THE WISCONSIN STORYTELLERS’ GET-TOGETHER!
April 29, 2023 at MacKenzie Educational Center, Poynette WI
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.
WELCOME TO WISTGET 2023!!!
On Saturday, April 29, 2023 we will gather together at MacKenzie Educational Center with most parts available on Zoom to swap stories, share ideas, connect as peers and friends. This year there is the opportunity to stay overnight in the dorms from Friday evening 6pm to Sunday morning 11:00am! Please indicate on the registration form if you plan to stay overnight. You must register in order to attend either in person or on Zoom.
SCHEDULE & NOTES FOR PARTICIPANTS
REGISTRATION AND PAYMENT
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FULL EVENT Register Online: Click here to fill out the form online to attend the whole event.
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FULL EVENT Register by Mail: Download the form here and mail to Terry Visger with $ for registration.
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CONCERT ONLY Register Online: Click here to sign up to attend the Storytelling Concert on Zoom.
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Donations are welcome.
SCHEDULE: CLICK HERE TO SEE THE SCHEDULE
*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.
- 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
The 33rd Annual WISTGET was held on October 15, 2022 in person at Mosquito Hill Nature Center and was on Zoom videoconference. 2022 EVALUATION: CLICK HERE
HISTORY OF THE 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.
During the 2020/2021 Covid Pandemic, the WISTGET committee used the Zoom platform to host an online version of the event. In 2022 we went back to Mosquito Hill in person but included a Zoom option. In 2023, a weekend event at MacKenzie Educational Center with a Zoom option for Saturday.
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!