What Is Storytelling?

Storytelling is telling stories without books (and usually without props). Storytellers create the stories between themselves and the audience using vocal and facial expression, gesture, posture, and storytelling elements like rhythm, repetition, or call and response.

Storytellers may be teachers and librarians, but are just as often people who enjoy telling and listening to stories. Storytelling is one of the oldest forms of entertainment, and began as a way of preserving history and culture, but today, the skills storytellers use to tell their tales benefit many other careers as well!

Storytelling isn’t just for children, or for schools. You may have heard of Story Slams (storytelling contests), the National Storytelling Festival, or The Moth. There are often storytelling events at The Ark in Ann Arbor, MI. There are several storytelling groups in the area, some of which hold festivals, workshops, or events.

Please visit our About page to learn more about the Detroit Story League’s history.