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.” Set in Connie’s home tucked in the beautiful mountains surrounding Asheville, NC, this workshop provides a supportive, affirming atmosphere to nurture storytellers’ 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. If you’d like to add your name to the list of participants now contact Connie. For more details check out the Spring Taking page here.
Even if you are not available for the workshop, please join nationally celebrated storyteller, Connie Regan-Blake, as she hosts her workshop tellers in an enchanting evening of storytelling in “A Slice of Life: An Evening of Stories” on December 3, 2022 at Black Mountain Center for the Arts.
Join nationally celebrated storyteller Connie Regan-Blake as she welcomes her storytelling students to the stage for “A Slice of Life: An Evening of Stories.” Enjoy a great lineup of tellers including Mike Perry from Pennsylvania, Andy Russell and Janel Behm, both joining us from Florida, Pepper Ellis-Hagebak of Georgia, plus Steve Tate, Naomi Faw and Christine Phillips Westfeldt from North Carolina.
Saturday, December 3, 2022. Tickets $18 in advance, $20 at the door.
Connie is emceeing this evening of unique voices. The last four “Slice of Life” shows have been sell-outs – so get your tickets early!
“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
Connie is telling to residents of a local Senior’s home. (This is a private event.) 
Connie is available for your event both in the Asheville area and beyond. Her storytelling performances range from hilarious traditional Appalachian Mountain tales to poignant true-life dramas with listeners laughing in one moment and catching their breath in awe in the next. She has performed for national & regional conferences of every genre, family reunions, churches as well as festivals, libraries and more! Connie’s stories are tailored to engage, entertain and inspire all her listeners. Email her office for more details.
Connie Regan-Blake is telling stories for two, back to back, in-person, live concerts in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. This evening she is performing “From Another Time: Celebrating the Legacy of Ray Hicks.” In this new piece, Connie interweaves tales of her own storytelling journey along with personal stories of her mentor and dear friend, Ray Hicks. Come listen to stories of how Ray became the face of traditional Appalachian Mountain storytelling along with reflections on Connie’s long friendship with the Hicks family and her own personal storytelling journey. 
Connie is part of the 10th season of ‘Speak Stories’ Series. In early 2013, a few friends sat around a red wooden table chatting about art in the community. “I wonder if we could get people to come to a storytelling event in Shepherdstown?”
Founder, Adam Booth says:
“Would anyone show up? Would tellers want to come to West Virginia? Would an anti-festival model work?”
Calls were made to story artists, tickets were printed, fliers posted, and the community showed up to listen and to work. Over time, the series grew.
In the course of nine seasons, Speak has presented sixty-eight storytellers (sharing stories in sixteen languages) in over eighty concerts for adults, provided dozens of school and community-outreach shows, crowned two youth tellers as story champions, and worked together with over a dozen local organizations. During the fifth season, we moved from our loving original home in the Shepherdstown Community Club across the street to Reynolds Hall, a larger venue with sloped seating for better visibility. We became a program of Shepherd University under the Appalachian Studies Program, and a volunteer community committee began to steer Speak into its future. In our eighth season we faced new challenges relating to the coronavirus pandemic, but we rededicated ourselves to presenting quality storytelling programming to the world. We moved out of our home at the Center for Appalachian Studies and Communities and have become our own 501c3 nonprofit organization. Our ninth season was presented entirely online and our audience grew to include people from three continents around the world. Join us as we continue to grow!
Connie Regan-Blake is telling stories for two, back to back, in-person, live concerts in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. Connie is one of America’s most celebrated storytellers. She has captivated the hearts and imaginations of people around the globe with her powerful performances and workshops. Entertaining audiences in 47 states, 18 countries, and 6 continents she brings the wisdom, humor, and drama of stories to main stage concert halls, libraries, and into the corporate world. She holds the unique position of being featured as a storyteller or emcee at all fifty years of the National Storytelling Festival. 
Connie is part of the 10th season of ‘Speak Stories’ Series performing live at the Shepherdstown Opera House. In early 2013, a few friends sat around a red wooden table chatting about art in the community. “I wonder if we could get people to come to a storytelling event in Shepherdstown?”
