RECOMMENDATIONS: Teachers and Students

 

     “Mrs. Willis is a delightful speaker. She is particularly interesting in an Alternative Education Program because she instills enthusiasm and confidence in the students. She captures their attention and teaches them skills in reading and storytelling. They are totally absorbed in her presentation.

     “These students are difficult to reach, but she quickly gained their trust, and they engaged in activities that amazed me.

     “It was inspiring to witness the students’ reactions to her.”

 

Karen Spencer, Teacher

Harrah High School Alternative Education Program

Harrah, OK

 

 

     “Her stories were magnificent and kept the students spellbound. I found her to be so versatile, not only covering Native American areas, but character development and avoiding drugs as well.”

 

Gretchen Veit, Project Create Staff

Morrison Elementary School, Morrison

Great Women of the Frontier, Storytelling,

And monthly Cherokee Culture and Language Classes for Grades PK-6 for 3 years

 

 

     “Laurette Willis has been providing educational programs for Owasso High School for more than 10 years. She has an amazing ability to communicate with her audience. Laurette has a strong sense of morality and responsibility, plus, the most amazing talent in dialects, voice an acting.

     “You can’t miss with Laurette Willis!”

 

Sallyanne H. Wallace, AP Language Arts teacher

Owasso High School, Owasso, OK

Performances presented at Owasso High School include: Great Women of the Frontier, Folktales of Scotland; Great Women of the Oil Fields; The Nutty ‘40s Radio Show; Introducing: Miss Emily Dickinson; Reflections: Letters from WW2 plus Drama Workshops and Residencies for Seniors.

 

 

     "Ms. Willis acted so well that I felt overwhelming sympathy for Belle Starr. She definitely presented a new side to the Western icon that I had never really thought about before."

 

Student critique

Living Literature Conference 2008

Northeastern State University, OK

The REAL Belle Starr

 

 

    “When writing activities followed Laurette’s performance, the amount of information retained by the students was amazing!”

 

Teacher, 4^th Grade

Bartlesville, OK

Great Women of the Frontier, Storytelling, and Storytelling workshops

     “After observing Laurette’s performance at a Great Expectations summer session, I asked my principal to schedule her for our students’ enjoyment next year, even if I had to pay for her expenses myself. I wanted the students to witness her performance.”

 

Joyce McPhetridge, Retired teacher

Will Rogers Elementary School, McAlester, OK

(FYI – Mrs. McPhetridge didn’t have to pay for the performance – the Oklahoma Arts Council and school covered the expenses!)

 

 

     “As I reflect back on the highlights of the past year, you come to mind. Your willingness to participate in our Indian Heritage Week Program is greatly appreciated.

     “How many years has it been since we started this venture of you sharing your expertise with the students in Muskogee Public Schools? (Since 1993)  Our teachers love having you come to their schools and the students gain valuable knowledge from the Culture and Traditions that you share.

     “Thank you for caring about our Native American youth and for sharing your expertise so our youth will long remember the traditions of our people.”

 

Maxine Glory, Director

Indian Education Programs

Muskogee, OK

 Great Women of the Frontier, Storytelling, Cherokee language, plus NACAIR (Native American Culture Artist-In-Residence Program) and storytelling workshops for students and teachers.

 

 

     “Thank you so much for attending our school. The children and staff enjoyed your program and hope that you will come back again. I personally was amazed at how well you held a group of 2^nd and 3^rd graders as a captive audience. Just to see the smiles on their faces and hear the laughter in the room was a joy. In addition, the themes you used such as deception and honesty, goes along with our character education program. The best thing is that it allowed the students to learn about history, storytelling, acting, and character building in an innovative and fun way. Thank you again for a wonderful day.”

 

Janet Richardson, Counselor

William R. Teague Elementary School, Wagoner, OK

Storytelling

 

 

     "Our Alternative Education students enjoyed the opportunity to actively learn a variety of concepts in literature with the vivacious Laurette Willis. The Oklahoma Arts Council funded this project of integrating the arts into the curriculum. Mrs. Willis’ enthusiasm generated a better school attendance, too!”

 

Harrah Schools Alternative Education Director

Harrah Public Schools, Harrah, OK

 

 

     “Thank you for your wonderful presentations for us. Great Women of the Frontier brings the history we’ve been studying to life for the children. They look forward to seeing you all year!” J

 

The 4^th Grade Teachers from Hoover, Wilson and Ranch Heights Elementary Schools

Bartlesville, OK

Presenting in Bartlesville every year since 1993: Great Women of the Frontier, Storytelling, Storytelling workshops

 

    

     “Your acts were remarkable, magnificent, sensational! You made me feel majestic. I felt like I was there. Come back again next year.”

 

Jeremiah, 4^th Grade Student

Bartlesville, OK

 

Administrators, Librarians and Other Community Leaders

 

“I am writing in support of a project proposed by the Arts Council of Tahlequah. I am especially pleased that ACT has chosen to support the research, writing, and production of the play, The 1840 Cherokee Trial of Archilla Smith. Laurette Willis serves as the playwright, director, and narrator.

     “This play documents an important part of Cherokee history and brings to life important Cherokee leaders. Ms. Willis developed her script from actual court transcripts of the trial. Cherokee actors portray the lead characters. Cherokee Nation Prosecutor Chad Smith, a professor of Cherokee law, will assist with an accurate representation of 1840 Cherokee law and courtroom procedure. The play will be staged in the Cherokee Tribal Courtroom in the old Cherokee Capital Building (on the same grounds where the original trial took place).

     “We are very pleased the Arts Council is working with Ms. Willis to make this historical opportunity a reality.”

