Storytelling Workshops

Once Upon a Time: 10 Things You Need to Know about Storytelling

Kathie Kompass

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Led by Kathie Kompass and Mary Wiggin

When Saturday, November 4, 2023 from 9:30 am to 4:00 pm

Where Parlour Room, Kitchissippi United Church, 630 Island Park Drive

Workshop fee $75 OST members, $85 non-members

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Mary Wiggin

About the Workshop If you want to get people’s attention, tell them a story. A well-told story will draw listeners to you, whether your purpose is to entertain, educate, inform or sell a product or idea. The secret to telling a good story is to learn some of the basics and practice them. In this one-day workshop, you will begin to gain knowledge and confidence as you have an opportunity to:

  • learn how to choose and present a story

  • hear tales from different genres told by experienced tellers

  • try out some memory exercises

  • discover storytelling resources.

In addition, you will have a chance to learn, practice, and present a short, simple story to the rest of the group. 10 participants maximum.

About the Workshop Leaders

Kathie Kompass has been telling stories in English since 1983, and she desires to light a verbal candle, drawing the audience closer. She likes the taste of sharp, keen, vivid words in her mouth. She finds folktales and legends a pleasure to tell. There is mischief and wisdom in those tales. In addition to telling at schools, churches, camps, and many other groups, Kathie has taken part in the Ottawa Storytelling Festival and the Toronto Storytellers Festival. She has told on the 4th Stage of the National Arts Arts Centre and co-chaired the Ottawa Storytelling Festival. Kathie has led the Beginners’ Workshop for OST for 15 years.

For almost 20 years, Mary Wiggin has delighted audiences with her storytelling. She has been a frequent featured teller at the Ottawa StoryTellers’ series at the National Arts Centre and Arts Court, at the Children’s Storytelling Festival and Story Stage. She also tells at a variety of community settings. Mary favours folk and fairy tales with strong characters and sound plots, but listeners should be ready for some surprises. Her no-nonsense style is the perfect set-up for the uncanny and the fantastic.


Solo View stage and audience Sept 11.jpg

Have you signed up for our mailing list? It’s the easiest way to stay informed about OST events and workshops. We also recommend attending either of our online or in-person Storytelling Open Mic or (un)told events to meet storytellers, and even sign up to tell your own stories. Both events are free.