Meet the Storytellers Shaping the 2025 Virginia Storytelling Alliance Gathering
Storytelling isn’t just about words—it’s about capturing attention, holding it, and leaving a lasting impression. This year’s Virginia Storytelling Alliance Gathering brings together an inspiring lineup of storytellers who do just that. From uncovering the secrets of audience engagement to tackling the ethical questions of the craft, our featured presenters will guide you through the art and responsibility of storytelling.
Leading the way, Gwendolyn Poole will share techniques to Hook, Hold, and Wow your audience, helping you break free from traditional storytelling structures and command the stage with voice, movement, and presence. Miriam Nadel will dive into the Ethics of Storytelling, tackling the tough questions of cultural sensitivity, audience expectations, and the moral obligations storytellers carry. And bringing warmth, humor, and personal connection to the gathering, Jeanna Lee will remind us how stories transcend generations, cultures, and experiences.
Guiding the event is Nick Baskerville, a storyteller, comedian, and master of the craft who keeps audiences engaged both in-person and online. Together, these voices will make this year’s gathering an unforgettable experience—one where stories are not only told but truly felt.
Workshop: Hook, Hold, and Wow: Captivating Your Audience from Start to Finish
with Gwendolyn Poole
This interactive storytelling workshop offers practical tips and exercises to help capture and hold your audience’s attention. You’ll discover techniques for stepping outside traditional chronological storytelling and explore ways to enhance your performance through voice inflection, call and response, physical movement, and more. Participants will have the opportunity to practice and share these tools as they dive deeper into the art of storytelling.
Gwendolyn Poole, Workshop Presenter
Gwendolyn Poole grew up in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. Captivated by her father’s spooky tales, she continues that tradition. She blends her background in sociology and drama to craft original stories and reimagine timeless favorites. A published short story author with Blue Ridge Writers and the Virginia Writers Club, Gwen has a knack for weaving vivid details into compelling plots. She is passionate about storytelling and enjoys helping others develop their skills and find their unique voice.
Workshop: Ethics in Storytelling with Miriam Nadel
Storytellers often face questions about ethics when planning their programs and performances. These issues depend on what type of stories you tell, why your audience is, and who is arranging the program. This workshop will use case studies to address some of these issues, such as:
- What must you know to determine if a story is appropriate for a given audience?
- How can you ensure you won’t offend community members?
- What if you are asked to tell a specific story that you think might not fit the audience?
- Should you tell a story from a culture other than your own?
- What should you consider if you are considering using copyrighted material?
- What details are appropriate to include or exclude when telling a personal or family story? Is changing names and identifying details sufficient, or should you avoid using certain information? Does that differ from historical stories?
- How should you address financial considerations with organizers of storytelling programs?
Participants will be encouraged to provide examples from their own experiences for discussion.
Miriam Nadel, Workshop Presenter
Miriam H. Nadel has told folktales, personal stories, and original stories for almost 35 years. Her favorite venues include the Washington Folk Festival, Better Said Than Done, a Hollywood art gallery, and a campground in the Empty Quarter of Oman. She collects hats, paper dolls, and stories about her more colorful relatives. All her stories are true, whether or not they happened that way
Jeanna Lee, Opening Ceremony Speaker
Jeanna Lee, a Florida native, moved to the DC metro area in 2012. Growing up, she was captivated by the folktales, fables, and parables her mother shared—stories that left a lasting impression. As a storyteller, Jeanna blends humor with personal anecdotes to entertain and connect with audiences of all ages, backgrounds, and orientations. In her free time, she enjoys reading, traveling, swimming, and spending time with her two dogs, Mimi and Miso.
Event Host: Nick Baskerville,
President, Virginia Storytelling Alliance
Nick tells stories, jokes, and talks to folks to people in-person and online. He has performed stories on The Moth, The Story Collider, Artist Standing Strong, and more. In addition to telling stories, Nick hosts shows and tells jokes regularly with Better Said Than Done and the Armed Services Arts Performance (ASAP) military community.