 

Wilma P. Mankiller

Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation (1985-1995)

Tahlequah, OK

The 1840 Cherokee Trial of Archilla Smith was presented in the Old Capital Building of the Cherokee Nation in 1994, and a video of the play was presented on OETA in 1995. (The Video is available from CHIEF Productions – Cherokee Language and Culture in Tulsa, OK)

 

 

     “I had a notion of what I wanted to see you do. Let me assure you, what you taught far exceeded my expectations. You brought new skills and experiences to our people. When school starts think of all the lives they will touch.

     “Thanks for sharing your rare talents. Great Expectations is enhanced by your involvement.

     “I am glad to have you on our team. I appreciate the integrity you exemplify.”

 

Charlie Hollar, Founder

Great Expectations Institute, Northeastern State University

Certified Great Expectations Instructor from 1994 – 2000

 

 

     “Dickinson’s genius and Willis’ craftsmanship make Emily Dickinson a gift of ‘Beauty’ and ‘Truth’ to the audience.”

 

Jean Havens, Daily Press

Northeastern State University Premiere 1995

Introducing: Miss Emily Dickinson

 

 

     “Laurette has provided delightful programs for quite large groups – we can have up to 350. She is enthusiastic, positive, and a joy to work with. You can’t go wrong having her provide a program for your patrons – young or old!”

 

Sue Busch, Children’s Librarian

Stillwater Public Library, Stillwater, OK

Summer Reading Program performances in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007 and 2008

 

 

     “Laurette presented her Personality Plus seminar and The Nutty ‘40s Radio Show at our Annual Rotary District Conference. Attendees at the personality seminar were pleasantly surprised at the practical nature of the information presented and Laurette’s musical comedy was enjoyed by young and old alike. The audience participation was a big hit and the comments about the show were very positive.”

 

Michael Babb, M.D.

Chairman of District Conference, Rotary District 5750

Rotary International

Personality Plus Seminar and The Nutty '40s Radio Show

 

 

     “You were great at the annual meeting. Everyone enjoyed your performance.”

 

Frances E. Doyal, Secretary

Oklahoma Home Community Education

Great Women of the Oil Fields

 

 

     “Laurette Willis has a way of making history come alive!”

 

Jo Ellen Clow, Arts and Humanities Council

Broken Arrow, OK

Reflections: Letters from World War II, The Nutty '40s Radio Show

 

 

     “On behalf of the Women’s Studies Governing Board and the students in my Introduction to Women’s Studies class, I would like to thank you for visiting our campus last week both in and out of costume. From talking with my students I know that many of them were strongly moved by the honesty and sincerity with which you spoke to them about your life and work.

     “Seeing you in character the following day added to their understanding of Emily Dickinson. Two of them told me yesterday that your performance left them as you hoped it would. ‘How did she say she wanted us to feel when we left the theater? Oh yeah… “bigger on the inside.”’ They are a quiet class and what two will express, many more are thinking.”

 

Alexa Larson-Thorish, Assistant Professor

The University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK

Introducing: Miss Emily Dickinson

 

 

     “Your performance of Great Women of the Frontier provided a look into the past with the colorful characters you portrayed. The trials, laughter and insight of the women revealed the spirit and strength of each, and the footprints they made for us to follow today.

     “Continue the good work in inspiring others with your blessed talent.”

 

Carolyn S. Roper, Coordinator

Deep Fork Community Action, Hughes County

Holdenville, OK

 

 

     “People are still talking about how incredible your performances were! Thank you for adding so much to our event. We really appreciated your being a part of Frontier Fest this year and helping to make it such a success. We hope that you will be able to participate again and perhaps do more programs for us.

     “Thank you again for your outstanding performances. I’m so glad that we were able to bring you to our festival and hope that we can soon talk about next year.”

 

Julie Northrip, Committee Chair for Frontier Fest

Fort Smith National Historic Site

Fort Smith, AR

The REAL Belle Starr, and Great Women of the Frontier

 

  

     “We were so pleased with the training you provided for our Head Start staff. It was both entertaining and motivational. Your topic could not have been more appropriate if we had told you what to say.

     “I will definitely pass your name along to other Head Start agencies in Oklahoma. Thanks for your fun and inspiration.”

 

Donna Carolan, Head Start Director

Oklahoma

Envision: Goals 101 Workshop and Keynote

 

 

     “Thanks for making our pilot program for the Gilcrease Museum Oklahoma History Tour a smashing success! In addition to the comments I’ve heard in the museum from teachers, students, and our docent volunteers, we have received letters from many fourth graders naming the performance of Great Women of the Frontier as their favorite part of this museum visit.

     “I have enjoyed working with you. Your professionalism, cooperation and ability to be flexible have proved invaluable to this program.”

 

Deborah Burke, Director of Public Programs

Gilcrease Museum, Tulsa, OK

Great Women of the Frontier and spinning wheel demonstrations

 

 

     “Thank you for the best after-dinner entertainment we’ve had in 16 years!”

 

Bonnie Buchanan, Vice-President

Jefferson Lines Group Travel, Minneapolis, MN

Great Women of the Frontier

 

 

     “We would like to give a great BIG thank you for making our Annual Employee Christmas party such a success. Your Christmas version of The Nutty ‘40s Radio Show was a huge hit with everyone in attendance. We really enjoyed the personal song that you took time to compose for our bank and its employees. Your professionalism and musical talent really seemed to polish the entire show. Again, I thank you for helping make our party fun and enjoyable.”

 

Candy Jarvis, Marketing Coordinator

Bank of Cherokee County – Oklahoma

The Nutty '40s Radio Show (Christmas version)

 

 

     “Laurette is the FUNNIEST woman I have ever seen!”

 

Rick Crom, Chicago City Limits and Second City, Chicago

First Amendment Comedy & Improvisation Company, NYC, NY