On September 12, 2024, Carol Moore, Laura Packer, and Jessica Robinson will bring a little magic to a night of true storytelling. This 90 minute show will feature stories full of wonder, and truth, though not necessarily from true events.
This free storytelling show will take place at The Old Town Hall, 3999 University Dr. Fairfax, VA. The show starts at 7:00pm and doors open at 6:30pm. If you cannot attend in-person, there will be a live-stream to Youtube.
You do not need to register to attend in-person but will need to register to get the link to the live-stream. REGISTER FOR THE LIVE-STREAM BELOW.
This show is hosted by Fairfax City Parks and Recreation and is free and open to the public. Thank you to Fairfax City for supporting the arts, and the art of storytelling.
Stories are intended for a mature audience.
REGISTER HERE TO GET A LINK TO WATCH THE LIVE-STREAM AND THE RECORDING AFTER. THE LIVE EVENT IS FREE. THERE IS A MINIMUM COST OF $2 TO WATCH THE RECORDING. IF YOU’D LIKE TO SUPPORT BETTER SAID THAN DONE AND HELP OFFSET COSTS, FEEL FREE TO ADD AN ADDITIONAL CONTRIBUTION.
If you are attending live, you do not need to register or bring a ticket. Please arrive no later than 7:00pm at The Old Town Hall, 3999 University Dr., Fairfax, VA 22030. We are performing on the first floor, so please enter quietly if you do arrive late. There is FREE parking nearby. Follow the signs posted around town that say Parking.
If you are not feeling well, we ask that you stay home and watch the live stream.
The live-stream will start at 7:00pm Eastern and run until the conclusion of the performance. After the show has ended, you can watch the recording of the show using the same Youtube link. If you arrive online during the live-stream, but after it has started, you can scroll back to the start of the stream – like rewinding a video.
Better Said Than Done usually sticks to themes about the lived experiences of our tellers, things that have happened as they move through the everyday world. But on rare occasions, when the moon is full and the wind is just so, we stray into the unknown…
On Thursday, August 8th at 8 P.M. Eastern, we’ll be bringing you “Unreal Stories: Folk, Fae, and the Supernatural.” Our fearless leader Jessica Robinson will be your guide on this otherworldly trip, and storytellers Alton Chung, Judy Clapper, Jane Dorfman, Laura Packer, Ed Stivender, and Kim Weitkamp will be the ones providing you with glimpses into a myriad of eerie places.
Let’s take a minute and get to know our intrepid tellers…
Judy Clapper
Judy Clapper is returning to the stage for her second BSTD performance. She is a comedic storyteller who uses her wit, improv skills, and creativity to create and tell fun stories! She also loves to explore all genres, and is excited to be in a show with her Storytelling Coach, whom she affectionately calls her Storytelling momma – Laura Packer. For this show, Judy will attempt to get redemption and justice for one of Laura’s favorite animals.
Jane Dorfman tells fairy and folk tales, personal stories, a few lies, Arabian Nights, and sometimes tells as Calamity Jane. She tells for adults and children at Festivals, libraries, and schools. In July she told at the Hans Christian Andersen statue in Central Park. You can find her YouTube channel here.
Laura Packer
Laura Packer knows that the best way to the truth is through a good story; she has told, taught, ranted, raved, coached, consulted, and considered storytelling around the world for over 30 years. She loves stories that blur the edges of reality and someplace else. Laura has won multiple awards including induction into the National Storytelling Network’s Circle of Excellence. Laura holds a degree in folklore and mythology and is the author of From Audience to Zeal: The ABCs of Finding, Crafting, and Telling a Great Story.
Ed Stivender
A self-described “full-time Daydreamer who moonlights as a Storyteller”, Ed Stivender has entertained audiences throughout the world, since his debut at the Jonesborough Festival in1980. Dubbed “the Robin Williams of Storytelling” by the Miami Herald and “the Catholic Garrison Keillor” by Kirkus Reviews, he is the author of two books and numerous recordings. A popular workshop leader and MC, he is known for his delightful mixture of whimsy, wit and wisdom as he invites his audience to an interactive dance of the imagination. An award-winning Philadelphia Mummer, he was inducted into Storytelling’s Circle of Excellence in 1996.
Alton Chung
Japanese-Korean storyteller Alton Takiyama-Chung, grew up with the superstitions and the magic of the Hawaiian Islands. He tells stories of Hawaii and Asian folktales and performs across the United States and Internationally. He also is the editor-in-chief of The Story Beast, a storytelling e-Publication, is a former Chairman of the Board of Directors for National Storytelling Network (NSN), the national organization for storytellers in the US, and has been inducted into NSN’s Circle of Excellence.
Kim Weitkamp
Kim Weitkamp is an award winning storyteller, author, singer-songwriter and humorist. She performs regularly at festivals and theaters around the country, has written a well received folk operetta and has been a guest editor and contributor for various publications. She has 8 award winning albums, has produced and/or designed 32 albums for other performers and has hosted a morning show for a DOVE Award winning radio network.
Take a stroll down mysterious and mind-bending paths with these fine tellers! The show opens on Zoom at 8:00 P.M. Eastern, and the trip into twilight realms begins shorty after! Tickets start at $16 (with a $5 minimum option).
The recording of Unreal Stories is now available for purchase. With emcee Jessica Robinson and storytellers Alton Chung, Judy Clapper, Jane Dorfman, Laura Packer, Ed Stivender, and Kim Weitkamp for stories of magic and mischief.
Ticket sales close on August 11
$15 Suggested/$5 Minimum All Proceeds Split Between Producer and Storytellers
You will receive a link to watch the show moments after registering. If you do NOT see that email, first check your junk mail folder. If you still cannot find it, contact stories@bettersaidthandone.com BEFORE the show starts.
As people can watch the recording for up to one month after, ticket sales close on August 11th. Your receipt reflects the date ticket sales close. The link to watch the show has the date and time of the show on it.
In the “Buy Tickets” box, click on the amount you’d like to pay and then “add to cart.” At the top of the “Buy Tickets” box, a little box that says “Go to Cart” will appear. Click on that. Confirm everything in your cart is correct. Click “Review Cart and Make Payment.” Then click on “Make Payment through Paypal.” That will take you to Paypal where you are given the choice to login to pay OR to pay with credit card.
Keep up to date on all the storytelling shows, festival workshops, etc., by following Better Said Than Done any way you please. Here’s how to STAY IN TOUCH.
On June 29th, 2024, we’ll be playing at Clare and Don’s Beach Shack in Falls Church, VA, for “It’s All Fun and Games,” with Emcee Nick Baskerville and storytellers J.R. Denson, Bonnie Gardner, Amanda Lawrence, Jeanna Lee, Joan Leotta, Jamie McElhatton, and Sarah Snyder.
In-Person at Clare and Don’s Beach Shack, 130 N. Washington St, Falls Church, VA, at 6:00pm. Doors open at 5:30pm.
A full dinner and bar menu is available.
June 29, 2024
6:00pm Start/5:30pm Doors Open
When you purchase a ticket, your name will be entered on the list at the door. You do not get a physical ticket.
We recommend you get tickets in advance. If we do not sell out in advance, we’ll have tickets available at the door for $15 per person.
#storytelling
In the “Buy Tickets” box, click on the amount you’d like to pay and then “add to cart.” At the top of the “Buy Tickets” box, a little box that says “Go to Cart” will appear. Click on that. Confirm everything in your cart is correct. Click “Review Cart and Make Payment.” Then click on “Make Payment through Paypal.” That will take you to Paypal where you are given the choice to login to pay OR to pay with credit card.
The RECORDING of Storytelling the Musical – emcee Lona Bartlett and storytellers Karin Amano, Heather Forest, Chetter Galloway, Ingrid Nixon, and Jessica Robinson – is now available for purchase. Ticket sales close at the end of the day, June 10th, 2024. You can watch the recording through July 10th.
