Arizona Storytellers returns for in-person shows in 2022
Editor's Note: This story was changed to reflect a different theme selected for the first show.
Arizona Storytellers returns in person in 2022, inspiring community connections through a series of nights featuring true stories told by people who live and work in Arizona.
Editors and reporters from The Arizona Republic will curate six shows next year, coaching 30 people from the community to develop entertaining, compelling stories that reflect on the themes of growing up, neighbors, food and family, vacation and holidays.
The year kicks off with a "Love and Heartbreak"-themed show on Feb. 9. All 2022 shows will be held at the Tempe Center for the Arts.
Tickets are on sale now at storytellersproject.com/all-events and the newsroom is seeking pitches at storytellersproject.com/tell.
Republic-sponsored evenings of live storytelling began in 2011 in Phoenix and has since spread to cities nationwide. Around the country, the Storytellers Project has helped more than 6,000 people tell brief, personal stories on stages in front of more than 60,000 people.
During the pandemic, the shows were aired online, reaching millions since March 2020. In 2022, the project will be part of 17 USA TODAY Network newsrooms, including Nashville, Des Moines, Austin and Palm Beach.
“We are so excited to again invite everyday Arizonans 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. 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.”
2022 season
Feb. 9: Love and Heartbreak — You’ll feel the joys, heartbreaks and everything that comes with love in all its forms.
April 13: 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.
Aug. 10: Vacations — You’ll feel recharged, rejuvenated, and maybe even have a hint of longing for more as we share stories about time away on vacay.
Oct. 12: 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.
Dec. 14: Holidays — You’ll feel comforted and ready for loved ones, presents, and the lights of the season as we share stories about the holidays.
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 story around the theme of the night. Each story is seven to 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.
Apply to be a storyteller at storytellersproject.com/tell.
Tickets
Tickets are now on sale for most 2022 shows. Purchase season tickets or tickets for individual shows. Seats typically sell out quickly and far in advance. To reserve yours today, visit storytellersproject.com/all-events.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: AZ Storytellers returns to live shows in 2022 with February kickoff
