Story club fosters connections

When “Blair Witch Project” producer Robin Cowie founded Orlando Story Club in 2014, he wanted to connect to the community. He had moved back to Central Florida from Los Angeles to be close to his ill mother.

“This was a great opportunity to bring people together during a time I really needed them,” he said. “I love the raw essence of people standing up and sharing their experiences. I had competed in The Moth storytelling evenings in Los Angeles, and there was nothing like it in Orlando.”

Then he realized he could connect the evening with a cause. So all the money from an Orlando Story Club evening goes to support a charity.

“It all connected — experience, community and giving,” Cowie said. “It helped me personally through my mother’s sickness and passing while also entertaining and helping others in the community.”

The Orlando Story Club delivers “Best of 2017” on Wednesday in downtown Orlando. The charity partner is ArtReach Orlando, which empowers children through arts projects.

The story club evening, held on a Wednesday every other month, has been produced by the Downtown Arts District for two years. The regulars range from amateurs to professionals.

“When you come to a story club event, you’ll hear a lot of first-time storytellers,” said Barbara Hartley, the district’s executive director. “You’ll hear thought-through stories by people who make a living telling stories.”

The formula is always 10 stories, and anywhere from 10 to 30 storytellers can show up.

People come ready to tell a story, but don’t know if they will be selected. They put their names in a hat, and 10 are chosen. (For the “Best of 2017” edition, the 10 storytellers are set.)

“The stories are true to the storyteller,” Hartley said. “There’s some embellishment at times.”

The theme is advertised beforehand and usually aligns with the charity. With Pet Alliance, the topic was “Into the Wild.” Other evenings have benefited Zebra Coalition, Second Harvest Food Bank and Orlando Boys & Girls Club. The “Best of 2017” theme is “Best Day Ever.”

The storytellers perform for three randomly selected judges, who choose first-, second- and third-place winners.

The audience ranges in size from 75 to 200, Hartley said, and anyone can share their thoughts on index cards. Those comments may be read by hosts Bob Wesley and Danielle Ziss.

“It’s really fun to come and experience, whether you tell a story or listen,” Hartley said. “You make new friends. It’s a great venue, it’s rewarding to help the causes and have a new experience. You hear stories on the spectrum of emotion. So it can be funny, sad, something that’s relatable.”

Founder Cowie originally hosted and attends as often as he can.

“It’s wonderful,” he said. “We have built this family feeling, and there are so many talented storytellers in Orlando. I am forever in debt to the hilarious Bobby Wesley and Danielle Ziss and the remarkable people who run the Downtown Arts District. They have done a brilliant job of growing and nourishing it.”