$15 Suggested/$5 Minimum All Proceeds Split Between Producer and Storytellers
You will receive a link to watch the show moments after registering. If you do NOT see that email, first check your junk mail folder. If you still cannot find it, contact stories@bettersaidthandone.com BEFORE the show starts.
As people can watch the recording for up to one month after, ticket sales close on June 10th. Your receipt reflects the date ticket sales close. The link to watch the show has the date and time of the show on it.
In the “Buy Tickets” box, click on the amount you’d like to pay and then “add to cart.” At the top of the “Buy Tickets” box, a little box that says “Go to Cart” will appear. Click on that. Confirm everything in your cart is correct. Click “Review Cart and Make Payment.” Then click on “Make Payment through Paypal.” That will take you to Paypal where you are given the choice to login to pay OR to pay with credit card.
Keep up to date on all the storytelling shows, festival workshops, etc., by following Better Said Than Done any way you please. Here’s how to STAY IN TOUCH.
The National Storytelling Network (NSN) Pro Sig Group is hosting an online workshop – FREE to Pro Sig members, and only $10 to all others – to teach Social Media Skills. Led by speaking coach and storyteller Carol Moore and Better Said Than Done Executive Director and storyteller Jessica Robinson, this 90 minute workshop is designed to teach storytellers how to promote themselves online.
Saturday, May 18, 2024 2:00pm Eastern/1:00pm Central/12pm Mountain/11am Pacific
The NSN (National Storytelling Network) Annual Conference is July 11 – 14, 2024, in Dumas Bay, Washington State, as well as streaming online. Find out more about the conference here.
The recording of Twisted Tales, Braided stories is available to purchase through May 19th. You can watch the recording through June 29th. With emcees Norm Brecke and Anne Rutherford and storytellers Eva Abram, Tim Ereneta, Amanda Lawrence, Mo Reynolds, and Jessica Robinson.
$15 Suggested/$5 Minimum All Proceeds Split Between Producer and Storytellers
You will receive a link to watch the show moments after registering. If you do NOT see that email, first check your junk mail folder. If you still cannot find it, contact stories@bettersaidthandone.com BEFORE the show starts.
As people can watch the recording for up to one month after, ticket sales close on May 19th.Your receipt reflects the date ticket sales close. The link to watch the show has the date and time of the show on it.
In the “Buy Tickets” box, click on the amount you’d like to pay and then “add to cart.” At the top of the “Buy Tickets” box, a little box that says “Go to Cart” will appear. Click on that. Confirm everything in your cart is correct. Click “Review Cart and Make Payment.” Then click on “Make Payment through Paypal.” That will take you to Paypal where you are given the choice to login to pay OR to pay with credit card.
On May 4th, 2024, join emcee Jessica Robinson – who will use her Jedi mind tricks to persuade the audience that these ARE the storytellers they are looking for – and storytellers Nick Baskerville, Noa Baum, Jon Modell, Joe Morice, Ravi Pimplaskar, Jack Scheer, and Sarah Snyder for Rebel Alliance: Stories of Empires and Rebellion.
In-Person at Clare and Don’s Beach Shack, 130 N. Washington St, Falls Church, VA, at 6:00pm. Doors open at 5:30pm.
A full dinner and bar menu is available.
May 4th, 2024
6:00pm Start/5:30pm Doors Open
When you purchase a ticket, your name will be entered on the list at the door. You do not get a physical ticket.
We recommend you get tickets in advance. If we do not sell out in advance, we’ll have tickets available at the door for $15 per person.
In the “Buy Tickets” box, click on the amount you’d like to pay and then “add to cart.” At the top of the “Buy Tickets” box, a little box that says “Go to Cart” will appear. Click on that. Confirm everything in your cart is correct. Click “Review Cart and Make Payment.” Then click on “Make Payment through Paypal.” That will take you to Paypal where you are given the choice to login to pay OR to pay with credit card.
