Andy Offutt Irwin: Storyteller Extraordinaire Comes to Weaverville - TribPapers
Arts

Andy Offutt Irwin: Storyteller Extraordinaire Comes to Weaverville

Weaverville – Get ready for a night of laughter and heartwarming stories with celebrated storyteller Andy Offutt Irwin on Thursday, March 13th, at 7:00 PM at the Weaverville Community Center. Known for his silly putty voice, captivating mouth noises, and larger-than-life characters, Andy blends comedy with heart, drawing audiences in with his mischievous schoolboy charm, reminiscent of the Marx Brothers mixed with a Southern balladeer twist. His performances are filled with humor and humanity, leaving a lasting impact on all who attend.

Meet Marguerite Van Camp

A highlight of Andy’s storytelling repertoire is the unforgettable character of Marguerite Van Camp, an eighty-five-year-old widow and newly minted physician. Marguerite refuses to succumb to curmudgeonship, instead choosing to embrace life, love, and personal growth—even at her advanced age. Through her eyes, Andy offers a unique perspective on the changing world of the New South while delivering plenty of laughs. Marguerite’s adventures are a central part of Andy’s storytelling, capturing the imagination of audiences with her wit, charm, and determination to stay relevant in a world that is constantly evolving.

A Celebrated Storyteller

Andy’s storytelling prowess has earned him a reputation as one of the top performing storytellers in the country. He has been a Teller-in-Residence at the International Storytelling Center in Jonesborough, Tennessee, for over two decades and has been a Featured Teller at the National Storytelling Festival an impressive eleven times as of 2023. His work extends beyond the stage, as he has also shared his talents in educational settings, making a lasting impact as an arts educator and keynote speaker.

In addition to his performances, Andy has a rich history as an Artist in Residence at Oxford College of Emory University from 1991 to 2007, where he was awarded the Sammy Clark Award for exemplary teaching. He continues to work closely with Emory, providing theater and service projects to the university’s Oxford Campus. For his contributions, Andy is now affectionately known as “Artist in Just Passing Through.”

A Storied Career in the Arts

Andy’s career is nothing short of impressive. Since 1993, he has worked with Young Audiences and the Woodruff Arts Center in Atlanta, creating educational theater programs. His collaboration with the Georgia Council for the Arts as a member of the Touring Artists Roster has allowed him to bring his storytelling to a wider audience. His talents have also earned him a place as a Guest Artist at LaGuardia High School of Art, Music, and Performing Arts in New York and as a Keynote Speaker at the Library of Congress-Virburnum Foundation Conference on Family Literacy.

In 2023, Andy celebrated his eleventh year as a Featured Teller at the National Storytelling Festival. His extensive experience, coupled with his innate ability to connect with audiences, makes Andy Offutt Irwin a truly extraordinary performer who continues to charm and inspire.

Don’t Miss This One-Night Event!

Whether you’re already a fan of Andy’s storytelling or hearing about him for the first time, this concert promises to be a night to remember. Tickets are available for this Thursday, March 13th performance at the Weaverville Community Center, and with Andy’s unique style of storytelling, it’s sure to be an event you won’t want to miss.