Are you looking for excitement? Enthusiasm? Wild rants of singing and dancing?? Or maybe you just like furry puppets! As a former children's librarian, Susie Lord has performed thousands of story times for children and adults. Many have asked if she would bottle her energy and label it for sale, because her story times are non-stop, shear craziness.
The Background Behind the Craziness:
Born in Salem, Massachusetts, Susie displayed her knack for storytelling and acting at a very young age. In second grade she was approached by her music teacher to sing her very first solo in the school play, "Snow White". It was that moment on stage, singing "Bluddle uddle ud um", that she decided that the limelight was for her. In fifth grade she went on to play a tulip in "Alice in Wonderland" and again astonished audiences with her enchanting rendition of "All in the Golden Afternoon."
In middle school, Susie led the vocals in the performance of their version of Up With People, rocking to the tune of "When I'm Sixty-Four", by The Beatles. But it was in high school that she was inspired by her Drama teacher, Mary Parker. Mrs. Parker taught Susie everything she knows. During her 4 years at Salem High, she was a gaurd, in The Wizard of Oz, Chiffon in Little Shop of Horrors, Gladys in The Skin of Our Teeth, Anne in Anne of Green Gables and Sylvia Barrett in Up the Down Staircase.
Susie then went on to college where she put aside her acting talents, to spruce up her artistic side. Ringling School of Art and Design in Sarasota, Florida was her home, and four years later she received her BFA in Illustration, with aspirations of illustrating her own Children's book. However, after college, finding artist's work proved difficult, so she found a job as a page at the Seminole County Public Library in Casselberry, Florida. From there it's history.
Moving up rather fast in the library world, Susie took on 9 toddler story times a week. Trained by the best, she discovered that being a storyteller was her destiny. She appeared on local cable television and was asked time and again to do birthday parties. After 10 years in Florida, it was sad to say good bye, but she now felt it was time to go home.
Susie returned to her hometown of Salem, Massachusetts in 2001 where she has been taking on the world of storytelling all over New England ever since. Available for libraries, schools, daycares, community events and birthday parties...Are you ready for her? Get Silly with Susie!! There is no event too big or small!
Stories consist of Fairy Tales, Folk Tales and silly favorites. Puppets and props, music,and dancing. Energetic and Animated! You will tire from just watching her! Each show is fantastical! Kids and adults will be enthralled!
(Disclaimer: Susie is not and has never claimed to be a puppeteer! Puppets are used merely for VISUALS...which may become obvious as puppets are thrown in the air, thrown toward the audience, or stuffed in brightly colored bags!!)
(Disclaimer for Disclaimer: No puppets are ever harmed during presentation of stories. There has never been a puppet casualty during one of Susie's Shows. Susie is a proud member of PETAP or, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animal Puppets)
(Disclaimer for Disclaimer for Disclaimer: PETAP or People For The Ethical Treatment of Animal Puppets is a made up, fictional organization that does not exist. Yet!)
Program Lengths Available:
One hour Programs
30 minute Programs
Hourly Programs (Fairs, carnivals, etc.)
Discounts are offered for same-day multiple bookings
Holiday Programs:
Along with the good ole' Potpourri programs, these wacky Holiday Programs are also available:
Hokey Halloween (Silly scary stories for the young and light hearted.)
Food, Food, Let's Give Thanks For Food! (Happy Thanksgiving...silly food stories for every tummy!)
Have a Very Silly Christmas! (Christmas is a time for sharing...and giggling:)
Winter Wonderland (Stories about, whatelese? SNOW and the COLD!)
Spring Fever (Hope you're not allergic to silliness!)
Summertime Sillies
School Days/Fall
Got a theme in mind that's not listed? There's a story for everything! So, let Susie know!
Booksellers and Toy stores:
Set up a "Stupendously Silly Storytime" session with
Susie Magoozy! Your favorite books come to life with puppets, props and board stories all intertwining with singing, dancing and fingerplays. Maybe you're highlighting a certain book or theme? Susie has mastered the art of storytime magic, so fear not. There is no theme too big or too small, too hot or too cold, too wet or too dry, too buggy or too furry! 30 min. Toddler sessions and 45 min. Preschool sessions available. Blocks of four weeks.
