StoryLab

StoryLab

Stories that bind us…

Storytelling is the oldest art form. We tell stories to share, to remember, to imagine, to learn, to process, to rally, to mourn, to laugh and to connect. It is how we create a sense of community and is vital to our experience as humans.

StoryLab StoryLab creates a space where people come together and commune over story telling. Each night has a theme and the storytellers for the evening will each get up and spend 6 to 10 minutes talking on that particular theme.

The heart of storytelling is sharing a personal story with no notes and no microphone, speaking from the heart. Sometimes people may read or perform a poem (either an original or a favourite), do a monologue, or a song, just to mix things up.

Storytelling events are a great way to meet new people and learn more about old friends. They are simple, fun and unpretentious nights where a group of strangers and friends can gather to share perspectives on life.

ANNOUNCING…

Our new Auckland venue is The (LEGENDARY) Grey Lynn RSC – 1 Francis Street, Grey Lynn – https://www.greylynnrsc.org.nz/

How it works

In 2025 a PWYC (pay what you can) door fee allows for speakers to get free drinks and/ or payment, and cover costs.

Each night is themed, e.g. ‘Migration,’ ‘Reinvention,’ ‘Burning Bridges’, ‘Getting really sick away from home,’ or ‘Accident and Emergency.’

ANYONE can apply (ahead of time) to be a storyteller.

For any given night 7 – 10 storytellers will be selected and given help to fashion and prepare their story.

On the night the audience gather, the first half of speakers speak – there’s a short break for mingling and conversation – then we present the second round of speakers.

Sometimes there are variations. If we end ahead of time, we might ask audience members to jump up and share a few minutes of their own experience on the theme, spontaneously. Other times we won’t announce the theme in advance, and the audience have to guess what it is – a free drink goes to the winner!

The space is open afterwards for more mingling, chatting, connection and informal story telling with the audience and the speakers before the night wraps up!

With interval, the night runs 90 to 120 minutes.

Upcoming Events

AUCKLAND – 1st Thursday of every month!

Venue: UPSTAIRS at the Grey Lynn RSC – restaurant open from 5pm – https://www.greylynnrsc.org.nz/

PWYC door entry

7.00PM, Thursday 6 November – THEME – Romantic Misadventure

7.00PM, Thursday 4 December – THEME – Loss

7.00PM, Thursday 5 February – THEME – All the World’s a Stage

7.00pm, Thursday 5 March – THEME – Guess the theme