process of turning a story told in the oral tradition into a picture book.

SPEAKING LIFE: AN ISRAELI WOMAN'S QUEST FOR PEACE (For adults and teens)
Noa shares her experience of using storytelling as a tool for dialogue and peace building in this compelling presentation about her award-winning book A Land Twice Promised. In this dynamic session Baum demonstrates the transformative power of listening to the other and challenges us to take the first step toward building bridges of inclusion and peace in our communities and workplaces.

PERFORMANCES
STORY BRIDGES: EXPLORING IDENTITY AND CONNECTION (Middle school and high school)
Watch sample: https://vimeo.com/486252508
Stories are a powerful window to our identity and help us see beyond labels, pre-conceptions and fears.
This dynamic assembly helps students discover and explore many of the facets of identity.
Noa shares her experiences of bridging differences through the power of story. She invites students to consider the multiple aspects of our identity as reflected in personal stories and national narratives.

IMPOSSIBLE TO TRANSLATE BUT I’LL TRY: TRUE-LIFE ISRAELI STORIES (Adults and teens)
Storytelling World Award winner!
Growing up in Jerusalem is more than the Bible and War. Noa takes us on a poignant and humorous journey through her life. Experience a completely different side of Israel with stories of childhood adventures, outrageous matchmaking and all the love in between.

MARVELOUS MAIDENS, INCREDIBLE CRONES - STORIES OF WOMEN WISE AND BOLD
(Different stories selected for different age groups. Grade 4th and up)
Discover exceptional women from history, the Bible, and folklore who use their wit, wisdom, spirit, and strength to accomplish great deeds.

UNDAUNTED: TALES OF ADVENTURE AND COURAGE (4th grade and up)
Since the dawn of time, people in every culture have been telling stories about overcoming fear to remind us of our courage. This uplifting program offers stories that attend to social emotional needs in challenging times and are rooted in literacy. Noa invites us to listen deeply, imagine, and connect with the adventures of undaunted characters who are not discouraged by difficulty, danger or disappointment.

CHOOSING PEACE – MULTICULTURAL TALES TO PONDER (Different stories selected for different age groups. K-12)
At this critical time when we need to not only embrace diversity, but also to understand it, Noa offers the opportunity to see the world from multiple perspectives and to consider our role in making the world kinder and more just. Students will explore the themes of peace, justice, wisdom, and compassion across diverse cultures.