The 2021 virtual Women’s Storytelling Festival was an overwhelming success. As the producer, I can honestly say that because we more than doubled our goal for attendance. But more than just the fact that we had over 600 people watching, and we achieved financial success, the quality of the performances, and the production value of the entire festival also exceeded expectations.
I can talk about how amazing the festival was all day. In fact, I have been interviewed twice since the festival concluded and have already done just that.
Check out Jessica’s interview with Simon Brooks on “Friday with Friends” here.
Check out Jessica’s interview with Ellouise Schoettler on “Stories in Time” here.
Instead of me telling you – more – about how great the festival was, I want to share a few of the messages I received from festival attendees. These are unsolicited comments and messages.
“This is the most amazing storytelling festival I have ever listened to in the 35 years since I was first introduced to storytelling!!!”
– MB
“Let me just say I absolutely loved the festival. I feel like I’ve uncovered a hidden world through this event. This was the first storytelling event I have ever attended and it was wonderful!”
– Nicole A.
“I wasn’t sure I had time to watch much, but I just can’t stop it’s so amazing!!!! I’m loving seeing tellers who are friends, tellers I don’t know personally but I know and love their work, and tellers new to me!”
– Liz Nichols
“Brava, Ladies! What a wonderful Festival. Good design, good production value, good variety, good energy, good spirit. Keep up the good word.”
– Ed Stivender
“These stories were ‘different’ from a typical festival. Though spectacularly executed, these stories were not ‘for show.’ They were rich in deeply felt emotions, experiences and connection to story. Honestly, this was the highlight of all the storytelling Zoom programs I’ve been watching. In addition, I loved the fact that I saw tellers I had never seen before (chosen from the worlds of comedy, the Moth, and other) as well as tellers I have known and loved for many years. What a completely splendid festival!! Huzzah!! Thanks so much, Jessica.”
– Karla Huntsman
“The festival was filled with joyful, strong and thoughtful women who delighted me with their stories, had me thinking about their journeys in life and enraptured me in their telling!”
– Marsha Wong
“I just watched the last couple hours of the festival and it was SO MAGNIFICENT!!
– Anna Marie Trester
thanks so much for the gift of that festival
for the gift of holding space for women
just everything!
wow”
“Jessica, what you have created is extraordinary. All you tellers and emcees — truly magnificent. Thank you for your brilliance, your sisterhood, your honesty, your heart. Brava, brava, brava!!”
– Galen R. Brandt
I want to thank everyone who took the time to give testimonials and/or to fill out the festival survey. I, the festival team, and the other storytellers really appreciate it. You can still fill out the post Festival survey here.
We will be updating information on the 2022 Women’s Storytelling Festival soon. For now, read about the 2021 Women’s Storytelling Festival here.
In the meantime, we’ve still got 2 storytelling shows a month. You can find our upcoming storytelling shows here.
Read about Jessica Robinson’s upcoming performances and workshops here.
