The Virginia Report

Posted on March 22, 2013 by Jessica Piscitelli Robinson

Better Said Than Done founder and storyteller Jessica Piscitelli Robinson was recently interviewed on The Virginia Report, a local TV program hosted by Virginia Delegate Ken Plum.

The show will air on RCTV28 on Tuesday, April 9 at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, April 10 at 10:30 p.m.  In the meantime, you can watch the episode right here!

Virginia Report – March 2013 from Comcast Channel 28 on Vimeo.

Make sure to check out future episodes of the Virginia Report on their website!

You can see Jessica perform a story live in the next Better Said Than Done storytelling show “Geek Chic.” Check out a schedule of our upcoming shows here.

Ken and Jessica spoke a lot about the value of storytelling and the importance of storytelling workshops. You can find more information about storytelling workshops here.

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Nerds. Nerds. Nerds.

Posted on March 15, 2013 by Jessica Piscitelli Robinson

There are all kinds of nerds in this world (some of them a delicious snack food), and on Saturday, March 23rd, we celebrate the nerd in all of us.

Join the Better Said Than Done storytellers for a night of cool stories about geeky things.


Storytellers Mike Baireuther, Mattie Cohan, David Supley Foxworth, Allison Kirsch, Len Kruger, Chuck Na and Jessica Piscitelli Robinson will regale us with true, personal stories about the geekiest things they ever did – and will admit to.

Geek Chic – stories about nerdy behavior, geeky hobbies, and being cooler than cool
Saturday, March 23rd, 2013
Epicure Cafe
11213 Lee Highway
Fairfax, VA
7:00PM Show
Doors Open at 6:00PM
$10 Tickets Available at the door

Continue reading →

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Learn to Tell a Great Story

Posted on March 7, 2013 by Jessica Piscitelli Robinson

We have one more storytelling workshop left, before our long hiatus. In “Spotlight on You,” students will learn the craft of storytelling and have an opportunity to workshop their own true and personal story.

For more details and to register for the storytelling workshop on March 16th: Click Here

Here’s what some past students had to say about the workshop:
“The workshop was very valuable for understanding the basics of effective performance storytelling. The class offered expert tips and approaches from the accomplished instructors in a supportive, friendly, small group environment. The experience of standing up for the first time to tell a story, having it thoughtfully critiqued, and then telling it again left an indelible imprint that will stick with me for a long time to come. It also helps me professionally to tell my story and coach my clients in how to tell theirs in a more engaging manner.” – KS

“Telling stories is part art and part structure, and the Better Said Than Done course helps with both. It’s a great experience, and they make it fun.” – MP

“I really enjoyed your class. It was so interesting learning about the nuances to storytelling. And the way you get us right into it was great! Great class for those that need a new hobby, or for those that want to increase their speaking impact!” – FD

March 16, 2013
Spotlight on You: Telling the story of your life
11450 Glade Dr. Reston, VA 20191
Cost: $75
Storytelling Coaches: Jennifer Luu and Anna Marie Trester

Continue reading →

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Watch the Road…to the Altar

Posted on March 5, 2013 by Jessica Piscitelli Robinson

In “Road to the Altar,” Better Said Than Done storytellers shared true, personal tales of looking for love and tying the knot. In case you missed the show, or just want to see the best storytelling show in Virginia all over again, here are all the videos from our fantastic cast, in order of appearance.

Click on any of the names to view their video.

Jessica Piscitelli’s rules of dating.

First Time Teller Mary Supley Foxworth’s road to a friend’s wedding.

First Time Teller Shawn Westfall’s most unique dating experience.

Kim Ruff’s obsession with an older boy.

Mattie Cohan gets an “interesting” email from her J Date profile.

Kelly Wolfe goes to her ex fiance’s wedding.

Jeremy Strozer is a spy. Shh, don’t tell.

Anna Marie Trester brings 3 books on a date at the library.

If you want to see Virginia’s best storytelling show, or are just looking for a great night out, don’t miss our next show – “Geek Chic.” Continue reading →

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Best of the Better

Posted on March 1, 2013 by Jessica Piscitelli Robinson

Better Said Than Done is celebrating our two-year anniversary with a storytelling contest. Voting is now open to the public HERE to determine the top ten stories of the past two years. On May 25, 2013, the best of the best will fight it out at Epicure Cafe in Fairfax, Virginia, in a night of true, personal stories. Prizes will be given to the top 3 performances of the night.

The top 25 storytellers were chosen by an independent panel of judges. The 25 selected storytellers range in age from 27 to 76. Most live in DC, Fairfax County, Arlington County, and Maryland, but one travels from Philadelphia to participate in the shows. Some have been telling stories for 30 years, and others for less than a year.

Now, it’s up to the public to pick the top ten. Videos of the 25 best stories have been gathered in one playlist. We are asking fans of storytelling to go to the contest page and view the playlist of the top 25 stories. After viewing the videos, fans can vote for their favorite story. One vote per person. You must have a VALID email address for your vote to count. We are eliminating any votes from non valid email addresses. Voting closes on Sunday, April 14, 2013, at midnight.

