A Singaporean named Jenkins?! I was born in Singapore (RAF parents) but grew up in England. I returned to Singapore as a drama teacher in 1978 - and I’m still there. I took up my birthright in 1992 – which meant giving up my British passport as Singapore doesn’t allow dual nationality.

I have been telling professionally stories since 1998, when I was invited to conduct a Storytelling course for teachers by the Ministry of Education In-Service Training branch. Since then, over 1,100 teachers have taken the course, evidence of its on-going popularity and practicality.

In 2003, the National Book Development Council of Singapore invited me to co–ordinate its inaugural public showcase at the Asian Congress of Storytellers. Full–houses of adults and children gave all of us a standing ovation. As a result, I hosted and co–ordinated the Showcases from 2004 – 06. Through the Festival I’ve been privileged to tell alongside Margaret Read MacDonald, Dianne Ferlatte, Dan Yashinsky, Karen Tovell, Fran Stallings, Linda Fang, Antonio Rocha, Cat Weatherill, Cassandra Wye, Daniel Morden and many other exceptional tellers.

Most of my work is in primary and secondary schools, but I also tell in libraries, parks, at community functions and occasionally, corporate events.

I am proud to be the current President of the Storytelling Association (Singapore) which was set up in 2006 to promote the art of oral telling.

Other highlights:

• A guest at storytelling Festivals in Perth, Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong where I told alongside Karen Tovell (2005) Cathy Spagnoli and Richard Martin, (2006) and Margaret Read MacDonald (2007.)
• I’ve dramatised several Asian folktales which have toured schools as part of the National Arts Council Arts Education Programme.
• founded Story Caravan, sharing free monthly sessions in Singapore’s National Parks from 2004–2006;
• with my friend Dennis Tan, a hearing-impaired teacher at the Singapore School for the Deaf, we perform as The See–Hear Storytellers, integrating sign and speech into our tandem tales.
• In 2006 I was appointed as Storytelling Consultant to Pearsons in Hong Kong, where I have also conducted story workshops for both the SAR Government’s kindergarten and Native-English Speaking specialist teachers.
• This year I was 2007 appointed storytelling trainer for the National Library Board.

So how do I tell stories?
My storytelling style draws on my experience:

• In theatre (my production of Wayang Tempest received 8 nominations – including Play of the Year/Best Director – in the 2002 Life! Theatre Awards)
• As a writer : I won the 1995 Singapore Literature Prize for a collection of poetry, From The Belly Of The Carp
• In Improvisational comedy. I am a founding member of The Madhatters Comedy Company, Singapore–s first, funniest, favourite (and I have to admit – only!) professional improv comedy group.