I like to tell a good story. I like to hear a good story. And I particularly like working with people to help them find a story in their life they want to tell. A well crafted story isn't just for telling a story on a stage, it can help you regale your friends at a party, liven up your presentations, impress on a date or at a job interview. I also work with organizations to tell the story behind statistics and data, because a story well told is powerful and can confirm a truth that deepens an audience’s understanding of an issue. In my interactive storytelling workshops I help participants craft their stories until they feel confident and excited to share them with others.
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*You can hear some of my stories here. *Check out my artist feature in Brava Magazine. *Check out a feature in the Isthmus newspaper on the storytelling workshop I led in Oak Hill Correctional Facilities *I produce stories for Love Wisconsin, a statewide digital storytelling organization. I am slowly working my way through the book, For Love and Money, featuring some of the multi-generational family owned small businesses. Skinner lumber is a five genations horse logging business. Nina's Department Store has been around for 105 years. |
A conversation with Dasha Kelly Hamilton, Milwaukee Poet Laurette
about life between the lines. |
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STORYTELLING WORKSHOPS:
I have led storytelling workshops at the Arts and Literature Laboratory, Odyssey Project, Oak Hill Correctional Facilities, Edgewood College, Sustain Dane, University of Wisconsin Continuing Education, Writers Institute, Write by the Lake, Center for Community and Nonprofit Studies, the UW Nelson Institute, Chazen Museum, Bridge the Divide, and the Madison Public library. |
What students have said about my storytelling workshops:
"Jen Rubin makes storytelling look easy, but she knows it's not. As a teacher, she offers an easy-to-follow framework for building successful stories and generously shares the tips she's learned over the years. She also expertly helps students tease out their own stories -- even when they don't think they have anything to share -- and massage the final product. She is warm, funny and encouraging."
"Jen Rubin’s workshop provided exactly what I needed to move from writing to live storytelling. Her workshop drilled down on the important beats a storyteller must hit to tell a story that resonates with an audience. After completing the workshop, I had the confidence to tell a story at The Moth in Madison. I was moved by the incredible audience reaction I received. I’m now addicted to live storytelling, thanks to Jen’s workshop."
"I always thought storytelling was something some people could do but not me. After just two sessions with Jen I was able to tell a story I didn't even realize I wanted to tell. It was liberating! Jen breaks it down to make storytelling approachable, super interesting, and fun."
"Jen Rubin makes storytelling look easy, but she knows it's not. As a teacher, she offers an easy-to-follow framework for building successful stories and generously shares the tips she's learned over the years. She also expertly helps students tease out their own stories -- even when they don't think they have anything to share -- and massage the final product. She is warm, funny and encouraging."
"Jen Rubin’s workshop provided exactly what I needed to move from writing to live storytelling. Her workshop drilled down on the important beats a storyteller must hit to tell a story that resonates with an audience. After completing the workshop, I had the confidence to tell a story at The Moth in Madison. I was moved by the incredible audience reaction I received. I’m now addicted to live storytelling, thanks to Jen’s workshop."
"I always thought storytelling was something some people could do but not me. After just two sessions with Jen I was able to tell a story I didn't even realize I wanted to tell. It was liberating! Jen breaks it down to make storytelling approachable, super interesting, and fun."
What organizations have said about my storytelling workshops:
"Working with Jen and Takeyla during our storytelling workshops and story slam was exciting. We believe that storytelling is a fundamental piece in the sustainability movement and Jen helped us move that vision to a more concrete reality. Her workshops were well thought out and engaging. Our participants felt they had more tools to tell their stories. It is great to see how the art of storytelling is becoming a great tool for social and environmental change and I’m excited to see Jen as part of that movement.” Gloria Castillo, Sustain Dane
"Jen's been fun and knowledgeable facilitator to collaborate with on story telling workshops. She has an approachable way to explain the story telling process and teach the mechanics to writers and wrote tellers of all levels of experience. Working with her I've learned some creative ways to apply story telling and editing to workshops to help others bring out the best in their stories." Takeyla Benton, We Write Too
"Working with Jen and Takeyla during our storytelling workshops and story slam was exciting. We believe that storytelling is a fundamental piece in the sustainability movement and Jen helped us move that vision to a more concrete reality. Her workshops were well thought out and engaging. Our participants felt they had more tools to tell their stories. It is great to see how the art of storytelling is becoming a great tool for social and environmental change and I’m excited to see Jen as part of that movement.” Gloria Castillo, Sustain Dane
"Jen's been fun and knowledgeable facilitator to collaborate with on story telling workshops. She has an approachable way to explain the story telling process and teach the mechanics to writers and wrote tellers of all levels of experience. Working with her I've learned some creative ways to apply story telling and editing to workshops to help others bring out the best in their stories." Takeyla Benton, We Write Too