Delaware Online/The News Journal will inspire community connection through a series of events featuring true, personal stories told by the people who live and work here.
Editors and reporters will curate four shows in 2022, 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 www.storytellersproject.com/all-events/ and the newsroom is seeking pitches at www.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.
“When people feel empowered to tell their stories and others feel excited about listening, a community changes,” she 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 at 7 p.m. on March 9 at Theatre N at The Mill,
1007 N. Orange St. in Wilmington.
“We’re excited to bring these events to Delaware and provide an outlet for our residents to share their stories,” said Mike Feeley, executive editor of The News Journal. “Storytellers events around the country have received rave reviews, and we’re pleased to offer an entertainment experience not currently available here.”
The series is returning to 10 sites, from Rochester, New York and Des Moines, Iowa, to Southwest Florida. In 2022, the series is launching in six new cities:
- Wilmington, Delaware
- Austin, Texas
- Columbus, Ohio
- Palm Beach, Florida
- Wilmington, North Carolina
- Worcester, Massachusetts
2022 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.
All shows will be held Theatre N at The Mill in downtown Wilmington.
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 stories 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.
Tickets
Tickets are now on sale for all 2022 shows. Purchase season tickets or individual shows. Seats are limited and typically sell out quickly and far in advance. To reserve yours today, visit www.storytellersproject.com/all-events/.
