3D: stories of checkered youth, middle & old age

Storytelling fans, this is a hot ticket. Night one of the “3D” show sold out faster than you can say “drugs, debauchery and deliverance.” Get your tickets now for night two before another sell out happens. This will be the last night of this bawdy show. Here’s the skinny on “3D”:

Leave the kiddies at home on this night. Peter Bretl, a veteran of the stage at the American School of Storytelling, promises a show that’s not for the faint of heart — and, at the same time, a show that’s full of heart. Prepare to be surprised. Prepare to have some laughs. Prepare, perhaps, to squirm a little and rest assured, you won’t be bored.


To register:

  1. Add the number of tickets you want by clicking the ‘+’ button
  2. Click the ‘Get Tickets’ button.

Storytelling- Open Mic Mondays January 2026

This is an ongoing monthly series of storytelling open mics that will take place on the 3rd Monday of the month.

Here’s how it works:
Up to 10 Tellers. 10 minutes each. Any style- traditional, personal, braided. etc. Sign-up will be first come, first serve.

Doors at 6:30, show at 7pm.

This event presented in partnership of Story Arts of Minnesota and the American School of Storytelling.

3D: stories of checkered youth, middle & old age

***Second night added on January 24- tickets available!***

Leave the kiddies at home on this night. Peter Bretl, a veteran of the stage at the American School of Storytelling, promises a show that’s not for the faint of heart — and, at the same time, a show that’s full of heart. Prepare to be surprised. Prepare to have some laughs. Prepare, perhaps, to squirm a little and rest assured, you won’t be bored.


To register:

  1. Add the number of tickets you want by clicking the ‘+’ button
  2. Click the ‘Get Tickets’ button.

Welcoming a Darker Night 2025

Once more, 1762 Hennepin gets out its holiday trim to mark our Winter Solstice Celebration featuring stories, poetry, songs and more with Leslie Ball, Ralph Tutola and guests- a nod to Nordic tradition to mark the longest night of the year. Come welcome a darker night with us.


To register:

  1. Add the number of tickets you want by clicking the ‘+’ button
  2. Click the ‘Get Tickets’ button.

Ruby Rain “The Udder Hand”

“The Udder Hand” is the first in a series of five ‘unfoldings’. Embarking on a sensory adventure, each storytelling event will highlight a different sense: listening, seeing, scenting, tasting, touching. sharing the fruits of my own journey thru gnostic gospels especially Mary Magdalena’s.

Ruby RainGrowing up bilingually in a multi-ethnic blue collar immigrant neighborhood, Ruby learned early to navigate between differing narratives on the nature of life/“reality.” Her storytelling blends decades of travel, teaching and performing across U.S. & abroad with tools, techniques + ancient texts gathered en route. She immerses audience members in an experience, an organic expansion of awareness like bud to bloom or tree branches reaching for sun.


To register:

  1. Add the number of tickets you want by clicking the ‘+’ button
  2. Click the ‘Get Tickets’ button.

Jenie Smith “Unfinished”

“Unfinished” is an autobiographical one-woman show featuring stories around medical training, trauma, mental illness, addiction, burnout, and coming out the other side. This is an immersive and collaborative experience for an intimate audience.  Please join us.

Jenie M. Smith M.D.Bio: Jenie M. Smith M.D. has dabbled in theater while previously working as a clinical nephrologist.  She grew up in Western Nebraska, eventually finding her way to Minneapolis for medical school where she became enamored of the power of live theater and Story.  She works now as a “This Naked Mind” certified coach, helping physicians and other healthcare professionals who are struggling with burnout.

Playwright/Director: Naphtali Fields-Forbes is a rural arts consultant based in Pennsylvania and Alaska.  She helps individuals and communities craft and tell their own stories.  Do you have a story to share?  Reach out to her at naphtalifieldsforbes.com.


To register:

  1. Add the number of tickets you want by clicking the ‘+’ button
  2. Click the ‘Get Tickets’ button.

Family Oral History Collection

The Holiday season is not only a time to gather with family and friends but a time to collect the valuable memories and stories that we share around dinner tables and eggnog…

This is a three session course in 1) how to prepare for formal or informal interviews 2) how to conduct them and 3) how to (archive) store those digital treasures.

$40 for three online sessions, Thursdays, December 4, 11, and 18 at 7:00-8:30pm Central Time. Taught by Loren Niemi.


To register:

  1. Add the number of tickets you want by clicking the ‘+’ button
  2. Click the ‘Get Tickets’ button.

Beginnings and Endings

The invitation for the audience to enter the story can be more complicated than “Once upon a time…”. Similarly, the ending often deserves more than a rote “Happily ever after..”   This two session hands-on workshop will explore how to strengthen the beginnings and endings of your chosen stories, whether personal or traditional.

Taught online by Loren Niemi, Zoom (2 sessions)

Thursdays, November 6 and November 13 at 7:00 – 8:30 PM (Central)


To register:

  1. Add the number of tickets you want by clicking the ‘+’ button
  2. Click the ‘Get Tickets’ button.

Ari Hoptman “Is That Why?”

Stage veteran Ari Hoptman explores those random language mysteries that occupy our minds while we’re trying to fall asleep at night or are stuck in team leadership meetings. Why don’t we have a letter for th? Is writing left to right logical? How do you name mammals? What’s wrong with “gooder” anyway? See Ari talk about what a lot of smart folks figured out a while back.

Teller bio: Ari Hoptman is an actor and playwright who has been performing since his hair was black. He has done shows at Park Square, The Southern, Theater in the Round, Theater Garage, and that one place that used to be across from that church. He has also written several one-person comedy shows. When not doing that stuff, he teaches German and linguistics at the U of MN.


To register:

  1. Add the number of tickets you want by clicking the ‘+’ button
  2. Click the ‘Get Tickets’ button.

Fairytale Variations: Ghosts

“The veil grows thin and the otherworld draws close . . . ” It’s October, so we felt it was only right that we see what ghostly stories we can conjure up for you. Join Stories with Spirit as we explore just how close we are to the other side! Five incredible storytellers will each bring you a unique ghostly adventure. Cooper Braun and Rachel Ann Harding are overjoyed to welcome back two old friends. Loren Niemi an avowed master of the ghost story. And Laura Deal, under whose soft exterior are chilling tales. We are so happy to welcome the one and only Motoko to our virtual stage for the first time. An amazing master of Japanese stories, she will show us ghosts so many of us never knew existed. Adults only storytelling! TICKETS: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1772620769439 A Q&A with the tellers will follow the show, and a recording will be sent to all ticket holders. This is an Adults Only show. Some of these stories may be dark retellings, and we recommend this show to only those over 18 years of age. The show will take place at 6:00pm MDT (Denver) or 5:00pm PDT (Los Angeles), 7:00pm CDT (Chicago), 8:00pm EDT (New York)