Ottawa Storytellers (OST) 2025-26 Signature Series season is here and based on the lineup, it looks like it’s going to be awesome.
The organization is dedicated to bringing the art of storytelling to life in the National Capital Region. Through performances, workshops, and community events, OST nurtures both new and established voices while creating opportunities for audiences to experience the magic of live storytelling.
OST has been around for over 40 years, in different variations.
“Essentially, it’s always been there to tell various stories to the community,” says OST’s new Artistic Director, Michael Sheppard. “There’s epic stories and tales that you’ve heard of. One of the shows we’re doing is The Brothers Grimm… But then there’s also personal stories that come from the tellers themselves about their lives and about their own experiences.”
This new season brings a dynamic mix of internationally acclaimed storytellers, local voices, and community-focused events to the stage, a press release from OST reads.
“This season is about connection, between stories and audiences, between tradition and innovation, and between Ottawa and the wider world,” Sheppard says. “We’re thrilled to welcome such a wide range of storytellers and to continue building opportunities for our community to gather around stories.”
OST differs from events like Fringe through production choices, such as addressing the crowd directly instead of including an immersive set.
“[The crowd’s] faces are still lit and can be seen by the storyteller, because the storyteller is directly addressing you throughout the entire evening,” Sheppard says.
“It’s a one-on-one connection between you and the teller. When the lights dim and go down, it’s basically like turning on your reading lamp at home and sitting in your most comfortable chair and opening up your book… But it’s coming alive in front of your face.”
Ottawa Storytellers. Photo by Melanie Murphy.
The Signature Series will include six curated shows throughout the year at Arts Court and three special events:
1. Bottle Lamp Tales | Jan Blake – Thursday, October 23 – 7:30pm
Scary stories from Jamaican tradition, brought to life in an evening that will keep you looking over your shoulder.
2. Lifestyles of the Rich and the Shameless | Tom Lips – Sunday, November 16 – 2:00pm
A sharp and funny mix of stories and music skewering our fascination with extreme wealth.
3. The Women in Me | Sao-Mai Nguyen – Sunday, January 18 – 2:00pm
A deeply personal journey through myth, family history, and lived experience of womanhood.
4. Recovering Romantic | Briane Nasimok – Sunday, February 22 – 2:00pm
A heartfelt and humorous dive into love, heartbreak, and hope, set in a “Romantics Anonymous” meeting.
5. Grimm: Dark Paths and Wild Wonder | OST Annual Long Show – Sunday, March 22 – 2:00pm
Rediscover the enduring magic, mystery, and meaning of the Brothers Grimm’s timeless folktales.
6. The Strategy of War: Magic and Splendor of Aztec Mythology | Mera Reyes – Sunday, June 7 – 2:00pm
Ancient Aztec myths restored to their original oral tradition, accompanied by live percussion.
Special Series
1. (un)Told: Stories That Stayed With Us – Sunday, April 26 at 2:00pm
A curated showcase of the best stories from OST’s monthly (un)Told series, celebrating community storytelling at its rawest and most powerful.
2. Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! Voices from a Medieval Village – Sunday, May 3 at 2:00pm
Performed by youth storytellers ages 13–24, this award-winning piece offers a witty and heartfelt look into medieval life.
3. Adisoke – Sunday, June 14 at 2:00pm
A celebration of Indigenous voices.
OST also runs Story Café: “another curated local story night where there are three or four storytellers who will tell stories to a particular theme,” and a monthly drop-in Open Mic.
On the education side, OST is holding a Children’s Storytelling Festival in November. OST is also running a beginner workshop series, which is free and open to anyone regardless of experience level.
Sheppard explains that OST educational and experimental events allow artists to explore the core element of how to connect with an audience.
“I think art can change the world, and I really think you can learn how to communicate effectively through art and through telling stories,” he says. “It’s the way we pass down information from generation to generation. It’s the way we change and improve our own thought processes and mindsets.”
Don’t miss out! The Signature Series season opener, Bottle Lamp Tales, featuring Jan Blake takes place Oct. 23. For more information on events and tickets, visit Ottawa StoryTellers.
