Jonathan's Own Story
More About Jonathan
Background
Jonathan graduated from Holy Cross College, Worcester MA, with a degree in English, without career plans. He worked as a camp counselor, shoe clerk, and Union mason tender. After he drove Volkswagen beetle cross-country, he served as Henry Kissinger's office plant waterer. A few years later, he traveled to London and studied educational theater. He earned a Masters degree in Education at New York University. Jonathan performed urban ritual theater with "Gabrielle Roth and the Mirrors." But it was He-Who-Stands-Firm, the indefatigable folklorist who booked Jonathan for his first professional storytelling performance: "The Magic Tour in Tales of Elfin Lands" at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation, in 1981.
Competing with the likes of Silly Billy, Professor Putter and Marcia the Musical Moose, Jonathan the Storyteller did one thousand shows in the niggling New York City children’s party market. This trial by birthday candle fire gave way to a ten year role as Storyteller in Residence for Freeport Schools, Long Island.
Versatile and flexible, Jonathan learned from his audiences and followed school curriculums to create these programs: Finger Fables for Squiggly Squirmers, Faerie Tale Theater, New York's Local Lore, Medieval Manners & Manors, True Myth, Stories for Holidays, Story Maker's Workshops, and Tall Tales with Urban Legends.
A few years ago, Jonathan collaborated with his kid brother again to establish Shakespeare is Elementary, which he now presents with his wife Andrea Sadler.
Jonathan has appeared on P.B.S., The Travel and History Channels. The New York State Teachers of Reading Association had him twice give keynote performances. He also keynoted for the National Native Plants Gathering, and the Archdiocese of New York. He made up tales to compliment an exhibit of way-out techno-art at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido. He entertained families at the Huntington Renaissiance Faire, Tribeca Film Festival, and Beacon's DIA Museum opening celebration.
Kruk became Historic Hudson Valley’s "Legend of Sleepy Hollow Storyteller" in 1996. He’s been giving ten week residencies on New York Lore for Early Stages, Inc in Queens schools since 2000. A BOCES approved artist educator, since 1985 he visits countless schools annually.
Current Work
His calendar, already filling up with a myriad of one day school programs, Jonathan has several residencies: The New York Lore program, created through Early Stages, at Queens 203, and 178. And Scarsdale Kindergartners have Jonathan’s storytelling to initiate creative writing. In May "Troubadour Jonathan" visits hundreds of sixth graders to guide them through the Middle Ages. Kruk will appear at many festivals including, Sinterklass Day in Rhinebeck, the Eagle Fest in Croton on Hudson, NY and at a French and Indian War event along the St. Lawrence River.
He’s hard at work on new CDs with Berger Platters, Inc. Rip Van Winkle comes out in December, followed by "Once Upon a River- Stories and Songs for the Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadriecentennial" with Rich Bala. Plus, many more are planned.
He’s pursuing a book project of Hudson River faerie tales.
Kruk continues to enchant entertain and educate at schools libraries, historic sites, festivals fund raisers and even the occasional birthday parties.
Jonathan lives with his wife, film-maker/actress Andrea Sadler and his daughter in a lake cottage in Cold Spring on Hudson. There he bikes about the Hudson Highlands, gardens, practices yoga, and collects old bricks. Kruk serves on the board of the Desmond /Fish Library, volunteers for the Boy Scouts and is Past President of the Cold Spring Area Chamber of Commerce.