THE WISCONSIN STORYTELLERS’ GET-TOGETHER!
An annual gathering of Wisconsin tellers actively engaged in the art and practice of storytelling. The Wisconsin Storytellers’ Get-Together is an informal gathering for sharing stories, ideas & resources. It’s a chance for networking, mutual support and being re-energized for storytelling in whatever form we practice it. Join in and swap some tales! Join us for a day of connecting, telling and listening to stories.
The 33rd Annual WISTGET was held on October 15, 2022 in person at Mosquito Hill Nature Center and was on Zoom videoconference.
EVALUATION: CLICK HERE
2023 TO BE ANNOUNCED
The current committee will soon be meeting to do an evaluation of the 2022 WISTGET event, say goodbye to retiring Ruth M and Mary N, welcome MaryJo F to the committee, and put together a plan to find at least one new committee member. We need someone to take care of Treasurer and Facilities.
THE PROGRAM OF ACTIVITIES MAY INCLUDE:
- Enjoy a warm welcome from the WISTGET Committee. A guided chat session in the morning.
- Bring books, CDs, and other storytelling materials for the Exchange Table. Concert Tellers are invited to bring items for sale and are in charge of their own materials.
- Light Lunch. Please bring your own bowl, utensils, mug, beverage. There will be a dishwashing station. Feel free to bring a snack or dessert to share.
- Choose a SWAP* and share your story. Personal Stories, Say It & Sing It, Stories for Children, Mixed Bag, Environmental Tales, Something’s Not Right!
- Dinner. Please bring your own bowl, utensils, mug, beverage. There will be a dishwashing station.
- Lucy Beck Award Presentation – awarded in recognition of noteworthy contributions and service in the nurturing of storytelling in Wisconsin.
- Two other activities may include 5-5-5 Tru-ish Stories and a Concert.
REGISTER ONLINE! The zoom link will be sent through email by or before Saturday morning. IMPORTANT NOTES.
REGISTRATION AND PAYMENT:
- Register Online: Click Here Send $FEE through PayPal. Donations are welcome.
- Register by Mail: Download the form and mail to Terry Visger with $ for registration. Donations are welcome.
Payment Method 1: Copy and paste the following URL into your browser to pay online. The URL is Paypal.me/WISTGET20
Payment Method 2: Mail payment to Terry Visger. 4987 Tschumper Rd, LaCrescent MN 55947(Checks should be made out to: “Wisconsin Storytellers”).
FEE:
SCHEDULE: See google doc above “Notes for Registered Participants”
2022 FEATURED CONCERT TELLERS: Franklin Chen, Susie Garfield, Gwyn Calvetti, Debra Morningstar
*WHAT IS A STORY SWAP? A Story Swap is a gathering of tellers to share stories and hear the unique voices of other Wisconsin tellers. WISTGET organizers choose themes ahead of time to organize small groups that breakout from the main room. There will be a swap facilitator who will start the session and will keep things moving and on time. Each teller comes prepared with either a finished short story or something on which they are working, which is 8 to 10 minutes in length. Tellers are welcome to request feedback after the session during chat times. Depending on how many people choose to put their name in the hat, everyone may not get the chance to share.
WHO WAS LUCY BECK? & PAST LUCY BECK AWARD WINNERS
CLICK HERE TO Join the WISTGET Facebook page here.
UPDATES BY EMAIL: Click here to Send your contact information to receive an email with updates about events and Get-Togethers.
WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT WISTGET:
This year’s WISTGET is probably the best I have ever attended in recent years. The songs, the poetry, and stories were probably best of the best. I really enjoy every minute of the event. Thank you to those people who help to make this year’s WISTGET event. Franklin Chen 2019
The Get-Together was a huge success and great FUN! Held at Mosquito Hill Nature Center, we are looking forward to gathering…[virtually] this year on September [26th]! Come play/tell with us! Deborah Morningstar 2017
HISTORY! WISCONSIN STORYTELLERS’ GET-TOGETHER
The history and development of an annual gathering of Wisconsin tellers actively engaged in the art and practice of storytelling.
A short history and development of an annual gathering of Wisconsin storytellers and how to get involved. The Wisconsin Storytellers’ Get-together (WISTGET) is an annual gathering of Wisconsin tellers actively engaged in the art and practice of storytelling.
This event was founded in 1987 with the collaboration of the three storytelling guilds active at the time: T.A.L.E.S. (Tri-Area Liars, Elaborators, & Storytellers) of Kenosha, The Madison Storytelling Guild, and M.A.S.T. (Milwaukee Area Story Tellers).
A planning committee formed from the three guilds and organized the annual Get-together each year. With the slogan “Hear It in Wisconsin” the emphasis was on connecting with storytellers throughout the state and encouraging new tellers. The day included Story Swaps, shared meals, a juried Storytelling Concert, and a peer award for service to the storytelling community. The locations have varied over the years but most have been in camp or nature settings.
About 1997 storyteller Hardy Garrison of Marshfield created the Wisconsin Storytelling website which offered a place to list Wisconsin tellers, events, guilds and WISTGET news. Karen Wollscheid took over about 2007 and Karen Wendt is the current webmaster as of 2018.
It is hoped that this website will become the go-to place for all things Storytelling in Wisconsin. Tellers are encouraged to post a listing in the site Directory. Event organizers can send in information with links to their websites. Anyone who discovers storytelling in a new corner of the state can pass on the information via Contact. Let the tales begin!