The top ten storytellers, based on the number of votes received for their stories, will be announced on April 15, 2013 on our blog, as well as our Facebook Page and Twitter Feed. Each of these storytellers will then be asked to prepare a new story for the anniversary show on May 25, 2013. Continue reading →

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Stories of Loves Found, but Mostly Not

Posted on February 27, 2013 by Jessica Piscitelli Robinson

Last Saturday night, we sold out a great storytelling show. In “Road to the Altar,” storytellers shared their quests for love, their worst dating stories, and a few tales of things actually going well.

Here’s a little more detail about how this night of true, personal stories went down.

Jessica Piscitelli Robinson revealed her rules of dating, and how she applied them to trapping her husband. Then, first time teller Mary Supley Foxworth, a graduate of our storytelling workshop, told a moving story about a post 9/11 wedding.

Our second first time teller of the night, Shawn Westfall, invoked “Ghostbusters” with his dating story. Like a ghost, you really have to see it to believe it. And Kim Ruff told about a not so healthy obsession she had with her high school boyfriend.

Mattie Cohan kicked off the second half of the night by sharing the wonders of J Date. Kelly Wolfe attended her ex-fiance’s wedding, and somehow lived to tell about it.

Jeremy Strozer re-enacted the best moments from the “Spy Who Loved Me.” And Anna Marie Trester ended the night on a literary note, with book dating at the library.
Continue reading →

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Storytelling and Your Brand

Posted on February 27, 2013 by Jessica Piscitelli Robinson

I wanted to share this article on the “Science of Storytelling” with you.

It’s great read, but to give you a quick idea, in case you are feeling lazy, it basically says that people remember stories more than facts, figures, or concepts. If you want to impact someone, get them to understand and remember your message, there is no more effective way to do it than to tell them a story.

In this Saturday’s workshop, “Your Business Story,” storytelling coaches Jennifer Luu and Jessica Piscitelli Robinson will be teaching business owners, non profit board members, and anyone who needs to make an impression in corporate America, how to tell an effective business story.

There are still a few spaces open, so register now.

March 2, 2013
Your Business Story: Crafting your company tale
2709 Hunter Mill Rd, Oakton, VA 22124
Cost: $75
Storytelling Coaches: Jennifer Luu and Jessica Piscitelli Robinson

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.

Students must register and pay in advance
For more details and to register for the storytelling for business workshop: Click Here

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Last 2 Storytelling Workshops of the Season

Posted on February 19, 2013 by Jessica Piscitelli Robinson

I know this is hard news to bear, but Better Said Than Done teachers need a little break. With all the shows and classes, and, um, our lives, we have been overwhelmed. So we are taking the Spring and Summer off. Workshops will resume in the Fall.

However, all is not lost. There are 2 more classes left before we hang up our coaching spurs. If you want to learn basics of story structure and character development, or how to apply those skills to business writing, then check out one of our two March workshops.

March 2, 2013
Your Business Story: Crafting your company tale
2709 Hunter Mill Rd, Oakton, VA 22124
Cost: $75
Storytelling Coaches: Jennifer Luu and Jessica Piscitelli Robinson

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.

Students must register and pay in advance
For more details and to register for the storytelling for business workshop: Click Here

March 16, 2013
Spotlight on You: Telling the story of your life
11450 Glade Dr. Reston, VA 20191
Cost: $75
Storytelling Coaches: Jennifer Luu and Anna Marie Trester

A half-day workshop where you will learn structure, character building, and how to win the audience over, through our teacher’s method of storytelling coaching. For storytellers of all levels. Students should come with an idea for a story and will leave with a story ready to tell.

Students must register and pay in advance
For more details and to register for the storytelling workshop: Click Here

Join us in March at our storytelling workshops and learn how to tell a true and powerful story.

 

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On the Road

Posted on February 18, 2013 by Jessica Piscitelli Robinson

This Saturday night, at 7:00PM, Better Said Than Done storytellers will take you on a journey. We depart from Epicure Cafe and hit the Road to the Altar, with stories about looking for love, tying the knot and the ever after.

Join storytellers Mattie Cohan, Mary Supley Foxworth, Kim Ruff, Jeremy Strozer, Kelly Wolfe, Jessica Robinson, Shawn Westfall and Anna Marie Trester for true, personal stories about dating Hell, true love, and the fun, fun, fun of weddings.

Road to the Altar – looking for love, tying the knot, and the ever after
Saturday, February 23rd, 2013
Epicure Cafe
11213 Lee Highway
Fairfax, VA
7:00PM Show
Doors Open at 6:00PM
$10 Tickets Available at the door
Continue reading →

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Cold Videos to Warm Your Heart

Posted on February 14, 2013 by Jessica Piscitelli Robinson

In “Brrr…It’s Cold Outside,” Better Said Than Done storytellers shared true, personal tales of cold stories and warm hearts. In case you missed the show, or just want to see the best storytelling show in Virginia all over again, here are all the videos from our fantastic cast, in order of appearance.

Click on any of the names to view the video.

Derek Hills’ best igloo ever

Kimberly Ruff’s story about the homeless

Mel Pine’s longest cab ride ever

Geraldine Buckley won’t be left out in the cold

Dustin Fisher survives a blizzard

Jessica Piscitelli Robinson trains for a marathon

Mike Baireuther spends a cold night awaiting his ride

If you want to see Virginia’s best storytelling show, or are just looking for a great night out, don’t miss our next show – “Road to the Altar.” Continue reading →

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