Humorist and folklorist Donna Ingham takes the ancient art of storytelling and gives it a Texas twist to entertain audiences of all ages. Hear tall tales, folklore, historical and personal stories told only as a Texan could.

Donna has appeared at festivals and conferences throughout the United States and even swapped a yarn or two in Ireland. A published author and former college professor with a Ph.D. in English, she also offers workshops, master classes, and training sessions as well as programs for elementary and secondary schools.

Donna’s reputation as a humorist makes her a popular luncheon and after-dinner speaker and presenter of special programs and keynotes.

Named the Biggest Liar in Austin, Texas, seven times and the Biggest Liar in Texas four times, Donna is also a recipient of the John Henry Faulk Award for “outstanding contributions to the art of storytelling” and a National Storytelling Oracle Regional Excellence Award for “exceptional commitment and exemplary contributions to the art of storytelling.”

Donna is listed on the Texas Touring Roster of the Texas Commission on the Arts and on the Mid-America Arts Alliance Regional Touring Program.

Spring 2026

“Spring is nature’s way of saying, ‘Let’s Party.’” –Robin Williams–

Spring is a time of festivals and conferences and general celebrations in Texas. The Texas Storytelling Festival in March has come and gone, and it was a good one. I got to present my “Come to Your Senses” workshop there and emcee the Texas Folklore Society “Gather Round” concert. Next up in April is the 107th meeting of the Texas Folklore Society in San Marcos where I’ll be a session chair and swap yarns at the nightly hootenannies. Then in early June the Texas Storytelling Association Summer Conference will be virtual with my contribution being a workshop on the business of storytelling. In between time will be planning for Summer Reading Programs and monthly storytelling and poetry sessions at First Friday gatherings in Bertram, coffee house style, at Gathering Grounds. Here at Chickenbach on the 22 acres we are looking forward to the annual Clucko-de-Mayo event on May 2, complete with mariachis and maybe a pinata or two. Let’s party, indeed.

After a visit from our Irish friend Liz Weir in mid-March, I’m reminded of the rich heritage of folktales – world folktales and Texas folktales – and plan to resume collecting them to tell. My first book, Tales with a Texas Twist, now in its second edition, contains stories ranging from Texanized Greek myths to tales about legendary Texas settlers, Native Americans, Mexicans, and African Americans; as well as ghost stories, tall tales, and outlaw and hero legends. As reviewer Jo Radner said, they “are all here.” But not all, of course, not by a long shot. Time to add to the number!

A May deadline of importance to Texas schools, libraries, and other non-profits is the quarterly Texas Commission on the Arts deadline for Arts Respond Performance Support Grant applications. Those applications are due by May 1 to be considered for activities occurring between June 15 and August 31, 2026. Details and a list of artists on the TCA Texas Touring Roster are available on the TCA website: arts.texas.gov.