Award-winning storyteller Diane Ladley loo-ves them! It's the only kind of story she tells, which is why she's known coast-to-coast as "America's Ghost Storyteller!"
Since 1992 Diane has shivered spines and tickled funnybones with an amazing repertoire of ghost stories, songs and poems, from giggly G-rated ghost stories for children, to hair-raising R-rated ghost stories for the bravest adults! (she even has a funny X-rated ghost story!)
Diane weaves ghost stories with a dramatic flair that enrapts her audiences under a spell of delicious fright ... and laughter!
Meet Diane Ladley,
"America's Ghost Storyteller"
. . . And Naperville's Ghost Lady,
the foremost authority on her hometown's haunted history.
"Ladley can plunge an imaginary knife into the body of another person with convincing skill. Her voice would be the envy of an old-time radio sound effects man. One easily can imagine a door opening, or the wind blowing through the window."
Mark Foster, Reporter,
Kane County Chronicle, Monday, March 17, 2003
GHOSTLY SCREAMS OF DELIGHT
for Diane Ladley,
"America's Ghost Storyteller!
GHOSTLY SCREAMS OF DELIGHT
for Diane Ladley,
"America's Ghost Storyteller!
"The characters told about to us were all memorable, and that was because of you!!!
Thank you for a wonderful night of stories and mystery. Erin had the best time of her
life. She couldn't stop talking about the evening all the way home! Thank you so much
and we'll see you again. -C. Nielsen, Ghost Tour Guest
"Thank you so much for the excellent performance on October 21st.
Everyone, including the staff, had a great time. I had several calls the next day
from parents telling me how much they and their children enjoyed your stories!
The CD we purchased hasn't been on the shelf since we put it out!
It's a pretty hot item right now. Your stories were perfect for the
family atmosphere we had that evening. Not too tame and also not too scary!
I will certainly recommend you to my colleagues at our next meeting.
We all truly appreciate a professional such as you - organized, polite,
prompt, friendly, and extremely talented. You make our jobs much easier!"
Connie Beetz, Children's Librarian, Graves-Hume Public Library
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS AND AWARDS
Winner of a 2003 Storytelling World Honor Award for Best Story of the Year for Adolescents. Her winning tale, "The Liver," can be heard on her storytelling CD, "LATE NIGHT FRIGHT",available for purchase in our Shop 'Til You DropHalloween gift shop store!
Awarded The State of Illinois Arts Council ARTSTOUR ARTIST designation, 2001/2003 & 2003/2005.
Named the Area Field Rep, Far West Chicago Suburbs for the American Ghost Society, by founder Troy Taylor.
Thirteen-time director for "Ghost Stories in the Park ... In the Dark", an annual storytelling event sponsored by The Summer Place Theatre and the Naperville Park District.
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
National Storytelling Network
Northlands Storytelling Network
Fox Valley Storytelling Guild
Illinois Storytelling Festival Supporter
American Ghost Society
RECORDINGS & PUBLISHED WORKS
"HAUNTED NAPERVILLE" by Arcadia Publishing, available Sept. 2009.
"LATE NIGHT FRIGHT" Tales of Supernatural Terror and Macabre Mirth" Compact Disk, Rated PG-13
Contributing author to "Telling Stories to Children", published by the National Storytelling Network, Jonesborough, TN
"The Spooky Origins of Halloween" online reference article for Collectibles Today.com
"Catch the Halloween Spirit with Ghost Stories!" online reference article for Collectibles Today.com
NOTABLE STORYTELLING PERFORMANCE VENUES
Duckon Sci-Fi & Horror Convention Performer and Panelist, June 2009
Civil War Days Featured Artist, Murphysburo, IL
National Storytelling Network Conference, two-time Workshop Presenter on the topic, "Balancing Fright With Delight". Bellingham, WA.
National Storytelling Network Conference Regional Concert Performer. Chicago, IL.
World Horror Convention Performer and Guest Panelist, Chicago, IL.
Fox Valley Folk Music & Storytelling Festival - Geneva, IL.
AND FOUNDER OF HISTORIC GHOST TOURS OF NAPERVILLE! (formerly known as Naperville Ghost Tours, Inc., est. 2004)
"I think the reason I liked it so much was because she was holding you on a string.
I wanted to know what came next,
and she was enthusiastic."
Allie, 7th Grade, Barrington Middle School
"What a great show! Your performance had the audience spellbound. Your glow-in-the-dark ghost earrings were a big hit when the lights were turned off. Stories varied for all ages, and before beginning the last story, you told parents it would be rated PG-13 so younger children might want to leave. Some did leave, but those who stayed were thrilled! Thank you for a wonderful Halloween program."
Mary A. Buchanan, Children's Program Coord., Fountaindale Public Library
"I wanted to let you know that I was very impressed with your show on October 24, you were fantastic! I think the participants enjoyed you as well. I really liked how you got the audience involved."
Lori Johnson,
Batavia Park District
"Wow, this ghost tour is AWESOME!"
--Ghost Guest 10/12/07
Diane Ladley's Naperville ghost tour was featured at the CHICAGO GHOST CONFERENCE 2007. Watch this exclusive video they filmed for a special presentation at the conference, with a shout out to the "Ghost Tails Dog Walk & Ghost Tour," Diane's one-of-a-kind ghost walk!
TM/SM
"I've been on ghost tours in Gettysburg, New Orleans, Savannah...
but oh man, this was the BEST GHOST TOUR I'VE EVER BEEN ON!"
--Bruce Cline, C.P.I., Little Egypt Ghost Society 10/2/09
Buy a personally-signed, first edition of Diane's new book,
"HAUNTED NAPERVILLE"
by Arcadia Publishing.
Over 70 photographs, high quality paper, great gift idea!
