Master the art of live storytelling: 6-week beginner's course

Everyone has a story to tell.
The challenge is knowing how to tell it.

In this dynamic, multi-session workshop for adults, you’ll learn how to shape personal experiences into compelling stories—and share them in a way that truly connects with an audience.

What is storytelling?

Storytelling is the age-old art of sharing stories live—without reading from a page. It’s spontaneous, expressive, and often playful. A story might be carefully crafted or loosely improvised, grounded in truth or enhanced with a touch of theatrical flair.

Across cultures, storytelling has always been a way to entertain, teach, preserve history, and pass on meaning. If you’re curious about the style explored in this workshop, you might recognise it in performances by Mike Birbiglia or platforms like The Moth.

What to expect

This workshop is hands-on, interactive, and supportive. Over the course of the programme, you will:

Learn how to retell an existing story in your own voice
Discover and develop a personal story worth sharing
Identify the message at the heart of your narrative
Build confidence in telling stories aloud

There will be writing exercises, group activities, and playful storytelling games designed to help you grow step by step.

What this workshop is not

It’s not about reading written texts aloud
It’s not a therapy session—though we will thoughtfully explore personal experiences as creative material

What to bring

Just bring a notebook and pen—and an open mind.
You don’t need to arrive with a story; I’ll help you find one.

Schedule

This 5-week workshop unfolds over six evenings:

Monday 1 June, 19:00–21:00
Monday 8 June, 19:00–21:00
Monday 15 June, 19:00–21:00
Monday 22 June, 19:00–21:00
Monday 29 June, 19:00–21:00
Monday 6 July, 19:00–21:00 — Showcase evening

Each session builds on the last, so attending all sessions—especially the first five—is strongly recommended.

The final evening offers a chance to share your story with the group in a relaxed and supportive setting (participation is always optional).

Practical details

Tea and coffee are included
You’re welcome to bring your own food
Short refreshment breaks will be provided
Places are limited, so advance registration is required

Level 2 Storytelling Workshop in English: new dates TBC

Already completed Level 1? Ready to take your storytelling to the next level?

This advanced, 2-day workshop is designed for storytellers who want to refine and elevate their craft, deepening emotional impact, exploring subtlety, and mastering the art of resonance.

Across two immersive days, you’ll work with your own stories to:

Strengthen your emotional arc: build tension and release for greater impact
Explore subtext and silence: say more by saying less
Craft powerful hooks and payoffs: open and close your stories with purpose
Weave in symbolism and imagery: add depth and emotional texture.

Through guided exercises, feedback, and performance practice, you’ll learn to make deliberate artistic choices that move your audience on a deeper level.

Whether you tell stories on stage, in the classroom, or in everyday life, this workshop will help you find the emotional heartbeat of your storytelling voice.

Who it’s for: Participants who have completed Level 1 or have prior storytelling experience.

Duration: 2 days
Language: English

When is it?

The 2-day workshop takes place on the following dates:

15:00-19:00 on Saturday 10 January
11:00-17:00 on Sunday 11 January

To get the most out of the workshop, I strongly recommend participants attend both sessions.

On the last day, there will be a chance for everyone to tell their own story in front of the group, if they feel comfortable.

Included in the participation fee is tea and coffee. You may also bring your own food and there will be refreshment breaks over the three days.

Because of space limitations, advance registration is compulsory.

What is storytelling?

Storytelling is the social and cultural activity of sharing stories, sometimes with improvisation, theatrics, or embellishment. Every culture has its own stories or narratives, which are shared as a means of entertainment, education, cultural preservation or instilling moral values. If you're new to storytelling, I recommend checking out Mike Birbiglia and The Moth Hour on Youtube to understand our definition of live storytelling.

What is storytelling not?

For this workshop, we will not be reading written texts aloud although the workshop does involve writing.
Storytelling in this workshop is not a kind of therapy, although we will be examining our personal narratives to extract authentic stories for sharing.

What should I bring with me?

Please bring a notebook, pen, and a personal story that you want to develop further.

There will also be plenty of games and group work, so it is essential that participants can attend both sessions.

This workshop is organised and taught by Jess Bauldry with the generous support of Cid Fraen an Gender.

Storytelling Circles

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Everyone has a story in them. But telling it in front of a room full of strangers, that can sometimes feel intimidating.

That's why I want to invite you to this friendly storytelling circle.

What is a storytelling circle?

This is an opportunity to share a story of something that happened to you and get immediate feedback from supportive, like-minded people.
The only rules about the storytelling circle are:

the story has to be yours to tell;
it should come from the scar rather than the open wound. This means if it still brings up bad feelings, maybe it's not ready to be told.
it should not be defamatory, incite racial hatred or support any kind of hate speech.

You don't have to bring a story. Maybe you'd just like to come along and see what it's all about. You are very welcome to do that. In fact, the more the merrier.

A small participation fee is charged to cover tea, coffee and treats as well as a donation to the women's library.

What is storytelling?

Storytelling is the social and cultural activity of sharing stories, sometimes with improvisation, theatrics, or embellishment. Every culture has its own stories or narratives, which are shared as a means of entertainment, education, cultural preservation or instilling moral values. If you're new to storytelling, I recommend checking out Mike Birbiglia and The Moth Hour on Youtube.

Where and when?

New dates TBC