Everyone has a story worth telling. This immersive, hands-on workshop is designed to help participants discover a meaningful personal story, shape it into a compelling narrative, and bring it to life through performance.
Led by Dr. Persis Karim—award-winning writer, poet, editor, and educator whose work has centered on literature, creative writing, and the stories of diaspora communities for more than two decades—and Shayan Ravandoust, founder and host of Third Culture Tales, participants will explore both the craft of writing and the art of oral storytelling. Dr. Karim has taught creative writing, world literature, and diaspora literature at San José State University and San Francisco State University, where she also led the Center for Iranian Diaspora Studies.
Beginning with guided reflection and writing exercises, participants will identify a memorable experience and begin transforming it into a personal story. Through small-group sharing and discussion, they will explore what makes a story resonate and how storytelling differs from simply reading what has been written.
Following a short break (light snacks included), the workshop shifts to performance. Participants will learn practical techniques for engaging an audience through pacing, body language, eye contact, vocal variety, humor, specificity, and authentic emotional connection. Each participant will refine their story into a polished 3–6 minute performance while receiving supportive feedback in a welcoming and collaborative environment.
Whether you're interested in becoming a storyteller, improving your public speaking, or simply discovering the power of your own experiences, this workshop offers practical tools, creative inspiration, and a supportive space to grow.
Participants will:
Discover and write a meaningful personal story.
Learn the fundamentals of compelling narrative structure.
Explore the difference between writing and oral storytelling.
Practice sharing stories in small groups.
Develop confidence in public speaking and live performance.
Refine and rehearse a polished 3–6 minute story.
No previous writing or storytelling experience is required—just curiosity and a willingness to share.
About Dr. Persis Karim
Persis Karim is Professor and Director Emerita, San Francisco State University, where she taught Comparative and World Literature and directed the Center for Iranian Diaspora Studies. She is the editor of three anthologies: Tremors: New Fiction by Iranian-American Writers; Let Me Tell You Where I've Been: New Writing by Women of the Iranian Diaspora; and, A World Between: Poems, Short Stories and Essays by Iranian-Americans and co-directed the documentary, "The Dawn Is Too Far: Stories of Iranian American Life." She has a deep and abiding passion for poetry and storytelling.
Join us for the day and bring your stories to life!