Description
Two Saturdays, Nov 14 & 21, 10:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m (plus a live showcase on Nov 29, 1:30–4:00 p.m.—see below for details)
Open to all
Limited to 12 participants
Hybrid workshop* (live showcase is in person only)
You’ve lived the story. Now learn how to tell it!
Whether you’re an aspiring storyteller, hoping to perform at storytelling events such as Confabulation, The Moth, or community storytelling showcases, or simply looking for a meaningful way to shape and share your lived experiences, this workshop will help you transform a personal story into one that resonates with an audience.
Over two interactive days, you’ll develop a true personal story of seven minutes or less through guided writing, editing, discussion, peer feedback, and performance coaching. Together, we’ll explore what makes audiences lean in: a compelling narrative arc, vivid details, emotional honesty, and a clear sense of purpose.
You’ll leave with a polished personal story, practical storytelling tools you can use again and again, and the confidence to share your work with an audience.
The workshop culminates in a live storytelling showcase where participants will perform their finished stories before an invited audience of family, friends, and members of the community, giving participants a little over a week after the workshop to continue refining and rehearsing their stories. The showcase will take place on Sunday, November 29, 1:30–4:00 p.m., in Room 2 of Centre Sanaaq in Downtown Montreal (1200 Rue du Sussex, Montréal, QC H3H 0E3). Participants are expected to arrive at 1:30 p.m., with the showcase proper starting at 2:00 p.m.
Please note that the storytelling showcase is in person only.
What You’ll Learn
By the end of the workshop, participants will:
- Discover the heart of a personal story and why it matters.
- Shape lived experience into a compelling narrative with a clear beginning, middle, and end.
- Edit for clarity, pacing, and emotional impact without sacrificing authenticity.
- Learn techniques that strengthen audience engagement and connection.
- Develop greater confidence telling stories aloud.
- Receive constructive feedback from peers and the facilitator.
- Prepare a polished seven-minute story for the live storytelling showcase.
Workshop Schedule
Day One — Discovering and Crafting Your Story
10:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (including a 20-minute break)
We’ll begin by exploring the stories participants have brought with them before identifying the heart of each narrative. Through discussion, examples, and guided exercises, participants will learn how to shape lived experience into a compelling story by strengthening structure, pacing, detail, and emotional impact. The afternoon will focus on peer workshops, constructive feedback, and revision strategies.
Between sessions, participants will revise their stories independently.
Day Two — Bringing Your Story to Life
10:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (including a 20-minute break)
The second day shifts from the page to the audience. Participants will refine their stories through coaching on voice, pacing, pauses, presence and audience connection while preserving authenticity. We’ll conclude with practice performances, individual feedback, and rehearsal strategies to prepare participants for the live storytelling showcase, which will take place on a separate date following the workshop.
Who Should Apply?
This workshop welcomes writers, performers and anyone interested in transforming lived experience into meaningful storytelling. No previous storytelling or performance experience is required.
Please arrive with one true personal story you would like to develop. This may be:
- a complete story of seven minutes or less; or
- approximately three typed pages describing a lived experience with a clear beginning, middle and end.
Stories should be based on lived experience.
Participants should expect to share their work aloud, offer thoughtful feedback to fellow participants, and revise their stories between the two workshop dates.
Suggested Preparation
Before the workshop, participants are encouraged to watch a few live storytelling performances—such as Confabulation or The Moth—and reflect on a personal experience they feel ready to explore.
*The first two sessions of this workshop will take place at the QWF Office (Room 3, 1200 Atwater Avenue, Westmount, Quebec) with up to 2 virtual spots for participants who are unable to attend in-person because of distance or disability. By default, all workshop registrations are for in-person spots. If you would like to request a virtual slot, contact John at john@qwf.org stating the reason for which you would need the virtual spot, then wait for a response before registering. Please do not register until you receive confirmation of a virtual spot for you.
Please note that the final storytelling showcase is in person only.
Workshop leader
Afreina Noor is a storyteller, performer and communications professional whose work explores identity, belonging, and lived experience. She has performed with Confabulation, Throw Poetry, Montreal Improv Theatre, and other storytelling venues, and is Vice President of Storytellers of Canada – Conteurs du Canada. Professionally, she leads storytelling initiatives that help individuals and communities translate personal experience into social change through organizations including Unsinkable. She was the QWF’s 2025 Mairuth Sarsfield Mentorship recipient. Afreina is passionate about helping people discover, craft, and confidently share stories that connect with audiences.