Founder, Adam Booth says:
“Would anyone show up? Would tellers want to come to West Virginia? Would an anti-festival model work?”
Calls were made to story artists, tickets were printed, fliers posted, and the community showed up to listen and to work. Over time, the series grew.
In the course of nine seasons, Speak has presented sixty-eight storytellers (sharing stories in sixteen languages) in over eighty concerts for adults, provided dozens of school and community-outreach shows, crowned two youth tellers as story champions, and worked together with over a dozen local organizations. During the fifth season, we moved from our loving original home in the Shepherdstown Community Club across the street to Reynolds Hall, a larger venue with sloped seating for better visibility. We became a program of Shepherd University under the Appalachian Studies Program, and a volunteer community committee began to steer Speak into its future. In our eighth season we faced new challenges relating to the coronavirus pandemic, but we rededicated ourselves to presenting quality storytelling programming to the world. We moved out of our home at the Center for Appalachian Studies and Communities and have become our own 501c3 nonprofit organization. Our ninth season was presented entirely online and our audience grew to include people from three continents around the world. Join us as we continue to grow!
Connie is telling stories at Black Mountain Center for the Arts this Spring.
Ray Hicks at National Storytelling Festival – Photo by Tom Raymond
From Another Time: Celebrating the Legacy of Ray Hicks
We have been looking up to him from the beginning…the lanky 6’ 7’’ man of the mountains, who came out into the world, bearing old-world gifts that have enriched modern lives beyond measure. Connie Regan-Blake first met Ray Hicks on October 7, 1973, in Jonesborough, Tennessee. It was an afternoon that changed her life…and the course of storytelling in the United States. The setting was the first National Storytelling Festival. Come listen to stories of how Ray became the face of traditional Appalachian mountain storytelling along with Connie’s personal reflections on her long friendship with the Hicks family.
- Tickets $20 in advance, $25 at the door
- BMCA Website Advaced tickets: Eventbrite
Doors open at 6:30pm for the 7pm performance. Seating is general admission. Online ticket sales end 1 hour prior to performance time. There may still be tickets available for purchase in the office after online sales have ended. Contact BMCA for information – 828.669.0930.
Connie with Rosa & Ray Hicks
Join Connie Regan-Blake Saturday, August 5, 2023 from 9am-10:30am MST (UTC -7) / 11am-12:30pm EST for a virtual workshop, “Cooking Up Stories.” Telling stories is as natural and vital as taking a breath! This workshop welcomes everyone: writers curious about the oral word, those who want to explore their personal experiences and those who simply love stories. Connie Regan-Blake generously shares tools she has developed and learned throughout her trailblazing storytelling career that has taken her around the world. Register now.
Want to know more to see if this workshop is a good fit for you? Watch this short video:
National Storytelling Network is gearing up for their 2023 Summer Auction. The auction will be entirely virtual and runs August 14-18, 2023. This is a great way to support NSN and gives you the opportunity to bid on story coaching with several nationally recognized storytellers (including myself) and pick up some great items! View auction items here.
NSN is accepting donations through July 24, 2023 for their auction.
I am thrilled to let you know that Ray Hicks is being honored with his very own “Legends & Lore” roadside marker! Come join us in Beech Mountain, NC, for a celebration of my mentor, friend and legendary storyteller. I am hosting the dedication and unveiling, followed by refreshments and storytelling from Beech Mountain native storyteller Orville Hicks, The Folktellers (myself and my cousin, Barbara Freeman) are coming back together to tell a short mountain tale; Vixi Jil Glen, an Asheville storyteller and dear friend of Ted Hicks, and more! The Historical museum has a wonderful replica of the Hicks homeplace with wood stacked on the front porch, the wood stove in the front room and the red checkered table cloth the kitchen. The Beech Mountain Historical Society (BMHS) gratefully acknowledges The William G. Pomeroy Foundation, which provided funding for the roadside marker honoring Ray Hicks (1922-2003), a native of Beech Mountain.
Some of the Hicks family will be there too. Ray would be turning 101 years old on August 29 – so perfect timing.
