The focus of this “Taking Your Story to the Stage” 3-day workshop is on storytelling performance. Each participant is asked to come with a story that is almost “stage-ready.” Participants gather at Connie’s home, tucked in the beautiful mountains surrounding Asheville, NC. This workshop intensive provides a supportive, affirming atmosphere to nurture each storyteller’s performance skills and confidence. “Taking Your Story to the Stage” is open only to those who have previously studied with Connie. If you have not had this opportunity and/or Connie has not heard you tell a story, a private coaching session may be required. Registration is limited so if you’d like to add your name to the list of participants now, contact Connie. For more details, click here.
And if you can’t make the workshop, mark your calendars now join us as
listeners for an enchanting evening of storytelling in “A Slice of Life: An Evening of Stories” on March 29, 2025 at Black Mountain Center for the Arts.
Join nationally celebrated storyteller Connie Regan-Blake as she welcomes her storytelling workshop participants to the stage for “A Slice of Life: An Evening of Stories.” This show’s tellers include Donna Catton-Johnson, Linda Chancey Guice, Steve Tate, Christine Phillips Westfeldt, Cheri Miller, Laura Hope-Gill, Andy Russell, and Janel Woodland.
Connie is emceeing this evening of unique voices. The last several “Slice of Life” shows have been sell-outs – so get your tickets early!
Tickets are $18 if purchased in advance, or $22 at the door, if available. Doors open at 6:30pm and seating is first come first served. Online ticket sales end an hour before the performance time, but there may still be tickets available for purchase at the door. Call Black Mountain Center of the Arts for availability at 828.669.0930.
What participants have said:
- Intense and Rewarding. Opportunity to take risks and grow with others who care about stories and those who tell them.
- This workshop offers a retreat environment in which realignment occurs allowing freedom for the story to take the stage as I, the entertainer, offer it as a gift to the audience.
“The Round Robin of storytellers at Connie Regan-Blake’s “Slice of Life” show gave me a rare listening treat. Each story was as unique as the voice that told it. What great fun to hear a mountain art form so well-spun!” –Donna Marie Todd, storyteller, singer and story workshop leader
Mini Masterclass: Finding the Storyteller in You with Connie Regan-Blake
Explore the legacy of “memory” as you gain confidence in finding your voice and connecting with listeners through creating and sharing stories. All are welcome to his shorter version of Connie’s daylong retreat – teachers, ministers, writers, grandparents, and those curious about telling stories. Please join us if you are drawn to the spoken word and desire deeper personal experiences through stories in a supportive and playful atmosphere. 
Connie will be the Teller in Residence the week of June 10-14, 2025 at the International Storytelling Center in Jonesborough, Tennessee. There will be live performances at 2pm during the week in the lovely intimate theater at the International Storytelling Center and some extra special events. On Friday, June 13, the “A Legend in Overall: Storytelling in the Footsteps of Ray Hicks” performance will also be live streamed.
One of America’s most celebrated storytellers, Connie Regan-Blake has captivated the hearts and imaginations of people with her powerful performances. Recognized in the storytelling community with the NSN ORACLE Circle of Excellence, Distinguished Service, and Lifetime Achievement awards, Regan-Blake has recently been invited by the Library of Congress to house the compilation of memorabilia from her life’s work as a storyteller, including her role in the birth and beginnings of the American Storytelling Revival.
“With artful direction she lures us into the depths of joy and terror, hilarity and grief. One minute we feel the pangs of regret, revenge, even the chill hand of death . . . in the very next story we luxuriate in the rib-bursting laughter of a mountain Jack Tale. It’s all part of the storyteller’s magic.” – School Library Journal
The Art and Heart of Storytelling
Storytelling is easier than you think. This workshop welcomes all – teachers, parents, librarians,
ministers, storytellers, and those just curious. Connie generously shares tools she has developed and learned throughout her trailblazing storytelling career that spans 5 decades and 6 continents.
