Clients

In a survey of ten of SpeakeasyDC's clients 100% of respondents were likely to hire SpeakeasyDC again and to recommend SpeakeasyDC to another business. Respondents included Inter-American Development Bank, The Peace Corps, Temple Shalom, Arkansas State Arts Council, Linden Rescources, National Assembly of State Arts Agencies, Humanities Council of Washington, DC, and the NonProfit Roundtable. We have also worked with Chemonics International, Docs in Progress, the Meyer Foundation, the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network, Deloitte & Touche, Meridian Institute, University of Maryland, Georgetown University, Montgomery College, and others. Below is a sample of programs we've offered to some of our clients and reviews.

The Inter-American Development Bank

IDB has contracted SpeakeasyDC several times to prepare their field staff to tell a story for an internal audience of colleagues within the Bank. The goal of these events is to promote a better understanding of the work of the Bank, encourage a culture of knowledge-sharing, and improve communications and relations among colleagues.

Desired outcome (for those who complete the entire four-hour training):

SpeakeasyDC's instructors will guide people to identify meaningful and symbolic narrative evenst from which to build a true, autobiographical story; apply a narrative structure; and leave with the tools and tips to continue developing their story for the final presentation.

Program components:

Part 1: Two-hour presentation for up to 25 participants that covers the basics of narrative structure, storytelling technique, and story-finding exercises through a combination of lecture, demonstration, and interactive exercises.
Part 2: Two-hour session with up to 9 participants in three break-out groups with three per group. This portion requires three trainers and allows for each person to recieve 30 minutes of individualized attention to work on the story they plan to tell at the final event.

Below are two samples of stories that were developed through the process described above and presented at the IDB final event.

The Peace Corps - Casting & coaching customized show w/ community participants

The Peace Corps contracted SpeakeasyDC to develop a customized performance for their 50th Anniversary. SpeakeasyDC staff scouted for and vetted stories and coached each participant one-on-one. The event featured eight prepared stories by Returned Peace Corps Volunteers and an open mic portion. Below are a couple reviews. They have also contracted SpeakeasyDC to lead a 6-hour Storytelling Boot Camp on-site for twelve staff members.