Inspired by Desmond Tutu’s words, “My humanity is bound up in yours, for we can only be human together,” the Untold Stories of Storied People program illuminates personal narratives that are too often silenced or overlooked. These performances go beyond storytelling—they serve as tools for collective healing and transformative justice, offering storytellers a space to be truly seen and heard while fostering empathy in audiences who bear witness to their experiences.
The program, created by Storytelling Arts, celebrates the power of storytelling as a means to provide cultural insights and deepen our shared humanity. Our mission is to amplify voices from underrepresented communities, creating safe spaces where stories of struggle, resilience, and triumph can be shared.
Partnering with socially conscious arts organizations, we cultivate environments where diverse storytellers can develop and share their narratives. Our training sessions are designed to be culturally relevant, especially for Black and Brown communities, incorporating practices like non-violent communication, restorative justice, and traditional storytelling techniques.
Each month, storytellers participate in Story Lab sessions, where they receive personalized and group training to refine their stories and prepare for performances. Our program also includes opportunities for emerging artists, providing them with platforms to grow and showcase their work across various venues in New Jersey.
Untold Stories fosters empathy and civic engagement, bringing communities together through the power of storytelling, with performances and discussions that explore themes of triumph, grief, transformation, and connection.
Meet the Untold Storytellers
Upcoming Events
StoryLab Workshops
StoryLab workshops are creative sessions designed to help participants develop and refine their storytelling skills. These workshops typically focus on story development, performance techniques, and personal expression. At Storytelling Arts, the StoryLab workshops are a key component of the Untold Stories of Storied People initiative, which aims to amplify the voices of BIPOC, women, LGBTQIA individuals, and other underrepresented communities.
Through these workshops, participants have the opportunity to:
- Explore personal narratives
- Receive guidance from professional storytellers
- Collaborate with other creatives in a supportive environment
- Work towards creating compelling stories that may be featured in public performances
- StoryLabs are not only about improving storytelling skills but also about fostering a sense of community and personal growth through the art of storytelling.
Do you have UNTOLD STORIES to tell?
Join us at a StoryLab!
Storytelling Arts invites you to join the Untold Stories Collective, a space for storytellers to develop and share personal narratives. As part of the Collective, you’ll:
- Participate in monthly Story Lab workshops to enhance your storytelling and performance skills
- Work with professional storytellers from Storytelling Arts
- Receive mentorship from guest artists and Collective members
- Share your story with audiences across NJ
We encourage BIPOC, women, LGBTQIA individuals, and people of all level of storytelling abilities to join. Simply come to the Story Lab sessions and become part of this vibrant community of storytellers!
Sign Up!:
Join the collective. Click on the button below to stay in the loop
Untold Stories Testimonials
“I was blown away by the Untold Stories event! It represents EXACTLY the kind of community engagement that we are looking to be doing more of. I was so proud to be connected to the project and to support Storytelling Arts and the amazing storytellers.” Tom Werder, Morris Arts Executive Director
“This program is certainly a model that can connect testimonies of community members that lead to collective healing and transformation. I was thoroughly impressed with the vulnerability each storyteller shared and how they were willing to support one another in their creative process as well.” Deonte Griffin-Quick, Director of Programs and Services, NJ Theatre Alliance, Guest Theatre Curator, ArtYard
“Being here today, listening to these people and their stories, it gives me impetus and fills me to want to be able to do more for myself – to know myself better, to trust myself better.” Untold Story Audience Member
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: If you have any questions about the Untold Stories of Storied People Project please contact Vivian CR James, Executive Director at vivian@storytellingartsinc.org.