Recent Performances
Susie Magoozy has gotten silly with these libraries: Parlin Memorial Public Library-Everett, Ma, Bedford Free Library-Ma, Leicester Public Library- Ma, Millbury Public Library- Ma, Holbrook Public Library- Ma, Southworth Public Library-Dartmouth, Ma, Leominster Public Library- Ma, Malden Public Library- Ma, Amesbury Public Library-Ma, Hazen Memorial Library-Shirley, Ma, Norfolk Public Library- Ma, Pembroke Public Library-Ma, Thomas Crane Public Library-Quincy, Ma, Westwood Public Library-Ma, Franklin Public Library, Ma-Rowley Public Library- Ma, Salisbury Public Library- Ma, Newburyport Public Library-Ma, Salem Public Library-Ma, Medfield Public Library- Ma, Revere Public Library- Ma. Abbot Public Library-Marblehead, Ma, Swampscott Public Library-Ma, Southborough Public Library- Ma, Wilmington Memorial Library-Ma Stoughton Public Library-Ma, Marlborough Public Library-Ma, Billerica Public Library -Ma, Sawyer Free Library-Gloucester, Ma, Groton Public Library- Ma, Hooksett Public Library (NH) Leach Library, Londonderry, NH St. Albans Free Library (Vermont) Milton Public Library (Vermont) Flower Memorial Library(Watertown, NY) Croghan Free Library (NY) Meriden Public Library, (CT) Seminole County Public Library (Florida) St. Lucie County Library System (Florida)
Susie Magoozy has gotten silly with these Schools and Day Cares: Busy Bee Nursery-Lynn, The Breen School-Lawrence, Children's Montessori-Danvers, Old Colony YMCA- Brockton, Early Discoveries-Danvers, Saugus Learning and Discovery Center-Saugus, Malden Early Education, Happy Day Child Care-Revere, Great Beginnings Learning School-Danvers, Kinder Care Learning School -Salem & Woburn, Mulberry Child Care -Wakefield, Canton, Westwood, Boston,Young World Daycare-Salem, Kids Connection- Hamilton, Harbor Light Nursery-Beverly, Harborlight Montessori School- Beverly, Manchester Athletic Club, Summer Camp, Little Treasures School-Reading, Building Blocks- Acton, Lil' Sprouts of Essex, Kids-A-Lot-Stow, Garfield Magnet School-Revere, Paul Revere School-Revere,Bently Elementary-Salem, Kelley Elementary-Newburyport, Ma. JCC Kindercamp-Marblehead, Seacoast Academy, NH, Maplewood Country Day Care, S. Easton, Ma-North Orange Headstart, Orange, Ma-
As well as Exciting Events and Organizations Like:
Mothers & More, YMCA Lawrence Camp Otter in Salem, NH, Yankee Homecoming Family Day in Newburyport Community Partnership for Children-Danvers, Beverly, Medfield Parks & Recreation, L.Knife & Son-Kingston, Beverly Child Develpoment Center, Watertown Mall, Tatnuck Bookseller Cafe- Westborough, Essex Street Fair,-Salem, Shrewsbury Community Partnership for Children, Peabody Community Partnership for Children, Brujitos Play Cafe-Salem, New Haven Childrens Hospital-CT, The Connecticut Renaissance Faire, Babies R Us-Nashua, NH, Whole Foods- Swampscott, Rockport Police Association-Rockport, Seven Hills At Groton, North Shore Childrens Museum-Salem, Berkshire Museum-Pittsfield, North Shore Moms Playgroup
And let's not forget...Birthday Parties all over New England ;)
Check out Braintree Patch for a cute article about Susie's visit to the library!
What's In A Name?
One question that Susie often gets: Is Susie Magoozy your REAL name?
The answer is no. Truth is, when she was little, her Dad used to call her Susie Magoozy just to be silly. Whenever he said it he would use a cartoony high pitched voice that would make Susie giggle. If she walked into a room you could bet he would call out "HEY! Susie Magooooooozy!" And she would just fall into laughter. After awhile, her Mom got in on the action, too! So, I guess the name sort of stuck. Susie Magoozy was born...
After losing her parents back in 2000, Susie thought it would be a nice way to honor them by using Susie Magoozy as her performing name. Plus, it IS silly and very fun to say! Whenever she hears someone say it, she still gets that little tinge of laughter in her tummy! So, if you see Susie, be sure to call out her name nice and loud! :)
If your interest has been piqued and you're still thinking "So, just WHO IS this Susie-Chick?!", don't be shy! (Susie's not!) Give her a ringy dingy on the phone or E-mail her at Susiemagoozy@aol.com
She'd love to hear from you!
A Little More About Susie Lord:
Susie's inspiration comes from her comedic idols, Carol Burnett & Kristin Chenowith, among anything Muppet related. Recently she has ventured out toward the stage with the Neverland Theatre (www.neverlandtheatre.com) where she has met some very talented people and great friends. When she's not performing, she's usually with her pals helping out at the Salem Public Library where she works part-time.