what students are saying
Everybody has a story to tell. In this engaging storytelling workshop, learn how to craft, shape and confidently deliver your personal stories for performance, business or everyday life. Whether you're speaking at a dinner party, pitching an idea, preparing for a job interview or stepping onto a stage, powerful storytelling is a skill that captivates, entertains and motivates.
Led by professional storyteller, comedian and facilitator John Knowles, this course provides a practical, step-by-step process for transforming your memories into compelling narratives. You’ll explore story structure, humour, vulnerability, stagecraft and presentation techniques while building the confidence to share your voice with impact.
Across seven sessions, you will develop one meaningful personal story, refine it into a tight script and practise delivering it with authenticity and presence. The course blends writing craft, performance skills and proactive listening techniques in a supportive and experiential environment.
Course Outline
- Finding Your Story: Discover what makes great oral storytelling and identify meaningful moments from your life.
- Story Craft: Learn structure, character, emotional impact, tone and narrative arc.
- Performance Skills: Develop stage presence, voice control, body language and audience engagement techniques.
Schedule & Pricing
- 7 sessions: 1 September – 13 October 2026
- Tuesdays, 6:00pm – 8:30pm
- Location: Rozelle Campus, 2A Gordon Street, Rozelle NSW 2039
- Course fee: $429
Details
You will learn
- Craft and structure compelling true stories for oral performance
- Apply stage presence, voice and body language techniques
- Use proactive listening and emotional storytelling to engage audiences
You will get
- Expert coaching from professional storyteller John Knowles
- Supportive small-group environment with practical exercises
- Opportunities to practise and refine a personal story for performance
Appropriate for
Beginners and aspiring writers, media and communications professionals, and anyone wanting to improve interpersonal communication and presentation skills.
Preparation
What to bring
- Notebook and pen or laptop/device for writing
What to wear
Casual
Your Teacher
Sydney Community College
Sydney Community College is a registered charity with a voluntary Board of Directors.
The College has a mission to offer innovative continuing adult education and training programmes that support individual efforts and facilitate sustainable social change.
We do this by:
- Providing quality continuing adult education opportunities for people to build practical and theoretical skills and develop knowledge;
- Leveraging from and developing community capacity and inclusivity;
- Developing innovative affordable and accessible skills training programmes;
- Partnering with like organisations to deliver learning opportunities for disadvantaged individuals and communities;
- Partnering with all levels of government to deliver education policy objectives.
Cancellations & Refunds
If the organiser cancels the class:
You are entitled to a full refund.
If you can't attend the class:
You’re welcome to send someone in your place.
OR
- A refund can be requested 10 days before class starts. An admin fee of AU$45.00 applies.
Terms & Conditions
At Sydney Community College, we know that plans can change unexpectedly. Whether it’s a shift in your schedule, a family emergency, or just a change of heart, we want to support you in the fairest way possible.
At the same time, we’re a not-for-profit organisation that commits resources to running each class—so last-minute cancellations can significantly impact our ability to offer quality, affordable programs.
That’s why we’ve created a simple, transparent policy that balances your need for flexibility with our need to plan and deliver courses sustainably. Our cancellation policy offers two clear options, depending on when you notify us:
Cancel More Than 10 Days Before the Course Starts – You can choose to receive a full refund, minus a $45 administration fee OR a non-refundable credit note valid for 12 months for the full value you paid for the course. This credit can be used towards any future course at the College.
Option 2: Cancel Within 10 Days of the Course Starting - You’ll receive a credit note valid for 12 months for 50% of the course fee you paid for the course. This credit can be used towards any future course at the College.
Please note that both refund and credit options are only available before the course begins. Once the course has started—or if you decide to withdraw after it has commenced—no refunds or credits can be issued. If you need to cancel your enrolment, just email us and we’ll take care of it based on the timelines above.
Have more questions about this class?
Tags:
Storytelling Workshop: Write & Tell
Coming Soon: More classes in the works!
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