Holding an event in your home, neighbourhood, local bookstore, or community centre is easy! Just follow these tips and you are on your way.
Tips for a Successful Storytelling Event
Pick an inspiring venue! Your home, local library, school gym or a bookstore are all great locations for a storytelling event.
Make sure that the venue is quiet and clean with good lighting and comfortable seating.
Invite children and families from your community, and be sure to give them plenty of notice and time to prepare their performances!
If you would like to open your event up to the public, post it on our event calendar.
Recommend stories as ideas for the children. You can find some wonderful selections on our recommended books list.
Encourage children to take ownership of the stories they choose by telling them in their own way, in their own language, altering and adapting them as they choose.
Remind the children to practise telling their stories before your event.
Visit our Resources for helpful materials and information for your event.
At your event, set up a ‘storytelling space’ with a chair, water, and plenty of room to demonstrate with chairs or pillows for the audience to sit in and watch.
Make sure to have parents bring their video cameras to record and upload their children’s performances onto the competition YouTube page.
Have fun!
Don't forget!
Performances should be folk tales, fairy tales, urban legends or family stories. They may be delivered in rhyme or as spoken narrative but must be performed from memory rather than read aloud. Musical instruments may be featured.
Performances must be individual and no longer than ten minutes. 5-6 minutes is ideal!
Entries should be original interpretations or adaptations of a handed-down ballad or tale.
Children must be no more than 14 years old at the date of entry.
