This class is designed for anyone who wants to take their first steps into live storytelling. The aim for each student is to learn the basics of successful storytelling, and to understand how fun, exciting, and satisfying it is to participate in this timeless art. We focus on true stories, told in the first-person — the same kinds of stories heard on the Moth Radio Hour (and, for that matter, at Newburyport’s own popular Full Moon Story Slam). We’ll look at examples from the Moth and from other corners of the storytelling universe, to identify the choices a good storyteller makes. Each student will leave this supporting, encouraging environment with a good story to tell, and with knowledge for getting better at it.

Kurt Mullen is a storyteller, writer, and teacher. He has recently filmed a story for PBS’s Stories from the Stage. His long-form story “You Don’t Know Jack,” recorded live in Burlington, VT, can be heard on the RISK! True Stories podcast. He won the Audience Choice Award at a story slam at Club Passim in Cambridge, hosted by the MassMouth organization. And he won a Full Moon Story Slam at The Actors Studio of Newburyport. Kurt began his writing career as a beat reporter for a daily newspaper in Virginia. He worked on and contributed to Encarta Africana, an encyclopedia of the African diaspora, edited by Henry Louis Gates, Jr., at Harvard University, and then at Microsoft in Redmond, WA. He has written features and essays for Powder, Paddler, Canoe & Kayak, Berkshire, and many other magazines.

His fiction has been featured by the Liars’ League of NYC, and has appeared in Bull, Flash Fiction Magazine, and 101words.org. Kurt loves to teach, and previously taught Creative Nonfiction writing for the Newburyport Adult Education program.

Fee: $150     Sign Up
Sunday’s April 19, 26 & May 3, 10
Call 978-465-1229 or e-mail info@newburyportacting.org to register.

Also – See Classes page for details.