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StoryPillar Series

The Storypillars Series is a trio of events from February-April that strengthens Storytelling Toronto’s covenant with the GTA storytelling community while generating excitement and awareness for the 2026 Toronto International Storytelling Festival.

STORY SLAM presented in partnership with Tales Toronto.

Saturday February 28

7:00-9:30pm
The Palmerston Public Library Theatre

WHAT’S A STORY SLAM?

A story slam is a live storytelling event where a selected group of tellers share a story (6-7 minutes) on a specific theme. The story is shared from memory (no notes!) and a panel of judges will provide feedback and share their impressions of the story. Finally, the audience, by secret ballot, will join the judges in voting to determine a pair of lucky winners. (But after a fun evening of storytelling, everyone’s a winner!)

THEME: “Whoops!” Bad ideas make great stories. Do you have a story about a challenge, mistake, or something downright embarrassing? We want to hear it!

HOW DOES IT WORK?

After each performance, a panel of 3 judges will share their feedback and impressions on the story.

Following the ten stories, there will be an intermission, at which time the audience will vote on a winner from each category. The winners will be determined based on the audience and judges' vote. The lucky winners from each category will receive a cash prize of $100 and a Festival Pass* to the Toronto International Storytelling Festival. (*Some conditions apply)

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Tales of Wisdom

TALES OF WISDOM is a storytelling concert featuring a collection of tellers sharing stories that impart a lasting life lesson. Two editions of the concert will be held: a FICTION TALES edition, and a NON-FICTION TALES edition. The tellers at each event are selected via lottery determined prior to the event.

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TALES OF WISDOM FICTION EDITION

Saturday MARCH 21

7:00-9:30pm
The Palmerston Public Library Theatre

Do you think about “The Tortoise & The Hare” when driving on the 401? Does “The Emperor's New Clothes” come to mind when you read about politics? Then you might have a folk or traditional story that offers an important pearl of wisdom that we’d love to hear.

We are looking for storytellers to share an 8-10 minute FICTION STORY that they feel imparts an important life lesson.

SUBMIT HERE If you would like to be considered as a teller for this event.

Submission Deadline: February 15, 2026

TALES OF WISDOM NON FICTION EDITION

Saturday APRIL 25

7:00-9:30pm
The Palmerston Public Library Theatre

Did junior high embarrassment manifest to adult wisdom? Did heartbreak heal you with personal insight? Bottom line - do you have a true story that has stuck with you your whole life? Then you might have a true WISDOM TALE that we are aching to hear.

We are looking for storytellers to share an 8-10 minute NONFICTION STORY that they feel imparts an important life lesson.

SUBMIT HERE If you would like to be considered as a teller for this event.

Submission Deadline: February 15, 2026

HOW THE LOTTERY WORKS

6 Tellers will be drawn by Lottery for the FICTION TALES EDITION, and 6 Tellers will be drawn by Lottery for the NON-FICTION TALES EDITION.

Each Lottery will consist of TWO separate draws:

PRIORITY LOTTERY: 3 spots will be drawn from a Lottery of Equity-Seeking Artists. Those not drawn will be automatically entered into the SECONDARY LOTTERY consisting of the remainder of the submissions.

ABOUT THE PRIORITY LOTTERY: We are committed to building an inclusive, accessible and diverse storytelling community by ensuring opportunities for Equity-seeking tellers. Equity-Seeking refers to an artist who self-identifies as traditionally underrepresented and under-resourced in performing arts and festival settings. For example, an equity seeking artist may identify as an Indigenous artist, artist of colour, transgender artist, artist with a disability or new Canadian artist.

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