The Beckwith Theatre Company presents a free Storytelling Workshop
The Beckwith Theatre Company presents a free Storytelling Workshop open to the public on October 18, 2025, from 2-4 PM at the Beckwith Theatre, 100 New York Ave. in Dowagiac, MI.
With storytelling shows selling out nationwide and podcasts featuring real people sharing their stories, now you can learn to tell your own. This two-hour workshop welcomes beginners and experienced storytellers alike in a supportive environment. Whether you're curious about storytelling or pursuing a lifelong dream, no experience is necessary.
Participants can drop in or email jjasper.performs@gmail.com to reserve a spot. The interactive workshop will help attendees develop a personal true story in a fun and safe atmosphere. Please bring a notebook and pen.
Working closely with instructors and fellow participants, attendees will learn to identify "story-worthy" moments from their lives and transform them into compelling narratives with proper structure and elements. The workshop also focuses on developing each person's distinctive voice and style.
Participants may have the opportunity to share their stories with a live audience at a future event. The workshop is led by experienced storytellers Jennifer Jasper and Phil Thornton, and friends are welcome to attend together.
Workshop Details:
- Date: October 18, 2025
- Time: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
- Location: Beckwith Theatre, 100 New York Ave., Dowagiac, MI
- Cost: Free
- Registration: Drop-in welcome or email jjasper.performs@gmail.com
About the Instructors:
Jennifer Jasper is a performer, director, and playwright who has written and performed three solo shows. She co-produced a popular monthly storytelling event in Seattle for four years that raised money for artists in need. She recently relocated to Dowagiac and looks forward to working with local storytellers.
Phil Thornton spent most of his career in education as a teacher, coach, and administrator. In retirement, he has spent over three years launching Story Club SWMI, motivated by his belief in storytelling's power to build community connections.
Contact Information: Beckwith Theatre: BeckwithTheatreMI@gmail.com, (269) 782-7653
Workshop Inquiries: jjasper.performs@gmail.com
“….through stories, we learn from people we know, people we thought we knew, and people we might never meet otherwise. We may start as strangers, but by the end of the story, we are closer – and that is the ultimate point. The act of sharing stories builds empathy, and out of many stories, we become one community.” – “How to Tell a Story: The Essential Guide to Memorable Storytelling From The Moth
