Kijana Wiseman, as... (gre o'; gre' o) noun. Plural: Griots 1. The world's first educators, historians, journalists, orators and singing storytellers.   2. A member of a heredity cast among the peoples of West Africa whose main function is to keep and oral history of the tribe.   3. A one-woman interactive edutainment program with slides, music, characterizations and costume changes... b. An informative audience edutainer who sings in seven languages while celebrating the diversity of the human experience.   ...4. An audience participatory adventure performed by Kijana Wiseman, M.Ed.		Photo: Tampa Tribune
As "The Griot," Kijana becomes different characters on stage--using songs, stories, slides*, comedy, characterizations, costume changes, her 3.5 octaves and audience participation to entertain and educate. First, she unifies by making us one people (again) --"just with many different, lovely paint jobs!" while teaching us a South African "Xhosa" (click) song for a wedding we'll be attending. Then...we're off! "...It's part singing, part acting, part history lecture, part slide show...all mixed up with a major helping of audience participation." -Paul Bourgeois, Ft. Worth Star Telegram.   Kijana takes the audience on a time trip back to the dawn of existence while portraying many different types of women in history ­becoming an African maiden, gospel choir director, slave, preacher, toddler, operatic, vaudeville and jazz singer--celebrating our common human heritage.		Photo: St. Mary Photography

Photo: Al McEwing		"I thought you were a REAL African!"   -Sharonda L., Watertown NY   Audiences participate as her "Griot Chorus," changing identity with her each time she changes character...learning so much more than just music.         "Charismatic, yes. Gifted, unquestionably. Full of so much energy it rolls off her in waves...leaves participants with a sense that people are more alike than different." -Andrea Johnson, Minot Daily News, Minot State University, Minot ND
"We leave laughing, exhausted...and much more tolerant of others."     "I've never seen the likes of Kijana before, nor do I feel I will find the uniqueness of THE GRIOT ever again." -Texas Christian University Student Activities Director in National Programming Magazine		Photo: Tampa Tribune   *Slides used as backdrop in THE GRIOT are courtesy of the Black Heritage Gallery
Photo: St. Mary Photography		GRIOT PROGRAM SPECS: Adaptable, 30-90 minutes. Appropriate for all ages and customizable for various themes and needs. This program is especially perfect for Banquets, Conferences, Educational Programs, Black History, Women's Month, Juneteenth, Festivals, International Events & Kwanzaa. A slide projector is needed if The Griot's multi-media slide presentation is to be part of your program. Call 1-800-546-0540 for more information, a custom quote and demo tape! Standing ovations, evaluation reports of "Excellent" & "Outstanding," in numerous reviews and repeat performances are common for Kijana's presentations. Articles, reviews and sponsor evaluations are available.   Reviews, Comments & Photos from Live Performances