At this time, all workshops are virtual. If you are local to Northern Virginia and would like to join in-person, we may be able to work that out.
Spotlight on You – TBD, led by Jessica Robinson
Mini Class on Personal Storytelling July 24, 2024 at 8:00pm Eastern, led by Jessica Robinson
Your Story, Your Life – Starting September 4, 2024 at 7:00pm, and running each Wednesday night, for 5 Wednesdays, through October 2, 2024 – led by Jessica Robinson
Register for a virtual storytelling workshop below.
PLEASE NOTE: Workshops are on Zoom. We are in the EASTERN TIME ZONE and times listed about reflect that.
Spotlight on You, Spotlight on You, Too, and Your Story, Your Life class sizes are limited to no more than 8 registrants so that each attendee will have time to share a story and receive critical feedback. The Braiding Stories and Quick Guide to Personal Storytelling workshops are more presentation style with time for a few volunteers to share, but class size is not limited and not all participants will be able to share a story.
After registering, you will receive a receipt. Login information and details for the class will be sent approximately 4 days prior to that class. If you have questions in the meantime, or don’t see the email, please contact stories@bettersaidthandone.com
Spotlight On You – A half day workshop which includes lessons about storytelling structure, character development and other techniques for creating dramatic, engaging and true, personal stories. Class size is limited so all students will be given the opportunity to share a story and receive critical feedback.
Mini Class on Personal Storytelling – bring ideas for a 5-7 minute story to work on in this 90 minute class. Learn about character development, story structure, and where to begin and how to end, and then spend some time writing. A few participants will be able to share their stories with the class.
Your Story, Your Life – 5 two hour classes, over five weeks, to help you develop secondary characters, dialogue, non-linear structure, enhanced performance skills, and stories of varying lengths to be performed on stage. Students will be able to workshop and hone at least one, and possibly several, stories over the course of 5 weeks.
Braiding Stories – In this 90 minute workshop, we’ll discuss what braided stories are, different types of braided tales, and when it makes sense to intertwine multiple stories. Then we’ll dig into some techniques on how to craft a braided story. Participants will spend some time working and weaving their own tales, and a few will be given the chance to share a story.
Read about our storytelling teachers, as well as about what you can expect in our workshops here.
The Women’s Storytelling Festival is nearly here! We’re nearly at the Thursday night virtual kickoff, followed by three days of terrific telling in fabulous city of Fairfax, VA.
All told there will be twenty-one amazing women sharing their wit, wisdom, skill and power during the fest. You can read all about them here!
1. What I tell always depends on the audience, the focus of a festival, the moment we are living in and what I love to share. I combine traditional symbolic stories like fairytales, and myths with personal narrative. I have been doing that for 45 years. At first I did it because the little comments between old stories about my life were always enjoyed and then because as more and more life stories were considered that which was true and authentic, I wanted to open a bigger field of recognizing how the great traditional stories were deeply personal, and the memories were mythic.
2. I will be telling a variety of stories from memories of growing up as a girl in Brooklyn – knowing more about Pastrami sandwiches than my own body – to a retelling of one of the oldest mythic stories that we know – the Mystery of Mother and Daughter, through the tale of Demeter and Persephone. I am also delighted to weave three stories in one set: about my mother, hearing Nina Simone on my first date into Manhattan, and a very juicy Hawaiian myth.
Linda Yemoto
1. I tell pan-Asian folktales, nature-education stories, and a few personal stories. My most consistent audiences are school groups and families at the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco, where we lead tours of the galleries, but use Asian folktales to bring the art to life. Since the pandemic I’ve done countless virtual programs for both kids and adults, and appeared in-person at various festivals.
2. Through the use of an old button, I’ll be telling the story of a Japanese picture bride — my baachan (grandmother) — and a look at her life upon arriving in California.
That’s it for our Teller Spotlight! Come join us in Fairfax or online for the fifth annual Women’s Storytelling Festival!
