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About Storytelling Toronto

Storytelling Toronto was brought to life in 1979 as the Storytellers' School of Toronto. It was founded by seven storytellers who wanted to encourage the renaissance of oral storytelling in modern society.

The very first program offered was a storytelling course taught by the late Alice Kane, and ever since the organization has continued to teach, explore, and celebrate the traditional art of oral storytelling. Over the years thousands of people have taken our courses, taken part in our workshops, attended our programs, and even more have come to the Toronto Storytelling Festival — enjoying stories told by local, national, and international storytellers.

From experienced, seasoned elders to young tellers experimenting with the nature of spoken narrative. Storytelling Toronto is Toronto's home for oral storytelling — convening its communities, championing its artists, and celebrating a living tradition that connects, heals, and brings this city together.

A Toronto where oral storytelling has the power to change us, connect us, heal us, share and preserve culture and history.

Meet our Staff

Justin Shaw

Artistic Director

justinshaw@storytellingtoronto.org

Sunshine Paddy

Arts Administrator

admin@storytellingtoronto.org

Mora Olubobokun

Financial Administrator

accounts@storytellingtoronto.org

Kesha Christie

StoryTent Coordinator

Kesha@storytellingtoronto.org

Christel Bartelse

Course Coordinator

christel.bartelse@storytellingtoronto.org

Meet our Board of Directors

Lynn Torrie

Board Chair

lynntorrie@storytellingtoronto.org

Rob Thompson

Secretarty

robthompson@storytellingtoronto.org

Heather Walsh

Treasurer

treasurer@storytellingtoronto.org

Asha Jalan

ashajalan@storytellingtoronto.org

Madhav Kochunni

madackochunni@storytellingtoronto.org

Laurie Malabar

lauriemalabar@storytellingtoronto.org

Sunanda Sridhar

Sunandasridhar@storytellingtoronto.org

Martin Thumm

Martinthumm@storytellingtoronto.org

Chandrasekar Venkataraman

Chandrasekarvenkataraman@storytellingtoronto.org

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Our By-laws

Our Anti-Violence and Aniti-Harassment Policy

Land Acknowledgment

Storytelling Toronto acknowledges that we perform our events, concerts, and teach our courses on the traditional territories of the Anishnabe, Wendat, Haudenasounee and the Mississaugas of the Credit, the original nations and caretakers of this land.

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