StoryFest 2026
Schedule

NOTE: For descriptions of the sessions and background on the storytellers and presenters, please visit https://storyartsmn.org/storyfest2026

Start of the Day Activities

10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. - Black Box Theater
Youth and Family Track - ASL interpreted
Youth and Family Story Concert
Host: xxx
Tellers:
Trần Thị Minh Phước and the Viet Youth Storytellers Troupe, Peter Stebinger, Pam Schweitzer, Bjorn Long, Brotha Ase (Joshua Gillespie) 

10:30 a.m. -12:00 p.m. - Rehearsal Hall
Paid Workshop (90 minutes)
Conflict: The Beating Heart of Storytelling with Kory May
Please pre-register or sign up and pay at the StoryFest Welcome Table. Same day registration allowed.

10:30 a.m. -12:00 p.m. - Council Chambers
Paid Workshop (90 minutes)
Stories In Progress! An Open Mic and Work Session with Amy Salloway 
Please pre-register or sign up and pay at the StoryFest Welcome Table. Same day registration allowed.

Session #1

11:15 p.m.-12:10 p.m. - Black Box Theater
Daytime Performance
Sue Searing, Janay Green, Larry Johnson, Christopher Nelson

11:15 p.m. - 12:10 p.m. - Dakota
Workshop
Storytelling as Personal Mythology with Loren Niemi

11:15 p.m.-12:10 p.m. - xxx
Workshop
Drawing the Path of Your Story with Margaret Meyers

Lunch Break

12:10 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Please enjoy the food trucks, and the information tables in the lobby

Session #2

1:15 p.m. - 2:10 p.m. - Council Chambers
Workshop
From Anecdote to Story with Dorothy Cleveland

1:15 p.m. - 2:10 p.m. - Black Box Theater
Showcase: Off Kilter
Host: xxx
xxx
xxx
xxxs 
xxx
xxx

1:15 p.m. - 2:10 p.m. - Rehearsal Space
Daytime Performance
Host: xxx
Kate Button
Leif Wallin
Julie Gustafson
Margret Meyers
Katie Knutson

1:30 p.m. - 2:25 p.m. - Dakota
Youth and Family Track Workshop
Power of Writing & Retelling Folktales/ Stories of Adventure & Wonder with Trần Thị Minh Phước 

Session #3 

2:30 p.m. -3:30 p.m. - Rehearsal Hall
Daytime Performance
Host: xxx
Christine Mounts
Amy Salloway
Ann Reay
Yarrow Knittel 

2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. - Black Box Theater - ASL Interpreted
Youth and Family Concert  /  Open Mic for Youth 3:30pm  
Host: xxx
Pam Schweitzer
Trần Thị Minh Phước and the Asian Youth Tellers
Bjorn Long
Peter Stebinger
Brotha Ase

2:40 p.m. - 3:40 p.m. - Council Chambers
Daytime Performance
Host: xxx
Elaine Wynne
Dorothy Cleveland
VickiJoan Keck
J.Emily Peabody
Laura Packer

2:40 p.m. - 3:40 p.m. - Dakota
Workshop
Tools for Storytelling Business Success with Carol McCormick 

End of the Day Activities

4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. - Black Box Theater
Open Mic (Sign up at the Welcome Table)
Host: Leif Wallin
Music: Sufian Zhemkhov 

5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. - SUPPER BREAK
Explore the many restaurants in the Bloomington area.

7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. - Black Box Theater
An Evening of Stories for Adults - ASL interpreted
Host: Daniel Danielle
Music: xxx
Group Sing: Carol McCormick
Tellers: Howard Lieberman, Carol McCormick, Kory May, Sharon Stiteler , Jim Stowell, Kristy Reid