The Storytellers Project coming to Columbus
In 2022, The Columbus Dispatch will inspire community connection through a series of events featuring true, personal stories told by the people who live and work here.
Dispatch editors and reporters will curate quarterly shows for The Storytellers Project, coaching 20 people from the community to develop entertaining, compelling stories that reflect on the themes growing up, neighbors, food and family, and holidays.
Tickets are on sale now at storytellersproject.com and the newsroom is seeking pitches from storytellers at storytellersproject.com/tell/. “We are so excited to pass the mic in communities across America, inviting everyday people to tell their own stories in front of their neighbors,” said Megan Finnerty, founder and director of the Storytellers Project, part of the USA TODAY Network.
The Columbus Storytellers Project, which is part of the Dispatch newsroom, is dedicated to the idea that oral storytelling and journalism can come together to serve and reflect a community while fostering empathy. Every Storytellers event blends the authenticity of storytelling with the truthfulness, community building and empowerment at the heart of great journalism.
“When people feel empowered to tell their stories and others feel excited about listening, a community changes,” Finnerty said. “People feel closer to each other. They feel more accepting of those unlike themselves. They feel more connected to their city and the people in it.”
Since its launch in 2011 at the Arizona Republic in Phoenix, the Storytellers Project has helped more than 6,000 people tell brief, personal stories on stages in front of more than 60,000 people. And during the pandemic, the shows were aired online, reaching millions since March 2020. In 2022, it will be part of 17 USA TODAY Network newsrooms.
“Growing Up” will kick off the series on March 9. Tickets are $8 and $12.
“This is a natural extension of what The Dispatch does every day – telling the stories of people in Greater Columbus,” said Alan D. Miller, editor of The Dispatch. “At these events, people with great
stories to tell have the opportunity to tell them in their own words.
“Everyone has a story to tell, and we’re excited about helping some of them share their stories – and for Columbus to hear them,” Miller said.
The series is returning to 11 cities. New markets include:
h Austin, Texas
h Columbus, Ohio
h Palm Beach, Florida
h Wilmington, Delaware
h Wilmington, North Carolina
h Worcester, Massachusetts
2022 Storyteller Project season
March 9: Growing Up – You’ll feel energized, inspired, and maybe a bit nostalgic as we share stories about growth.
June 8: Neighbors – You’ll feel heartened, uplifted, and more connected to the world and people around you as we share stories from the neighborhood.
Sept. 14: Food and Family – You’ll feel full of warmth, hopeful, and a wee bit sentimental as we share stories about food and our family traditions.
Nov. 16: Holidays – You’ll feel comforted and ready for loved ones, presents, and the lights of the season as we share stories about the holidays.
Become a Storyteller
We are looking for storytellers from all backgrounds who are willing to share their hearts, and jokes, with their neighbors. Tellers work with storytelling coaches to shape their true, first-person story around the theme of the night. Each story is 7-10 minutes and tellers receive between three and five hours of training to develop their stories.
Tellers begin working with the project coaches about two months before the event, but you can apply now as tellers will be selected in the coming weeks.
Storytellers Project tickets
Tickets are now on sale for all 2022 shows. Purchase season tickets or individual shows. Seats typically sell out quickly and far in advance.
Danae King is a reporter at The Dispatch and serves as the coordinator for the Columbus Storytellers Project. dking@dispatch.com @Danaeking