Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the Speak Story Series?
2. Where/when does Speak take place? 
3. How much are tickets?
4. Where is my link for the concert?
5. Can I bring children to the show? I thought storytelling was for children / I have heard this storyteller before at a children's show.
6. Can I record the shows to share with my family later? 
7. Where should I park? 
8. How do you find the storytellers for your series?
9. How do I get to be a storyteller on the Speak Story Series?
10. I’m a season ticket holder. How do I attend a concert?
11. I have another question that isn’t answered here!

1. What is the Speak Story Series?
Speak is a community-based storytelling concert series produced by Speak Storytelling, Inc, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Speak presents inter/nationally recognized storytellers in concert for the public and for local outreach programming. Presenting concerts since 2013, Speak presented its eleventh season in 2023. Storytelling allows people of different backgrounds to listen to the words of diverse tellers, learn about cultures and beliefs, and bond over deep emotional experiences.

2. Where/when does Speak take place? 
Speak concerts are always on the second Tuesday of the month. As of our eleventh season, we offer in-person AND online concerts on Tuesday nights.

3. How much are tickets?
Individual tickets for the 2024 season are $20. Season tickets are available for $200 for all ten shows. For more information, click here. 

4. Where is my link for the concert?
If you purchase a season ticket, your concert link is emailed the morning of each concert. Check all the folders of your email provider and let your inbox know you want to receive our emails. If you purchase an individual ticket, your concert link is sent to you in a Purchase Confirmation email.

5. Can I bring children to the show? I thought storytelling was for children. I have heard this storyteller before at a children's show.
Speak is advertised as storytelling for adults. We say that mature children are allowed at the discretion of adults, but we will not refund ticket money if it is later decided that the child should not have been present. While most shows are suitable for a variety of ages, we do not censor storytellers. This allows them to present material that might not be suitable at other venues, while at the same time allows the artists to be artists. For this reason, our events are advertised as being for adults.

6. Can I record the shows to share with my family later? 
No. No recording or unauthorized photography is allowed at Speak. If you wish to share storytelling with someone else, please bring them to a show or consider purchasing one of our artists' recordings to share. Storytellers make their living giving concerts and unauthorized recording or duplication harms their ability to make a living as an artist. 

7. Where should I park for in-person events? 
Shepherdstown is a small and walkable town. Nearby street parking is available on King, German, and High Streets, but most streets in town are only a few blocks from the venue. MAKE SURE that you are not parking in a residential area or in a metered spot that requires payment. The Shepherdstown Parking Patrol is not merciful. 

8. How do you find the storytellers for your series?
Generally, Speak hires full-time storytellers with a national or international reputation. Occasionally we hire lesser-known storytellers who demonstrate an exceptional fit for our series or artists who practice other forms of art yet use storytelling in their craft. There are many networks and events that allow us to find our artists. If you are looking to find storytellers, consider beginning with the National Storytelling Network or a regional storytelling Guild. 

9. How do I get to be a storyteller on the Speak Story Series?
Speak is always accepting promotional/demo materials from interested storytellers. We book an entire season at once, so you must know your availability a full year out. We also book storytellers who can present shows for adults AND for other ages for outreach programming. If interested, send applicable materials (such as bio, résumé, headshot, links to website, audio recordings, links to video of your storytelling, letter of intent) to our email address or our PO Box (see footer below). Materials will not be returned. 

10. I’m a season ticket holder. How do I attend an online concert?
In 2024 all season ticket holders will receive an email at 10:00am on the day of each concert with a link for that day’s concert .

11. I have another question that isn’t answered here!
Okay, great. Send us a message through our contact form or via email to director@speakstoryseries.com .