Ottawa StoryTellers Workshops
At Ottawa StoryTellers, we believe everyone has a story worth sharing. Our workshops are designed to help you discover the power of your own voice, build confidence in your storytelling, and connect deeply with your audience. Whether you’re a seasoned performer or a complete beginner, our workshops offer practical tools, supportive guidance, and a welcoming space to explore the art of storytelling.
From personal narratives to professional development, our sessions nurture creativity, improve communication skills, and celebrate the rich tradition of storytelling in all its forms.
OST Storytelling Workshops
These workshops are the heart of our community programming.
Open to storytellers of all levels, they focus on foundational storytelling skills like crafting compelling narratives, engaging your listeners, and refining your delivery. Perfect for adults who want to develop their personal stories or take their storytelling to the next level in a friendly, inclusive environment.
Stories Start Here: A Beginner Storytelling Workshop Series
Saturday, May 16 (Storytelling Part 2) Time: Noon–5:00 PM
Ottawa Public Library - Sunnyside Ottawa, ON
Stories Start Here is Ottawa StoryTellers’ three-part beginner storytelling workshop series for people who are new to storytelling and want a clear, supportive place to begin. This marks our first beginner workshop series of 2026, and spaces are limited.
Designed as a progressive series, each session builds on the last, giving participants time to explore, develop, and grow their storytelling skills over several months. Across three workshops, participants will be introduced to the foundations of oral storytelling, including the importance of storytelling traditions and the core skills behind compelling personal stories. Together, we will explore how stories are shaped, how narrative structure works, and how storytellers engage a room and bring a story to life.
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This series is designed for beginners. No prior experience is required, and participants are never required to perform. You are encouraged to attend all three sessions to get the full benefit of the series, as concepts and exercises introduced early will continue to develop in later workshops.
Participants may bring a story they would like to work on throughout the series or simply arrive ready to learn, listen, and experiment in a welcoming, low-pressure environment.
This series is ideal for anyone curious about storytelling, interested in personal narrative, or looking for a creative outlet that emphasizes learning, exploration, and community. Previous beginner workshops have filled quickly, so early registration is strongly recommended.
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Coming soon.
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Saturday, March 14 (Personal Stories)
Time: Noon–3:00 PM
Saturday, April 11 (General Storytelling)Time: Noon–3:00 PM
Saturday, May 16 (Storytelling Part 2)Time: Noon–5:00 PM
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Free to attend.
Use the button below to register or go to: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/stories-start-here-tickets-1981873100795?aff=ebdsshcopyurl&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp
SPACE: Commanding the Room
An Advanced Workshop Series
From award winning actor and storyteller Pierre Brault comes a three part series of workshops that you make take as one-offs or all three to enhance your skills as a storyteller!
Confidence, focus, and control on stage
Saturday, June 13, 2026
Time: 12:00pm to 2:00pmLaurel Room, Hintonburg Community Centre, 1064 Wellington St. W, Ottawa, ON K1Y 2Y3
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This session focuses on how storytellers use space to guide an audience’s attention and maintain control of the room, even in the most stripped-down settings.
You’ll explore:
Eye contact as narrative control
When to move and when to stay still
Working simply with (or without) props
Recovering gracefully when something goes off-script
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This workshop stands on its own for anyone looking to build stage confidence or prepare for live performance. As the final part of the series, it brings STORY and BODY together into a confident, grounded stage presence.
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Pierre Brault is an Ottawa based actor, playwright, stand-up comedian and teacher. He has appeared in numerous films and has also worked extensively as a comedian touring regularly across Canada. Pierre is the recipient of the inaugural Audrey Ashley Award for his body of work contribution to the Ottawa theatre scene.
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Drawing on practical tools from theatre, this series focuses on strengthening oral storytelling by helping participants clarify what their story is really about, embody it with intention, and deliver it confidently in front of an audience. The emphasis is always on authenticity, simplicity, and connection—not performance tricks or embellishment.
Each workshop can be taken as a stand-alone session, but together they form a clear progression:
STORY sharpens the narrative. (February 28)
BODY grounds the storyteller. (April 11 - Noon-2pm)
SPACE builds confidence on stage. (June 13 - Noon-2pm)
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Saturday, June 13th
Time: 12:00pm to 2:00pm -
This series is ideal for emerging and experienced storytellers looking to deepen their craft, improve stage presence, or prepare for live performance in a way that respects the tradition of storytelling while quietly strengthening performance skills.
Cost per session: $40.00
To register or go to:
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/ottawastorytellers/2054794or use the button below.
Workshop Facilitator Pierre Brault is an Ottawa based actor, playwright, stand-up comedian and teacher.