With partner exercises and a ‘walk through memories’, you will enjoy exploring events of our life in a supportive, creative atmosphere. Utilizing ‘deep listening’, you will also experience how the 5 senses and the ‘colors’ of the moment bring a story to life and connect you with your listeners. Whether telling to family on the front porch, a gathering at a party, or on stage, you’II get a taste of the ‘art & heart’ of storytelling.
So join us if you are drawn to stories –both the telling and the listening.
(Ticket price includes both workshop and performance.)
- At 4:00 pm Connie is giving a storytelling workshop (open to all levels of interest including those just curious!) followed by a meet and greet.
- At 7:00 pm she is giving an evening storytelling performance. Join us for either or both!
Connie’s event is part of a series for the Table Rock Storytelling Festival sponsored by Burke County Arts. This is a 4 series – including Michael Reno Harrel who kicked it off in March, 2025 – June features Connie Regan-Blake; September – Josh Goforth; and Tim Lowery will present Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol on December 6.
Connie is joining in to attend a week-long intensive storytelling workshop with Bill Harley. Bill Harley is well-traveled, well-read, well-educated, well-spoken and well-loved. Accompanied by his guitar, his narrative songs and stories, both original and traditional, are a celebration of our common humanity. Best known for his work with children and families, his ability to navigate through a confusing world with humor and wisdom is evident in his masterful storytelling as well as his numerous award-winning recordings and books. A two-time Grammy winner, he is vibrant, outrageous, unpredictable and genuine with songs and stories about growing up, schooling and what it is to be human—our connections with one another and with the planet we share. Recognized by audiences and peers as one of the finest performing storytellers in the country, his work has influenced a generation of children, parents, performing artists and educators. Bill tours internationally as a performing artist, author and keynote speaker from his home in Seekonk, Massachusetts.
There will be performances, workshops, coaching, walks in the woods . . . and all of it an idyllic retreat setting, right off the Blue Ridge Parkway. Hosted since 2004 by Dianne Hackworth, it promises to be a fun, creative, renewing Wild Week in the Woods!
Want to join in? Register here.
The focus of this “Taking Your Story to the Stage” 3-day workshop is on storytelling performance. Each participant is asked to come with a story that is almost “stage-ready.” Participants gather at Connie’s home, tucked in the beautiful mountains surrounding Asheville, NC. This workshop intensive provides a supportive, affirming atmosphere to nurture each storyteller’s performance skills and confidence. “Taking Your Story to the Stage” is open only to those who have previously studied with Connie. If you have not had this opportunity and/or Connie has not heard you tell a story, a private coaching session may be required. Registration is limited so if you’d like to add your name to the list of participants now, contact Connie. For more details, click here.
And if you can’t make the workshop, mark your calendars now join us as
listeners for an enchanting evening of storytelling in “A Slice of Life: An Evening of Stories” on November 1, 2025 at Black Mountain Center for the Arts.
Join nationally celebrated storyteller Connie Regan-Blake as she welcomes her storytelling workshop participants to the stage for “A Slice of Life: An Evening of Stories.” This show’s tellers are to be announced..
Connie is emceeing this evening of unique voices. The last several “Slice of Life” shows have been sell-outs – so get your tickets early!
Tickets are $18 if purchased in advance, or $22 at the door, if available. Doors open at 6:30pm and seating is first come first served. Online ticket sales end an hour before the performance time, but there may still be tickets available for purchase at the door. Call Black Mountain Center of the Arts for availability at 828.669.0930.
What participants have said:
- Intense and Rewarding. Opportunity to take risks and grow with others who care about stories and those who tell them.
- This workshop offers a retreat environment in which realignment occurs allowing freedom for the story to take the stage as I, the entertainer, offer it as a gift to the audience.
“The Round Robin of storytellers at Connie Regan-Blake’s “Slice of Life” show gave me a rare listening treat. Each story was as unique as the voice that told it. What great fun to hear a mountain art form so well-spun!” –Donna Marie Todd, storyteller, singer and story workshop leader