A Window into a Residency with Heidi Grosch

It is a challenge in today’s fast paced society to capture the media focused attention of children. I have found, however, in working with them on a daily basis as a children’s performer and arts educator, that they are hungry for opportunities to launch their creativity into the unknown. They don’t need a remote control or a DVD; all they need is a challenge and permission to go wherever their imaginations take them.

Growing up I loved to read, knowing that through books I could travel anywhere and be anything. (One entire room of my house is a library). That love of the possible has allowed me to fill up more than one passport. I have lived in Ethiopia and Papua New Guinea, worked as an international tour guide with senior citizens and backpacked around the world.

Creating characters like Wordy Gerty and Shoe-la for the Minnesota Children’s Museum has given color to my imagination. Portraying historical women like Margaret Mee (Bell Museum of Natural History), Maud Hart Lovelace (Minnesota Historical Society) and Beatrix Potter has helped me know what it is like to stand in someone else’s shoes. Being a regular storyteller at the Red Balloon Bookshop and interactive storytelling as one of the Silly Sisters, started years ago with my little sister Greta keeps me on my toes. Beleive it or not, our mother Rosalie now performs with us too! Our book, What We Did Last Summer: Some Silly Sisters’ Summer Stories, is full of stories we created together in our performances.

Everything I do involves trying something new from directing choirs at Incarnation Lutheran Church (ages 4 - 5th grade) to presenting at Young Author’s Conferences. I teach drama classes through Stepping Stone Theater out of St. Paul and writing through the Loft out of Minneapolis. If that isn’t enough, I love playing with power tools and paintbrushes, strive to get the knees of my jeans dirty in the garden and look eagerly to what is around the next corner. I am exploreing my artist side with stained glass mosaic and oil painting lessons (I am learning from 82 year old author ventriloquist Muriel Linton).

My philosophy of life can be summed up in one phrase: “Life is like an air hockey table.” Without air the puck moves very slowly - if at all. But turn the air on and the puck will soar with just a tap. My job is to keep the air moving.”