StoryFest 2025 - Workshops
90-minute intensive workshop
There is a fee for this 90-minute intensive workshop. LINK TO REGISTER AND PAY
10:30-12:00
Playful Creativity: Breaking Blocks, Deepening Telling, Fooling Your Insecurities led by Laura Packer
“The creation of something new is not accomplished by intellect but by...play” (Carl Jung). We work hard on our stories, sometimes getting blocked or frustrated. Through play we move beyond boundaries, learn new things about character, plot, technique and ourselves. Expect to stretch your creative boundaries with improv, games, creativity exercises and more. Participants will learn several new creativity techniques applied to storytelling and will leave with the seeds of a new tale.
Laura Packer knows the best way to truth is through a good story; she has told, taught, ranted, raved, coached, consulted, and considered storytelling for over 30 years. She loves how stories connect people and help us dream bigger. Laura has won many awards including the National Storytelling Network’s Circle of Excellence. Laura holds a degree in folklore and mythology and is the author of From Audience to Zeal: The ABCs of Finding, Crafting, and Telling a Great Story, winner of Storytelling World’s highest honors. Find out more at laurapacker.com and patreon.com/laurapacker.
REGISTRATION AND PAYMENT REQUIRED FOR THIS 90-MINUTE INTENSIVE WORKSHOP.
$30 SAM member
$35 general public
$ student
LINK to REGISTER & PAY
Free Workshops
11:15-12:10
Improvise Your Way to Better Storytelling
led by Kate Button
This workshop, open to all ages, is part of the Youth Track.
This will be an active, participatory workshop. We will play improv games and stretch our comfort zones. Join us for fun and laughter as we blend techniques from both art forms.
Hi, I'm Kate Button. I've been improvising for over 11 years now. I continue to study/practice because there is always more to learn. I have performed at HUGE Theater, Strike Theater, Phoenix Theater, as well as at various festivals. I have been doing storytelling for a couple of years now. I will bring the two art forms together to increase spontaneity and confidence in your storytelling skills. I told a story at last year's festival about my time working on the railroad. I hope to broaden the perspectives of all who join me.
11:30 - 12:30
Personal Narrative, Culture and Myth led by Jim May
This workshop will encourage participants to examine their own personal and family experinces as sources for stories. As these memories are recounted, in the presence of the group's attention, stories emerge. Often those recalling these stories become aware of a profound sense of integration, understanding and pride in their family and culture, despite past histories that may range from imperfect to tragic. Additionally, each person's life stories can be seen in relationahip to myth--the great traditional stories from a variety of cultures. In a sense these traditonal myths can be seen as the combined experiences, dreams and imaginings of the human race transmitted through the ages, by the oral tradition. Our life stories, when seen through the prism of these myths and spiritual parables, take on new meaning that can guide and enlighten. Stories retrieved and crafted through this process can be characterized by an originality and power representing the very best of artistic expression.Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Jim May is an EMMY Award-winning storyteller and author. He has made his living full time telling stories and leading workshops and presenting at training venues for (38) yrs. He has presented storytelling workshops to storytelling groups and at festivlas throughout the US, Canada, Great Britain, Ireland and Mexico (an annual one-week retreat in Oaxaca de Juarez). His collections of stories have won national book awards from the American Public Library Association and the Anne Izard "Best Book" committee. He lives in Harvard, Illinois in an 1850's circa Wisconsin built dairy barn with his wife Nan and his cats Freddy and Frieda.
1:15-2:10
TITLE? led by Danielle Daniel
This workshop, open to all ages, is part of the Youth Track.
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1:30-2:25
Storytelling in Business and Organizational Culture led by Loren Niemi
Stories are essential to human culture. They are the fundamental organizing principle for human beings to communicate identity and values. Stories live in every business and organization. When they are acknowledged and given a structured place within the culture they can inspire leadership, build teams and bond, share vision, mission and values or heal wounds. When they are not acknowledged they appear as rumor and fear, preventing effective communication from taking place. This workshop is about what core stories are in business and organizational culture and how to positively tell them.
Born in Hibbing, MN and raised successively in Albuquerque, NM, Buffalo, NY and the Twin Cities, Loren Niemi began as a child fibber but soon realized he was less interested in lying than in improving the truth. He is still at it, as a poet, author and innovative storyteller whose work includes a 2020 Midwest Book Award winning short story collection, “What Haunts Us”, a poetic memoir, “A Breviary for the Lost” and a novel of romance and misadventure “Circus Rex”. In 2020, he founded the American School of Storytelling providing online an in-person classes and performances.
2:40 - 3:40
The Power C’s: Character, Conflict, Conclusion led by Errol McLendon
The key to engaging stories can be discovered by watching people listen to stories. When are they most engaged? When they are introduced to three-dimensional people they can either love or hate. When the going gets tough. When they are left with a powerful final image. Through a series of fun activities participants will explore The Power C’s that will capture and hold the listener from beginning to end.
Errol McLendon’s stories, workshops and solo shows have been presented in Kansas City, St. Louis, Dallas, Houston, Indianapolis, Atlanta and Orlando. Errol is a two-time Moth winner. He runs a storytelling show, an open mic and a drop-in workshop in the Chicago area.