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Celes Tisdales

Dr. Celes Tisdale is Professor Emeritus (English) at SUNY Buffalo and a recipient of a SUNY Chancellor' s Award for Teaching Excellence. He also received the Buffalo "Man of the Year" Award, and Buffalo and Erie County Arts Council Artist of the Year. He has also been acknowledged by Young Audiences of WNY with an Outstanding Artist Award.

Tisdale is a professional actor, a published poet, a national and international storyteller, and a lecturer on the arts and culture. Tisdale taught in the Buffalo Public School System, as well as a creative writing program at Attica State Prison. He has published an anthology, Betcha Ain' t: Poems from Attica as well as We Be Poetin,' We the People. He served as the executive director of the African American Cultural Center of Buffalo, and it was during his tenure that he named the institute' s theater after Paul Robeson. Tisdale is married; the father of five and grandfather of eleven. He was born in South Carolina, as the oldest of six children, and grew up mostly on Buffalo' s East Side.

Art Forms:
Literary

Programs

From Africa to America add to wish list

A poetic performance and historical overview of the African and African-American experience. The artist presents literature from ancient Africa as well as modern poetry.

Grade Level:
Pre K-12
Performance cost (single):
$430.00
Performance cost (back to back):
$590.00

Yet Do I Marvel add to wish list

Celes Tisdale holds his audience spellbound with a fanciful collection of stories and poems presented in the oral tradition. He emphasizes the commonality of the human experience in cultures around the world.

Grade Level:
Pre K-12
Performance cost (single):
$430.00
Performance cost (back to back):
$590.00

Folklore Workshop add to wish list

Encourage diversity with this presentation of world stories and poems which help students accept and appreciate differing ethnic backgrounds.

Grade Level:
Pre K-12
Workshop cost (back to back):
$184.00

Poetry & Storytelling Workshop add to wish list

Explore the oral storytelling tradition through both traditional works, and pieces written by the artist. As an actor, Celes Tisdale makes poetry come alive for students while encouraging their own self-expression.

Grade Level:
Pre K-12
Workshop cost (back to back):
$184.00