Hop on the storytelling bandwagon and join the legions of people nationwide learning how to take their life experiences and turn them into entertaining stories that can be told in front of an audience. Four 3-hour classes and a final showcase, plus a comp to SpeakeaysDC’s open mic show. Limit 12 to ensure individualized attention. $325.

To pay by check: Make payable to SpeakeasyDC and send to 1525 Newton St, N, Washington, DC 20010. Please include your name, address, email, and phone number, and write the name of the class in the memo.

Mondays, Oct 24, 31, Nov 7, 14, and 21, 2011 from 6:30-9:30pm. First 4 classes will take place at Hillyer Art Space at 9 Hillyer Court, NW Washington, DC 20008 (Near Dupont Metro – North exit)  See map. Final showcase  on class 5 will take place at Axum Restaurant and Lounge at 1934 9th St.NW MAP.

DETAILS - all classes 6:30-9:30pm

Week 1 – Mon, Oct 24– Class– Finding story material + understanding story structure

Week 2 – Mon, Oct 31– Class – Crafting your story + developing characters

Week 3 – Mon, Nov 7 – Class – Editing + polishing

Week 3 – Tu, Nov 8 – Comp to SpeakeasyDC’s monthly show (See Event Listings)

Week 4 – Mon, Nov 14 – Class – Practicing your story + Reviewing performance technique

Week 5 – Mon, Nov 21 – FINAL SHOWCASE - This is your chance to try your story out on a friendly invite-only audience of friends and family. Final showcase  on class 5 will take place at Axum Restaurant and Lounge at 1934 9th St.NW MAP.

[DDET Refund Policy] SpeakeasyDC does not give refunds (full or partial) for voluntary withdrawal from the class. There are limited slots in the class so that we may give sufficient attention to each student. Because of this, we typically have to turn people away. Should you choose to withdraw, we will have a vacancy that we can no longer fill. [/DDET]

[DDET Class description]

This class is designed to teach the art of developing and performing an original, personal narrative drawn from real-life experience. We facilitate the storytelling process from beginning to end with each session centering on a step in the process. Students who join the class come from varied backgrounds and have different goals and applications. Some hope to perform on a SpeakeasyDC stage, others have found storytelling useful in the work they do, and others just enjoy the creative process and the community. There are 2 instructors and we cap this class at 12 to maintain a 6:1 ratio of student to teacher. [/DDET]

[DDET More about the curriculum]

In this class, you will:

• learn how to find raw story material from your own memories and experiences
• discuss the fundamentals of story structure
• discover effective storytelling techniques
• apply story techniques and structure to your own story
• receive honest and thorough feedback from instructors and students
• have the opportunity to practice your storyelling and perform in front of an audience
• learn how to coach and support your peers in the story-creation process
• hear a lot of great stories and watch yours and your classmates’ stories take shape over the four weeks
• become part of a wonderful network of people with shared interests and knowledge

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[DDET Comments from alumni of SpeakeasyDC classes]

Taking the Storytelling 101 class was one of the best things I’ve ever done. Very talented and encouraging instructors helped us construct meaningful presentations of our true stories. I was taken by surprise by the feelings of connectedness that true storytelling brings about, and what a growing experience it was. I keep telling everyone I know to do this! –posted by kk3

I’ve had the great opportunity to participate in a class, an open mic, and a performance workshop with Speak Easy DC and in each event I took away a whole difference set of skills and “tricks of the trade”. I would highly recommend the experience to anyone wanting to learn how to craft an engaging story and/or learn to perform your work on stage. Not only is the crafting processes enjoyable, but you will never find a more embracing and accepting audience to present your work than those that attend the Speak Easy shows. I truly believe that Speak Easy DC is an exceptional NGO that affords novices and practiced storytellers alike with the opportunity to share their stories and grow as artists. — posted by jarkarta1

I’m about to take my second class with Speakeasy and I’m very excited. I learned so much on the first go around and many of my fellow classmates ended up telling their fantastic stories at open mic. What an entertaining evening…I laughed, I cheered, I cried and I can’t wait to go back again! — posted by ter

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[DDET Detailed directions and parking info to venue]

Metered parking is available, but may be tough to find. A lot of embassy spots open up right at 6:30, so if you aim to arrive by 6:30pm you can sometimes get lucky. You’ll have an easier time taking the Red line to Dupont. Exit on the North/Q st. side. Hillyer Art Space entrance is in in what looks like a parking lot.

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