I have heard from audience members and regular storytellers that one thing that keeps them coming back to our storytelling nights is that we are different. Better Said Than Done storytelling shares a lot of traits with other local and national storytelling shows, but we also stand out. I asked a few regular storytellers to explain why they think we are a little different from the rest.
Jeremy Strozer:
What makes BSTD different is a combination of venue, group, and audience. The venue is smaller than other story telling groups I’ve participated with, which makes it seem as if I’m telling my story to friends, rather than a crowd. The group meetings before the event also feed into that sense of friendship because we talk through our stories as a group of friends sitting around a table or in a living room. Finally, the audience is usually made up of friends of storytelling, so everyone came to hear how your experience with a certain topic became a part of your life. They are predisposed to enjoying what you have to say and usually can find a connection to you through your story with which they have an emotional reaction. Put together, the venue, the storytellers themselves, and the audience combine to create an encouraging and comfortable environment within which to share something usually very personal.
Jessica Piscitelli Robinson
I have been to many of the wonderful storytelling shows in the DC Metro area and have enjoyed the different formats, stories, and storytelling. What I think makes Better Said Than Done different is really the audience, and how the audience influences the storytelling. I believe that our audience, mostly comprised of Northern Virginia residents, though many come from DC and MD, is very diverse and, therefore, open to a lot of diverse types of stories. I have heard, time and again, from storytellers who say they feel comfortable telling more personal or more serious stories to our audience because they feel so welcome. We have a lot of funny storytellers, and many of our storytelling shows are filled with laughter, but when a storyteller does want to reach deep and share something that might be hard to open up about to just any crowd, they find a warm and welcome reception with our audience. Personally, that’s one of the things I love the most about being a storyteller with Better Said Than Done – the audience.
David Supley Foxworth
I think one of the best things (as a performer) about BSTD is the support I get from Jessica and the other storytellers during the writing and rehearsal process. It isn’t “you’re on the schedule, show up on performance day and do your thing.” Instead, I feel like Jessica and the other tellers are really invested in helping me make my story the best it can be. When I compare my (usually long and terrible) first draft to the final performance, the audience should appreciate the rehearsals too!
Ellouise Schoettler
Its the atmosphere!!!! The audience welcomes a wide range of stories from all the storytellers which makes it an inviting and comfortable place to tell your personal true stories.
And, personally I enjoy telling with storytellers who are taking risks and exploring new territory. They push me to follow suit.
Mike Baireuther:
BSTD has the perfect mix of a casual setting and well-crafted stories. As great as it is to tell a story there, I love getting the chance to hang out and listen to great storytellers on a Saturday night.
Anne Thomas:
It’s an intimate storytelling experience.
Mary Supley Foxworth:
Better Said Than Done is a very welcoming group. The shows feature entertaining and relatable stories in comfortable venues in Northern Virginia.
Come see for yourself how our storytelling nights are different and why Virginia Living Magazine voted Better Said Than Done the “Best Performing Arts Company in Virginia.” Our next storytelling show, “Awkward!,” is Saturday, July 27th, at Epicure Cafe, in Fairfax, VA. Details here.
