Festival Workshops
Workshop: Finding the Heart of Your Story, with Chantal Lim
Saturday, April 11, 2026
10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Burdock Music Hall
|
1184 Bloor Street West, Toronto, Ontario
In this workshop, Replay's Associate Artistic Director Chantal Lim, will help you discover and find the heart of your story, bringing your story focus and guiding you to finding a deeper meaning.
Chantal Lim is a Toronto-based storyteller, improviser, and clown. Since starting Second City’s improv program online in 2020, she has gone on to perform at festivals all over the world, including Vancouver Improv Festival, Manila Improv Festival, and Toronto International Storytelling Festival. Her most recent project is Ancient Dying Chinese Dialect - an award-winning solo storytelling show directed by Ken Hall that premiered at Toronto Fringe Festival 2023.
Tickets: 60
Register Now
Workshop: Arts Intertwined with Storytelling, with Anto Chan
Saturday, April 11, 2026
2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Burdock Music Hall
|
1184 Bloor Street West, Toronto, Ontario
In this workshop, InnerGenerational's Anto Chan, will support you in bringing more of your true self to the stage by weaving together your unique talents with the art of storytelling. Participants will explore how different performance styles such as spoken word, music stand up comedy, movement, or other creative expressions, can intertwine with personal narrative to create compelling and authentic stage pieces.
Through thoughtful prompts and caring feedback, Anto will guide you in either integrating storytelling into your existing performance practice, or if you’re primarily a storyteller, taking the creative risk of bringing other artistic talents into your set.
With 19 years of experience in the performance arts, including stand-up comedy, spoken word poetry, storytelling, and emceeing, Anto Chan brings a multidisciplinary perspective to the stage. He is also the creator of the collective InnerGenerational, which supports Asian artists in sharing their talents including music, theatre, poetry and rap with full stories, in ways that are both entertaining and emotionally vulnerable.
As a practicing expressive arts therapist, Anto also holds compassionate space for artists who may feel stuck, overwhelmed, or disconnected from their creative curiosity. In this workshop, he brings that supportive approach to help participants take risks, discover new possibilities, and begin building a performance set they are truly proud of.
Tickets: 60
Register Now
Workshop: Improv in Storytelling, with Paul Hutcheson
Sunday, April 12, 2026
10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Burdock Music Hall
|
1184 Bloor Street West, Toronto, Ontario
In this workshop you'll explore how improvisation can support the storytelling process, helping you think on your feet, stay present, and respond more intuitively to your audience. You’ll learn how to embrace uncertainty, take creative risks, and trust your instincts, all within a supportive and welcoming environment.
Whether you’re new to storytelling or looking to expand your practice, this workshop will give you practical tools to bring more energy, flexibility, and joy into the way you tell your stories.This workshop will incorporate how improvisation can help the storytelling process.
Paul Hutcheson is a queer comedic performer, writer and producer. His six solo shows have toured to over 40 festivals in Canada and the United States, playing to sold-out audiences, glowing reviews and many awards. Hutch’s physical comedy and storytelling have been compared to Jim Carrey and David Sedaris. He produces two brilliant shows (that consistently sell out) Hutch & Friends and Hutch’s Storytime. Oh and his comedy album, Call Me Hutch, produced by Howl & Roar Records came out just last year!
Tickets: 60
Register Now
Workshop: Creating Your First Storytelling Show, with Christel Bartelse
Sunday, April 12, 2026
2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Burdock Music Hall
|
1184 Bloor Street West, Toronto, Ontario
Creating your first storytelling solo show is a big task, and in this workshop you’ll gain invaluable insights into how to start shaping your ideas into a compelling solo performance. This workshop offers hands-on guidance and discussion, on the creative process, producing your own work, and preparing it for performance and touring.
Take your ideas out of your head and onto the page—and from the page, you'll be able to step into the rehearsal room.
Start building the show only you can create.
Students should come with an Idea of the type of Solo Show they would like to work on.
Christel Bartelse is a multifaceted performer whose work spans acting, comedy, storytelling, clown, directing, writing, and education. She began her career in comedy and improv as one half of the acclaimed physical comedy duo The Burnt Marshmallows (Canadian Comedy Award Nominees), and has since collaborated with a wide range of artists to create bold and original independent work. She is mostly known for having created and written several solo shows, including Chaotica, ONEymoon, All KIDding Aside and most recently A Woman of my Age. She has toured extensively across Canada, the U.S. and the U.K. earning her a reputation as a dynamic and inventive solo artist. A fixture in the Toronto comedy scene, she is regularly seen on stage performing character work, physical comedy, stand-up, and storytelling. She was the Co-producer and Co-host of the hit storytelling show "But That's Another Story", and currently produces and hosts ""Age Ain't Nothing but a Number"" where veteran actors and comedians present material on the theme of Age. In addition to her performance work, she is a passionate educator, leading workshops in improv, physical theatre/clown, and solo performance across Toronto. As a Director she has worked on several shows across various institutions but most recently directed Almost, Maine (Toronto Film School) The Ensemble for Toronto Fringe and their recent remount at The Second City Toronto, The Marvelous Museum of Munsch for George Brown Theatre School and 12 Angry Jurors for Toronto Film School.
