I have always been shy. When I was a small child, I would turn my head to avoid the gaze of a stranger. If they made the mistake of persisting with a friendly gesture or introduction, my response was to hide or burst into tears. It’s possible I gave a couple of people who were guests at my family’s dinner table a complex.
As an adult, I don’t hide from strangers, and I promise if you come over and say hello at a storytelling show, I will not start crying. I’m aware of and make an effort to overcome my shyness, though making small talk on occasion falls between “chore” and “bane of my existence”. People who have only recently met me are sometimes surprised that I describe myself as shy because I enjoy performing and have worked in communications for two decades. I do enjoy those activities – performing and work – but they also provide a structure for me to relate to others, which I find helpful when getting to know someone. (And then, once I know you, trust me, I have plenty to say.)
That is exactly what storytelling does, too – it provides a structure for sharing our experiences, whether personal or professional.
Better Said Than Done offers a variety of workshops to teach the art of creating and telling a true, personal story. Read about our upcoming workshops below and then sign up to learn how to put storytelling to use whether your goal is to get people excited about your business, jump on stage, or simply tell a good story in your everyday life.
(All workshops listed below will be held in Reston; exact address will be provided upon paid registration.)
Your Business Story: crafting your company tale
11 AM-3:30 PM, September 18, $75
A half-day workshop focused on how to write a compelling story to use as content for a website, brochure, elevator pitch, or more. Motivate volunteers for your cause, move prospects to sign on as clients, and convince investors yours is the right business by telling your story. Designed for small teams or solo-preneurs.
For organizations with larger teams (including employees, partners, members, and/or volunteers) or specific needs or concerns , Better Said Than Done offers private, specialized onsite or online workshops and presentations.
Take the Stage: storytelling for performance
7-9 PM, October 7, 14, and 21, $199
Three-week series of classes delving into the elements, tools, and skills of storytelling critical to developing and performing an engaging true, personal story on stage.
We will cover main and secondary character development and story structure; methods to enhance your story with dialogue, drama, humor, and more; and performance tips and techniques. Throughout the three weeks, each participant will work on developing and fine-tuning one story, using what we discuss each session to revise it for the next, and, ultimately, for the stage.
Spotlight on You: telling the story of your life
11 AM-3:30 PM, October 11, $75
A half-day workshop teaching structure, character building, and how to win over the audience. Participants should come with an idea for a story and will leave with a story ready to tell. For storytellers of all levels.
Better Said Than Done also offers one-on-one storytelling coaching. For more details, contact Jessica Piscitelli Robinson.
