NEST Educator - Steve Daut

About Steve:  Steve Daut has been telling stories in various forms ever since the dog ate his homework. He has been performing in various venues for over 35 years. Onstage credits include magic, sketch and stand-up comedy, improvisation, storytelling, and MC work. Writing credits include produced plays, various articles, an early book of short stories and a recent non-fiction book titled Buddha Science.

Steve is trained and experienced as a scientist and he also has worked in the non-profit sector. He is a member of the National Storytelling Network and president of the Ann Arbor Storytellers Guild.  He is a graduate of the Second City and the Purple Rose Theatre Actor-Director Lab. Currently, he is devoted full time to writing and storytelling. Personal pursuits include pickleball, golf, and throwing a flying disk for his incessantly insistent dog, Rose.

Steve has led discussion groups and conducted training sessions in a wide variety of situations, from technical lectures to governmental organizations, to college-level coursework at Southern Michigan prison.  He has helped to facilitate community sessions, and has presented day-long storytelling retreats as well as shorter storytelling workshops.

Steve’s versatile, improvisational storytelling style is engaging for a wide variety of audiences. A typical show for adults includes personal stories from heartwarming to hilarious, some bits of humorous history, and perhaps a Mark Twain story or two. He brings quirky characters to stage, often finding wisdom in the most unlikely places. His shows for younger children involve traditional folk tales, a lot of interaction, and a touch of magic.