Program Schedule
45th Annual St. Louis Storytelling Festival
Capture Your Personal History
Wednesday, November 13-Saturday, November 23
Preserve your personal or family history by recording your story in the Personal History Studio. Alternatively, invite a family member or friend to engage in a meaningful conversation, capturing the stories in the studio. Prompts will be available and staff will be on hand to help get you started. Storage needed: Bring USB Flash Drive or External Hard Drive.
Adults. Appointment required. Emerson History & Genealogy Center.
Location: Clark Family Branch
Campfire
Wednesday, November 13, 8:00 p.m.
Presented by storyteller Marissa Brooks
Campfire Fellow, Marissa Brooks, shares her wisdom through her personal narrative from the stage. Expect a night of stories, engage in meaningful conversation, and reflect on the moments that have shaped us. Drinks available for purchase. Doors open at 7:30 p.m.
Adults.
Location: Work & Leisure
Travel Stories
Thursday, November 14, 2:30 p.m.
Presented by storyteller Errol McLendon
Enjoy stories of road foods, roadside attractions and the Great American road trip.
Adults.
Location: Mirowitz Center
Voices of America
Thursday, November 14, 6:30 p.m.
Emcee: Nestor Gomez
Kick off the St. Louis Storytelling Festival with nationally renowned storytellers Claire Hennessy, Adam Booth, Jasmin Cardenas, and Simon Brooks with this thought-provoking performance which promises to stir emotions and spark laughter as they share their personal stories. In collaboration with the Missouri History Museum’s Thursday Nights at the Museum series. Enjoy the cash bar and food provided by Key Bistro beginning at 5:30 p.m.
Adults.
Location: Missouri History Museum
Rhythms and Folklore of Africa
Friday, November 15, 11:00 a.m.
Presented by storyteller Kenya Ajanaku
Celebrate African culture through a captivating performance of drumming, dance, and African folktales. In collaboration with the Saint Louis Art Museum’s Access for All Free Fridays.
Ages 3-12.
Location: Saint Louis Art Museum
Global Narratives
Friday, November 15, 6:00 p.m.
Emcee: Nestor Gomez
Nationally renowned storytellers Charlotte Blake Alston and Alton Chung will captivate with folktales from the African and Hawaiian cultures while Justin Perez uses Visual Vernacular storytelling to tell imaginative and adventurous tales. In collaboration with the Saint Louis Art Museum’s Access for All Free Fridays. Enjoy the cash bar and music beginning at 5:00 p.m.
All ages.
Location: Saint Louis Art Museum
Workshop: From the Page to the Stage - Breathing Life into Characters
Saturday, November 16, 8:30-10:00 a.m.
Presented by storyteller Alton Chung
Learn experiential exercises using your voice, body, gestures, and facial expressions to create memorable characters that make your stories come alive with nationally recognized storyteller, Alton Chung.
Adults. Registration required. Event Room A & B.
Location: Clark Family Branch
Cuentos From the Americas
Saturday, November 16, 9:00 a.m.
Presented by storyteller Jasmin Cardenas
Embark on a bilingual (Spanish/English) journey of stories from North, Central, and South America, and the Caribbean Islands full of legends, folktales, and personal stories mixed with songs and dance. Doors open at 8:30 a.m.
All ages. Event Room D.
Location: Clark Family Branch
A Kaleidoscope of Stories
Saturday, November 16, 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
Emcee: Shani Womack
Celebrate the diversity of storytelling with Errol McLendon, Kenya Ajanaku, Jia Lian Yang, and Shani Womack as they transport you across time with stories from ancient folklore to personal revelations of belonging and home. Doors open at 10:00 a.m.
All ages. Event Room C.
Location: Clark Family Branch
Meet and Greet
Saturday, November 16, 11:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Meet storytellers Errol McLendon, Kenya Ajanaku, Jia Lian Yang, and Shani Womack following the program.
All ages. Event Room C.
Location: Clark Family Branch
2024 Storytelling Grand Showcase
Saturday, November 16, 2:00-4:00 p.m.
Emcee: Nestor Gomez
Immerse yourself in a rich array of storytelling experiences with nationally renowned storytellers Adam Booth, Charlotte Blake Alston, Justin Perez, Simon Brooks, Jasmin Cardenas, Alton Chung, and Claire Hennessy as they weave together stories of humor, wisdom, and emotion. Doors open at 1:30 p.m.
All ages. Event Room C.
