Learn from our Featured Tellers.
Check out the Schedule of Events for date and time.
Gene Tagaban
Storytellers’ Journey: Our Life Is a Story
We are the tellers of personal and historical stories, legends or mythic stories, cultural or tradition stories, but often we have barriers that stop us from telling the story. How do we recognize and move past these barriers in a good way.
Kelly Swanson
From Funny to Meaningful: Layering Heart Into Humor
Anyone can get a laugh. The magic is making it matter. Learn how to weave humor with emotional depth so your stories don’t just entertain—they stay with people long after you’ve finished telling them.
Motoko
Embody! Physical Eloquence for Storytellers
Movement and gesture serve not only performance but also the creation and analysis of narrative. In this workshop, Motoko guides participants through embodied practices that deepen kinesthetic awareness and expand expressive range. Through structured exploration, participants examine connections between physical experience, character, and theme. Open to all levels and abilities, this workshop offers an inclusive, practice-based approach to storytelling.
Andy Russell
Finding the Heart of Your Story
An exploration of techniques for finding, shaping and telling the stories in your life that matter- to you. We all have been shaped by our life experiences, good and bad. Storytelling can deepen our understanding of these experiences, and help us discover the wisdom we have gained as a result.
Gene Tagaban
Story Circle: Questions & Choices
The quality of our questions are equal to the quality of our choices. What questions are you asking yourself, others? What are your questions around storytelling? Let’s have a conversation, and I’ll share my experiences from my Native heritage, storytelling and healing.
Andy Russell
Songwriting for Storytellers
Do you have a story that is crying out for a bit of music? Whether a short repeatable phrase or an entire story set to music, songwriting can be a handy tool- and a lot of fun! Learn basic song structure and techniques for creating impactful lyrics. No experience required!
Motoko
RAKUGO: Comical Tales from Japan
Rakugo, a Japanese comic storytelling tradition, originated in the late 17th century. Award-winning storyteller Motoko brings to life the hilarious and poignant tales about everyday lives of Edo-period Japan (1603-1868), sharing both their historical context and the enduring charm of Rakugo today. Through performance, discussion, and playful hands-on participation, participants will experience the humor, subtlety, and dynamic energy that make Rakugo a beloved Japanese cultural treasure.
Kelly Swanson
The Stories We Inherit—and How to Rewrite Them
We all carry stories that shaped us—some we didn’t choose. In this workshop, explore how personal narrative influences the stories we tell on stage, and how shifting that lens can transform both storyteller and audience.