Story Crossroads: The Newsletter Volume 10, Issue 34
Welcome to a short, more direct weekly newsletter * Week 1: Story of the Month - links with membership * Week 2: Upcoming
Events * Week 3: Cap's Off to You! - people/organization profiles * Week 4: Past & Future News
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Coordinating three 10-week programs simultaneously
We’re thrilled to have three 10-week storytelling programs led by talented individuals, expanding the reach of Story Crossroads beyond its familiar face, Rachel Hedman. These dedicated mentors make it possible to teach the art of storytelling in meaningful ways. Chris Morrison and KC Bailey, with coordination from Alyson Kyle and Patti White, launched our first-ever Story Crossroads Mentee Program, training newcomers to
storytelling while leading an after-school program at Moss Elementary starting January 22, 2025. Volunteers report that the “Chillin’ Guys” Storytelling Club is eager to perform. They’ve spent three weeks on Story Selection, are now diving into Story Structure, and will soon focus on Performance Skills. Cherie Davis and Ginger Parkinson continue a four-year collaboration with Glendale Community Center, Mountain View Elementary, and Glendale Library starting February 10, 2025. Thanks to support from Zoo, Arts & Parks of Salt Lake County, SLC Arts
Council, and Dry Creek Foundation, this program has grown from six to ten weeks. Laurie Allen leads another
four-year partnership with Summit Vista senior living center, aiming for a group of 10 to enhance coaching starting February 18, 2025. Most participants are new, with a few returning from the beginning. Thanks to support from the Utah Division of Arts and Museums and E.A. Michelson Philanthropy, their showcase will be filmed and incorporated into our 2025 Summit & Festival.
Collaborating efforts with Future Problem Solving (FPS)
Story Crossroads, Granite School District, and Future Problem Solving (FPS) are collaborating to integrate storytelling and problem-solving into
classrooms. FPS challenges students to analyze global issues set 20–30 years in the future, using a structured six-step process to propose solutions. Competitions include creative writing, service projects, and scenario analysis on topics like food security and nanotechnology. Storytelling, introduced 12 years ago, has become a key component, with Utah students excelling in video-based submissions at the international level. Granite School District is planning on a 10-week storytelling program planned for Fall 2025. A presentation to about 16 teachers will feature a Story Crossroads youth teller alongside an FPS participant on March 6, 2025.
Teachers will be encouraged to integrate storytelling into their curriculum, selecting student work for competition. On February 19, 2025, we finalized some logistics, including collaborating on a 2-page handout (one side Story Crossroads, other side FPS), to encourage teacher participation, budgeting, event coordination, and ensuring a structured program that fosters creativity and critical thinking. |
The Sizzling Splendor issue is now open for
submissions! We’re looking for stories, articles, and artwork—whether theme-related or not—due by May 15, 2025. Do you have a tale about how you "survived your art," whether through an embarrassing mishap or a strange encounter? Or perhaps a true, original, or folkloric story that ties into Sizzling Splendor? We’d love to see your work! In the meantime, keep an eye out for the Growing Gab issue, launching on March 15, 2025. Whirling Winds and all other past
issues are available now. Though separate from Story Crossroads, this free e-publication is available worldwide. You can find all the details at storybeast.org. Notably, the Story Crossroads Executive Director spearheaded this initiative, working with an incredible team to bring it to life.
On February 15, 2025, storytellers and educators joined Liz Weir for a virtual workshop focused on engaging older audiences and individuals living with dementia. She shared essential strategies, including understanding venues, setting expectations, building rapport, incorporating memory-building exercises,
using artifacts for reminiscence, and adapting to the unexpected. Participants left feeling inspired and empowered. This workshop, along with past ones, is available to order at storycrossroads.org/AllThingsStory. On February 20, 2025, Debora Escalante brought to life the incredible story of Virginia Hall, a WWII spy who defied expectations and danger. Despite losing part of her leg, Hall became the first British intelligence officer to operate behind enemy lines in Vichy France. Known as “La Dame Qui Boite” (The Lady Who Limps), she evaded the Gestapo, led resistance fighters, and played a key role in the D-Day invasion. Escalante’s presentation proved that
history’s real heroes rival any fiction. You can explore past streams--like this one--as well as the upcoming house concerts at http://storycrossroads.org/HouseConcerts.
As for future events, we have at least two every month. We have Kiran Singh Sirah teaching a virtual workshop (March 1). Elizabeth Gibson will be performing for our 90th House Concert (March 28). You can register for our hybrid Summit & Festival (May 5-8).
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Enjoy this interview with Kiran Singh Sirah of what to expect with her virtual workshop on March 1, 2025. See more videos at our YouTube Channel.
If you or someone you know has a story video that you want us to see, then let us know by emailing info@storycrossroads.org.
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Story Crossroads - 501(c)(3) - To foster creative and compassionate communities through the art of storytelling.
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