Bio

Three decades of fieldwork as an arts educator, performer, and theatre director, earned Diane Postoian an Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts in 2006. In addition, Diane has received nationwide funding from the Starbucks Foundation, the Verizon Foundation, the June Rockwell Levy Foundation, the Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation, the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts, the New York Department of Cultural Affairs, the MetLife Foundation, and the TJX Foundation for her innovative use of storytelling in K-6th grade education. As executive Director of Looking Glass Theatre in Providence, she was known for working with NYC literary agents, acquiring permission to script dozens of children's novels for the stage. Diane has made people her business for 30 years. Her boundless energy is fueled by her strong commitment to advocate for the preservation of the creative spirit and sense of purpose it brings to children and adults. “I didn’t choose the job of entertaining,” says Diane. “It chose me.”

I’ve spent most of my adult life working with people as an independent teaching artist, performer and humorist. I was raised in a culture that not only respects elders, but also values their stories and contributions to our society. As a professional storyteller and experienced writer, I thrive on spending time listening to older adults and recreating their stories or engaging them to tell their own stories. When my mother became diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, she became my teacher and inspiration. Her sense of humor was 100% intact, so our time together often produced endless comedic stories. My humor is in direct response to what I hear so my response is spontaneous. Recently, in a senior center, I told a 100 year- old woman how fabulous she looked. She leaned into me and whispered, “I’m older than sin.” I replied, “If you’re OLDER than sin, you must have quite a reputation.” It was great to see her gut laugh. As I age, I refuse to be thought of as a member of a silent majority or categorized as someone less vibrant. Our histories hold power and reflection. They are filled with experiences of paths we have travelled by choice, by necessity or by accident, and without a doubt, they are meant to be heard. I particularly enjoy paring adolescents with older adults, as an unleashed communicative energy always seems to bridge the age difference establishing an unexpected bond and respect.