The Storytellers Project helps people learn to tell powerful, moving stories.
Join the Arizona Storytellers Project for a night of holiday storytelling, cookies, cocoa and a jolly good time.
In less than two weeks we will be celebrating families and traditions, giving presents and spreading holiday cheer — at least most us. Others may be ringing in the festivities with drinks, costume parties or perhaps forgoing the hubbub all together.
Whichever one you may be, we want to celebrate with you at the Arizona Storytellers Project Holiday Spectacular.
Six people will share stories about the holiday season Wednesday, Dec. 20, and Thursday, Dec. 21, in front of a live audience at the Arizona Biltmore.
Garrett Mitchell, an azcentral.com reporter and Megan Finnerty, founder of the Storytellers Project, will host both evenings. Finnerty will also share a story about how her family knows the "true" meaning of Christmas and how her perception of the holiday has transformed over the years.
"The best feeling ever was when I stopped stressing over Christmas and presents, but a new addition to my family completely changed that and reminded me of something truly special," she says.
Before the show, guests are encouraged to mingle with one another over holiday cookies, hot chocolate and drinks available for purchase at the bar.
One of our storytellers, azcentral.com reporter Rafael Carranza, will share about spending the holiday at the Vatican while covering a story. His experience left him with a new-found sense of religion and the role it has played in his life.
"The holidays can leave you feeling lonely, especially when you’re away from your family, but then you have experiences like this that surprise you in a way you don’t expect," Carranza says.
Kaden Sheffield also learned a valuable lesson during the holiday season. "As a young child growing up in Brooklyn, hearing doo-wop and playing dress-up with my siblings, times can change so quickly and in ways you never expect."Â Â
These stories and more will touch on the highs and lows of the holiday season we all can identify with.
Join us for a night of cheer, laughs, and holiday splendor!
If you go
Self-park is free and is to the west of the property in the convention area. Valet is free, but tips are customary. This show is best for adults and older children who understand the complexities of the holidays.Â
For those guests that are deaf or hard of hearing, Arizona Storytellers is offering captioning on Wednesday, December 20 and ASL interpretation on Thursday, December 21.
Related: Listen to stories from across the country on The Storytellers Project Podcast.Â
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Arizona Storytellers: Holiday Spectacular
When: 7-9 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 20 and 21. Doors open at 6 p.m.
Where: Arizona Biltmore, Grand Ballroom, 2400 E. Missouri Ave., Phoenix.
Admission: $14. Student: $7. Includes hot chocolate and holiday cookies. Full cash bar. (No dinner.)
Supporter Seating: $30. Includes hot chocolate and holiday cookies; priority seating in rows 2-4;Â ticket holders get priority seating on the first two rows AND two free tickets to future Storyteller Project shows.Â
Details: tickets.azcentral.com
To be considered as a storyteller, visit storytellersproject.com and click on "Speak."
To ask about supporting partnerships, contact michael.heller@gannett.com.
Photos: Holiday Spectacular 2016
![Kathy Cano-Murillo, craft designer & author and entrepreneur]()
1 of 42![Megan Finnerty (right), Director of the Storytellers]()
2 of 42![Stacy Sullivan, Community Relations Director at Republic]()
3 of 42![Alexus Rhone, associate producer of the Storytellers]()
4 of 42![Alexus Rhone (left), associate producer of the Storytellers]()
5 of 42![Alexus Rhone, associate producer of the Storytellers]()
6 of 42![Kindra Hall, storyteller and narrative coach at kindrahall.com,]()
7 of 42![ASL interpreter Dawn Schoenberger (right) helps Kindra]()
8 of 42![Kindra Hall, storyteller and narrative coach at kindrahall.com,]()
9 of 42![Kindra Hall, storyteller and narrative coach at kindrahall.com,]()
10 of 42![Kindra Hall, storyteller and narrative coach at kindrahall.com,]()
11 of 42![Dr. Carl Schwartz, psychologist, tells his holiday]()
12 of 42![Dr. Carl Schwartz, psychologist, tells his holiday]()
13 of 42![Dr. Carl Schwartz, psychologist, tells his holiday]()
14 of 42![ASL interpreter Kirsten Nelson helps Dr. Carl Schwartz,]()
15 of 42![Dr. Carl Schwartz (left), psychologist, tells his holiday]()
16 of 42![Dr. Carl Schwartz, psychologist, tells his holiday]()
17 of 42![Kathy Cano-Murillo, craft designer & author and entrepreneur]()
18 of 42![Audience members listen as Kathy Cano-Murillo, craft]()
19 of 42![Kathy Cano-Murillo, craft designer & author and entrepreneur]()
20 of 42![Kathy Cano-Murillo, craft designer & author and entrepreneur]()
21 of 42![Audience members listen as Kathy Cano-Murillo, craft]()
22 of 42![Liz Warren, Director at the South Mountain Community]()
23 of 42![Liz Warren, Director at the South Mountain Community]()
24 of 42![Liz Warren, Director at the South Mountain Community]()
25 of 42![Liz Warren, Director at the South Mountain Community]()
26 of 42![Audience members listen as Liz Warren, Director at]()
27 of 42![Liz Warren, Director at the South Mountain Community]()
28 of 42![Charlie Steak, playwright and actor, tells his holiday]()
29 of 42![Charlie Steak, playwright and actor, tells his holiday]()
30 of 42![Audience members listen as Charlie Steak, playwright]()
31 of 42![Megan Finnerty (right), Director of the Storytellers]()
32 of 42![Calvin Worthen, education consultant and host on radiophonic.org,]()
33 of 42![Calvin Worthen, education consultant and host on radiophonic.org,]()
34 of 42![Calvin Worthen, education consultant and host on radiophonic.org,]()
35 of 42![Elizabeth Wunsch, community teller, tells her holiday]()
36 of 42![Elizabeth Wunsch, community teller, tells her holiday]()
37 of 42![Elizabeth Wunsch, community teller, tells her holiday]()
38 of 42![Audience members listen as Elizabeth Wunsch, community]()
39 of 42![Megan Finnerty (right), Director of the Storytellers]()
40 of 42![Megan Finnerty (right), Director of the Storytellers]()
41 of 42![Audience members get their photos taken before the]()
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