As the new year approaches, people may begin to ponder what resolutions they will make for 2015 - losing weight, getting a new job, quitting smoking, eating healthier. What about learning the art of storytelling as the means to self-improvement? Whether you’re looking to conquer your fear of public speaking or stage fright, or take on a new creative challenge, Better Said Than Done offers opportunities that will help you see your New Year’s resolutions through.
Better Said Than Done is a Northern Virginia community of professional storytellers. In addition to producing monthly themed storytelling shows, featuring experienced performers from their team of storytellers, they also offer workshops on storytelling. They believe that everyone has a story to tell and offer tools and techniques to craft a good story - such as structure and character building and, perhaps most importantly, how to win the audience over. Every participant will have the opportunity to develop and perform a story in the supportive, small group setting of the workshop. They will offer feedback and answer your questions so when you leave you’ll feel comfortable and ready to tell your story at a party, in the board room, or on stage. Upcoming workshops include:
Spotlight on You: Telling the story of your life
Offered Jan. 24, 2015 and Feb. 21, 2015; sign up for one date 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Northern Virginia [location details provided to registered participants] $75 per person
Taught by Jessica Piscitelli Robinson
In this half-day workshop, participants will learn structure, character building, and how to win the audience over. This workshop is appropriate for storytellers of all levels. Students should come with an idea for a story and will leave with a story ready to tell.
Visit http://www.bettersaidthandone.com/classes/ for more information or to register.
Your Business Story: Crafting your company tale
Offered March 7, 2015
11 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Northern Virginia [location details provided to registered participants]
$75 per person
Taught by Jessica Piscitelli Robinson
Motivate volunteers for your cause, move prospects to sign on as clients and convince investors yours is the right business by telling your story. After this half-day workshop, which focuses on how to write a compelling story, students will leave with stories to use as content for their website, brochure, and elevator speech. Stories are workshopped with teachers and other students, lending many different perspectives on your business tale.
Visit http://www.bettersaidthandone.com/classes/ for more information or to register.
For those who feel ready now to tell their true, personal story on stage, Better Said Than Done welcomes newcomers. Each of their regular shows has one spot for a first-time teller. They work with first-timers before the show to help them prepare their story and rehearse their performance before they come on stage. Anyone interested in telling their first story with Better Said Than Done can submit their story idea on their website at http://www.bettersaidthandone.com/contact/. Upcoming shows include:
Angels and Demons: stories about good, evil, and trying to choose - Jan. 31, 7 p.m., The Auld Shebeen, 3971 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax, $10 per person.
Stranger Than Fiction: stories about truth, craziness, and life - Feb. 28, 7 p.m., The Auld Shebeen, 3971 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax, $10 per person.
Earth, Wind, and Fire: stories about the elements - March 28, 8 p.m., Nature House, 11450 Glade Drive, Reston, $15 per person, fundraiser for Friends of Reston.
For more information on upcoming shows, performers, or workshops, visit www.bettersaidthandone.com.