Focusing on the development of your story beyond the bare bones. Whether it is adjusting the narrative details or crafting the performance, this is a hands-on class to help you tell a better story.
In person, 4 sessions, 7:00-9:00 pm, Wednesdays, October 8 to 29 ~ Taught by Loren Niemi
To register:
The fundamentals of storytelling: what is a story, how to craft it, and how to tell it. We begin by looking at both personal and traditional stories to learn genres and the narrative forms, then begin making decisions about the particular narrative form you want to use, beginnings/ endings, point of view, the emotional arc of a story, and then practice telling it.
In person, 4 sessions, 7:00-9:00 pm, Wednesdays
September 3 to 24 ~ Taught by Loren Niemi
To register:
“Tales of a Reluctant Mystic” is a one womin show that challenges conventional ideas of ghosts, ancestors and demons by guiding people on a journey of discovery of their inner cosmos.
Monday, September 8, 2025 at 7:00 pm
Ruby Rain is a poet, storyteller, artist, scholar, teacher and shaman. She has published and performed in both English and Hebrew in a wide variety of venues across the US and Europe. Ruby has extensive training in martial arts, dance and theater.
To register:
SAM’s annual membership meeting is open to all current, past, and prospective members. Come to learn what programs and events SAM is engaged in now, and what dreams and ideas are germinating but need more volunteer energy to sprout and flourish. Bring your own ideas for fruitful action to advance SAM’s dual mission of promoting the art of storytelling and developing and supporting storytellers.
And then, because we put a premium on creativity and using your voice, we’ll follow the business agenda with an open storytelling mic—another chance to flex your creative muscles and speak up (or just relax and be part of the audience).
One important agenda item at every annual meeting is the election of new Board members. We encourage anyone interested in promoting storytelling to apply to join the Board. We especially need people with website and social media skills.
Here is a link to the google form for board nominations. You may nominate yourself or anyone else you believe would be good in the role.
https://forms.gle/kLBGaFbQ92W9STMU8
Adventures in Music and Storytelling is an evening of storytelling by David Daniels, the “Rootswriter” weaving the personal cultural and historical in his Rasta/Reggae influenced stories.
He is joined by guitarist singer/songwriter, Twin Cities musician, Chris Stevens. Chris is noted for his work with the Stevens Family Band, the Wilkinson James band and recently released a CD titled ‘Time to Pause’.
NOTE: Starting on March 31, 2025 Hennepin Ave 26th St to Douglas Ave will be under construction. Check our ‘Getting Here’ page for parking options.
To register:
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.
NOTE: Starting on March 31, 2025 Hennepin Ave 26th St to Douglas Ave will be under construction. Check our ‘Getting Here’ page for parking options.
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.
NOTE: Starting on March 31, 2025 Hennepin Ave 26th St to Douglas Ave will be under construction. Check our ‘Getting Here’ page for parking options.
Who doesn’t like telling ghost stories, at summer camp or the family table? In the first session, the American School of Storytelling’s Founder, Loren Niemi will tell three types of ghost stories and examine what makes them work. In the second session you should bring your favorite tale to share and learn how to tailor it to augment its “things that go bump in the night’ quality.
Online, two sessions on Wednesday August 20 & August 27 at 7:00 – 8:30 PM Central, $40 fee
Each year the National Storytelling Network strives to bring together storytellers from every corner of the world to participate in an annual conference with a wide variety of workshops, education sessions, performances, and networking opportunities.
More information at NSN Conference 2025
This two-weekend workshop is an immersive dive into creating memorable stories and will give you tools to find, craft and tell both traditional (folk, fairytale, cultural heritage) and personal (Moth style or longer form) stories. The workshop is at the Unitarian Chapel in the woods and culminates in a (voluntary) free public performance at Klockow Brewing, Grand Rapids, MN. Limited to 12 participants.
Weekend 1- Grand Rapids Unitarian Chapel
Friday, September 12, 7:00 – 8:30 PM
Saturday, September 13, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Weekend 2- Grand Rapids Unitarian Chapel
Friday, September 19, 7:00 – 8:30 PM
Saturday, September 20, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Saturday evening concert 7:00 – 8:30 PM at Klockow Brewing, Grand Rapids, MN
To register: