Storytellers’ Circle

*Sold Out*

Storytellers’ Circle is a seven-week writing workshop dedicated to the process of finding your creative voice and writing your own stories.

Whether you’re interested in writing a memoir or putting a creative spin on your family history — this workshop will equip you the tools and confidence to tap into your inner writer. We will explore different forms of storytelling, dynamic writing exercises, and hear practical wisdom from guest speakers.

The final half hour of each weekly meeting will be dedicated to individual writing time. Participants will be invited to share their work with fellow participants.

Our group of eight participants will gather via Zoom weekly on Tuesday afternoons from 2:00pm-3:30pm facilitated by TIP staff Sophia Fabiilli (Associate Artistic Director) and Sarah Dennison (Education Coordinator).

No previous experience is required — all levels welcome! This workshop is about the creative process and building a collaborative and supportive environment, not the final product. All you need is enthusiasm, creativity, and a reliable internet connection.

Enrollment

The workshops will run every Tuesday from January 5 to February 16 from 2:00-3:30pm on Zoom. Space is limited to eight participants.

Price for the Storytellers’ Circle is $220+HST and includes a copy of Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott. The Playhouse proudly shops local and purchased copies from Beggars’s Banquet Books.

  • RESERVE YOUR SPOT

    Storytellers’ Circle is currently SOLD OUT.

Weekly Schedule

Week 1: January 5: Warm Welcome
We’ll launch the workshop with warm introductions, an overview of workshop goals, and a lively conversation about the storytellers we admire and why.

Week 2: January 12: Creative Workout
Sharpen your pencils! This week, Sarah and Sophia will lead you through a wide array of writing strategies and exercises designed to explore how to use the five senses to crack open your creativity, recall memories, and tell stories with vivid specificity.

Week 3: January 19: Your Adventure, Your Voice
This week, we will focus on archiving an important adventure in your life from your unique perspective. We will also explore the art of giving thoughtful, constructive feedback.

Week 4: January 26: Saying A Lot with a Little
Facilitated by award-winning poet and author Sarah Tsiang, this week we will delve into how poetry (imagery, metaphor, and writing with economy) can make your writing shine.

Week 5: February 2: Exercising Your Artistic License
This week, we will focus on scribing a story from your family’s archive — such as a favourite childhood memory or a family myth that incorporates fact and fiction.

Week 6: February 9: Revisions and Revelations
This week will focus on strategies to revise your work with precision and grace. We will challenge ourselves to dig deeper to discover new revelations and detail.

Week 7: February 16: Celebrating the Journey
In our last meeting, participants will choose a piece of writing to share and celebrate all we’ve accomplished together.

“Sarah and Sofia’s Storyteller’s Circle encouraged me to create and refine a story that I was proud to share. Their enthusiasm for writing is contagious.”
– Mary-Lou Smitheram
“Sarah and Sophia put together a really fun, instructional program presented in a very encouraging environment. Their guest speakers were inspirational too.”
– Gretchen Bambrick
“When I signed up for the Storytellers Circle I was a little apprehensive; however, Sarah and Sophia made us all feel very comfortable right from the start. I feel confident now that I can move ahead with my writing.”
– Pauline Heissler
“Thanks to the Thousand Islands Playhouse for giving me the opportunity to find my own creative self during this time of lockdown and staying at home. The Storyteller’s Circle has opened another venue for me to explore. “
– Theresa Lawrence
“Are you a story teller, or do you live with a story teller? Is someone always saying, ”You should write that down!” but you don’t know where to start? Well then join the Thousand Islands Playhouse Storytellers’ Circle. It is great fun and a way to be inspired by others struggling with putting pen to paper (or fingers on the keyboard). Sophia and Sarah are excellent mentors, co-ordinators and instructors. They got our creative juices flowing as they challenged us with weekly exercises, feedback and reflections. I met the most interesting people in my circle and as we shared and laughed together.”
– Beth Hart