Location: Clark Family Branch
Meet and Greet
Saturday, November 16, 4:00-4:30 p.m.
Meet nationally renowned storytellers Adam Booth, Charlotte Blake Alston, Justin Perez, Simon Brooks, Jasmin Cardenas, Alton Chung, Claire Hennessy and Nestor Gomez following the program.
All ages. Event Room C.
Location: Clark Family Branch
Workshop: Beginner Storytelling
Sunday, November 17, 10:00-11:30 a.m.
Presented by storyteller Nestor Gomez
Winner of 80 Moth storytelling slams, Nestor Gomez, will share his insights on how to write and tell an engaging story. Learn his successful formula on how to mine for stories, the different ways a story can be structured, and how to get to the heart of your story in this workshop.
Adults. Registration required. Event Room A & B.
Location: Clark Family Branch
Your Story on Stage
Sunday, November 17, 1:00-2:30 p.m.
Presented by The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
Celebrate the diverse stories from our community as personal stories are brought to life on stage by The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis. Doors open at 12:30 p.m.
Adults. Event Room C.
Location: Clark Family Branch
Will the Real Son of Bach Please Stand Up?
Sunday, November 17, 3:00-4:30 p.m.
Presented by Lemp Neighborhood Arts Center - Orchestrating Diversity
Can you determine which classical work is Johann Christian Bach's and which is Bach-inspired? Listen and learn about the music played by the orchestra and vote on which piece is the imposter. Doors open at 2:30 p.m.
All ages. Event Room D.
Location: Clark Family Branch
African Folktales
Monday, November 18, 6:30 p.m.
Presented by storytellers Bobby Norfolk and Kenya Ajanaku
Immerse yourself in the African folktales passed down through oral traditions.
All ages.
Location: Florissant Valley Branch
Workshop: Developing and Telling Personal & Family Stories
Tuesday, November 19, 10:00 a.m.
Presented by storyteller Angela J. Williams
Learn the when, where, why, and how of developing recountable family and personal stories.
Adults.
Location: Meramec Valley Branch
Leapin' Lizards
Tuesday, November 19, 10:00 a.m.
Presented by storyteller Bobby Norfolk
Slither and slide through tales of geckos, chameleons, horned lizards, gators and crocodiles.
Ages 3-6.
Location: Oak Bend Branch
Workshop: Developing and Telling Personal & Family Stories
Tuesday, November 19, 2:00 p.m.
Presented by storyteller Angela J. Williams
Learn the when, where, why, and how of developing recountable family and personal stories.
Adults.
Location: Thornhill Branch
A Night of Stories and Art
Tuesday, November 19, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Listen to short memoir pieces and view watercolor works from writers and artists over the age of 55. Light refreshments served.
All ages. Event Room D.
Location: Clark Family Branch
Imaginative Landscapes: Storytelling with Green Screen
Wednesday, November 20, 3:00-5:00 p.m.
Creativity knows no bounds and stories come to life in the most vibrant and imaginative ways with technology. Harness the power of green screens to transport audiences to fantastical worlds, mythical realms, and places beyond the ordinary.
Teens. Creative Lab.
Location: Clark Family Branch
Creatures of Myth and Legend
Wednesday, November 20, 5:30 p.m.
Presented by World Bird Sanctuary
Discover different ways animals inspire myths and legends across the globe and meet some live animals.
Children and families.
Location: Jamestown Bluffs Branch
Traditional Indigenous Stories
Wednesday, November 20, 6:30 p.m.
Presented by storytellers Maria Hussman and Suzanne Jones
Hear myths and legends passed down generations from Ojibwe storyteller Maria Hussman and Choctaw and Cherokee storyteller Suzanne Jones.
All Ages.
Location: Grant’s View Branch
Virtual Program: Writing About Place and Home
Thursday, November 21, 6:30 p.m.
Engage in the practice of writing creative nonfiction about place through the lens of the Midwest experience with teaching artist Delia Rainey.
Adults. Registration required.
Location: Virtual over Zoom
Leapin' Lizards
Friday, November 22, 11:00 a.m.
Presented by storyteller Bobby Norfolk
Slither and slide through tales of geckos, chameleons, horned lizards, gators and crocodiles.
Ages 3-6.
Location: Rock Road Branch
Creatures of Myth and Legend
Saturday, November 23, 10:00 a.m.
Presented by World Bird Sanctuary
Discover different ways animals inspire myths and legends across the globe and meet some live animals.
Children and families.
Location: Samuel C. Sachs Branch