The conference is designed for storytellers and for professionals who use storytelling in their vocation or avocation—teachers, ministers, counselors, librarians, business leaders, and community educators. Our three-track system (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced) allows participants to select the sessions that best support their goals: whether developing core skills, enhancing classroom or workplace engagement, or refining advanced performance techniques.
Beginner
Track
Session Four
9:00 – 10:00 AM
Personal Storytelling
Presenter: Tony Hardman
Turn life moments into meaningful stories with heart and humor. Excellent for educators, counselors, ministers, and storytellers building authenticity.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify meaningful personal experiences
- Apply frameworks for personal narrative
- Practice telling a short personal story
- Understand how personal stories build empathy
Session Five
10:30 – 11:30 AM
Using Props and Puppets
Presenter: Pam Pipkin
Explore how props and visuals can enrich stories and teaching moments. Add depth, humor, or magic to stories using props as creative teaching tools.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify appropriate props for storytelling.
- Demonstrate integration of props into performance.
- Evaluate effectiveness of props in peer stories.
- Design one story activity using a visual aid.
Session Six
12:00 – 1:00 PM
The Art of Improvisation
Presenter: Lucy Fulls
This interactive workshop teaches storytellers how to think creatively under pressure, use intuition to shape narratives in real time, and transform spontaneous moments into engaging stories. Participants will explore improv games designed to boost creativity, adaptability, and storytelling confidence.
Learning Objectives:
- Learn the fundamentals of improvisation in storytelling.
- Practice thinking creatively under pressure.
- Participate in improv games to spark spontaneity.
- Build skills for adapting stories in real time.
Intermediate
Track
Session Four
9:00 – 10:00 AM
Audience Adaptability
Presenter: Valerie Kimble
Explore ways to engage your audience and encourage interaction. Learn crowd interaction skills to improve classroom management and participation.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify strategies for increasing audience participation,
- Use questioning and interactive elements in stories.
- Practice improvisation based on audience response.
- Adapt storytelling approaches for different audiences.
Session Five
10:30 – 11:30 AM
Seeing in the Darkness: Finding Story, Strength, and Purpose Through Adversity
Presenter: Gladys Morales
In this inspiring and practical workshop, motivational storyteller Gladys Morales shares how personal adversity can be transformed into stories that uplift, heal, and empower audiences. Drawing from her own journey of resilience and identity, Gladys will guide participants in recognizing the lessons hidden within difficult experiences and shaping those moments into narratives that foster courage, clarity, and purpose.
Participants will explore how stories of struggle can become tools for leadership, healing, and connection in classrooms, communities, and professional settings.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify personal experiences of challenge or adversity that can serve as meaningful storytelling material.
- Apply narrative techniques to transform difficult experiences into stories that inspire and motivate audiences.
- Explore strategies for using storytelling to foster resilience, empathy, and personal growth in listeners.
- Develop a short reflective narrative that communicates hope, strength, and purpose.
Session 6
12:00 – 1:00 PM
Workshop Performance & Coaching
Presenter: Hank Roubicek
Bring a story-in-progress and practice giving and receiving clear, constructive feedback. This session builds coaching skills that can be used in storytelling circles, classrooms, and leadership settings.
Learning Objectives:
- Determine what to look for in a story before rendering feedback.
- Evaluate others’ stories using constructive critique.
- Revise performance in response to peer input.
- Apply peer coaching frameworks to teaching or leadership.
Advanced
Track
Session Four
9:00 – 10:00 AM
The Business of Storytelling
Presenter: Donna Ingham
Learn how to transform your storytelling into a sustainable professional practice. Build a brand, identify audiences, and monetize your storytelling skills.
Learning Objectives:
- List the key components of a storytelling business.
- Develop a personal branding plan.
- Identify potential audiences and markets.
- Draft an action plan for monetizing storytelling skills.
Session Five
10:30 – 11:30 AM
African Storytelling & Drum
Presenter: Ronald Carter
Step into the living tradition of African storytelling, where words, rhythm, and community come together. Experience how drumming punctuates and enhances stories, blending rhythm and narrative to connect across generations.
Learning Objectives:
- Explain the cultural and historical significance of African storytelling traditions.
- Demonstrate basic African drumming techniques and integrate them into short narratives.
- Use call-and-response and rhythmic storytelling to enhance audience participation.
- Explore how rhythm and movement deepen emotional connection and engagement.
Session Six
12:00 – 1:00 PM
Storyteller Studio
Presenter: DeCee Cornish
A coaching studio for storytellers ready to refine performance choices with guidance from DeCee Cornish. Selected tellers will receive live feedback, others are welcome to observe and learn.
Learning Objectives:
- Present a story draft for critique.
- Respond constructively to professional feedback.
- Adjust performance techniques in real time.
- Develop a revision plan based on expert coaching.