Tickets: 60
Register Now
Workshop: Queering Your Story: telling 2SLGBTQIA+ stories, with Queers in Your Ears
Sunday, April 12, 2026
2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Learning how to craft and shape a story can be a transformative experience. For people who feel marginalized or oppressed, sharing stories is a way to be heard and listened to, feeling valued for who we are or who we have become. Queers in Your Ears knows from our work over almost three decades as storytellers that as members of the LGBTQ2S+ community, we need to find ways to share how we see our lives and place in the world.
This workshop will offer participants simple strategies to help build confidence in telling an oral story, and work together to develop a story of their own. We will also give guidance in developing a 2SLGBTQ+ story for 2SLGBTQ+ people and our allies. We’ll share some of the tools we use in developing our own stories including photographs and personal memories that will show you how to shape and enhance your story and give it the power it deserves. As well, part of the art of storytelling is not only sharing stories but also listening to other people's stories. Learning how to be empathetic and respectful in providing feedback and creating a space that feels safe is something that makes us all better storytellers.
* Please note this workshop will take place at a separate venue.
Clare Nobbs has been telling stories for her entire life, getting herself both in and out of trouble more times than she’s had hot dinners. Clare loves to share traditional tales, including folktales from her beloved Yorkshire, but she's happiest telling personal stories and tales with a queer twist with the Queers In Your Ears crew - her storytelling family since 1997.
For more than three decades, Jeffrey Canton has shared folk and fairytales as well as original stories that dig deep into the strata of Toronto’s history as well as, with a little soft-shoe and a gay show tune or two, his own queer past. A long-time member of Queers in Your Ears, Canada’s only 2SLGBTQIA+ storytelling collective, he’s appeared at the Toronto International Storytelling Festival, Replay Story Fest and Nuit Blanche. He’s currently collaborating on an exciting project with Big Pond Small Fish, Mammalian Diving Reflex and the Archives of Ontario. Jeffrey also teaches storytelling courses about telling personal stories through Storytelling Toronto including “Voices Seldom Heard”, the first 2SLGBTQIA+ storytelling course that focuses on the lives and experiences of queer tellers which he originally developed for Storytelling Toronto.
Rico Rodriguez is a storyteller, story writer, drag performer, percussionist, teacher and Union Representative. He delivers highly energetic and participatory storytelling shows. He tells personal stories and folktales, fables and legends from the rich and diverse LatinX cultures. His stories are infused with equity and social justice themes. He tells in Spanish, English, and in Spanglish. He is one of the founders of Queers in Your Ears.
Tickets: 60
Register Now
Workshop: Structuring Your Stories, with Paul Aflalo
Saturday, April 18, 2026
10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Burdock Music Hall
|
1184 Bloor Street West, Toronto, Ontario
Where does your start? Where does your story end? How can you play time?
In this workshop, Replay's Artistic Director, Paul Aflalo will teach you how to structure and edit your stories and turn them into vibrant, compelling narratives that keeps your audience on the edge of the seats, wanting and needing to know what happens next!
Paul Aflalo is a documentary storyteller who helps and encourages others to share their own stories through film, radio, podcasts, and on stage. His work has been featured on CBC, BBC, and The Financial Times, and his films have been presented at festivals around the world. Paul is the artistic director of Replay Storytelling — an all-true storytelling series based in Toronto — which also produces Replay Story Fest, an annual storytelling festival. He has shared his stories on stages across Canada, the United States, and Europe. Paul holds an MFA in Documentary from Toronto Metropolitan University.
Tickets: 60
Register Now
Workshop: Queering Your Story: telling 2SLGBTQIA+ stories, with Queers in Your Ears
Saturday, April 18, 2026
2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Burdock Music Hall
|
1184 Bloor Street West, Toronto, Ontario
Learning how to craft and shape a story can be a transformative experience. For people who feel marginalized or oppressed, sharing stories is a way to be heard and listened to, feeling valued for who we are or who we have become. Queers in Your Ears knows from our work over almost three decades as storytellers that as members of the LGBTQ2S+ community, we need to find ways to share how we see our lives and place in the world.
This workshop will offer participants simple strategies to help build confidence in telling an oral story, and work together to develop a story of their own. We will also give guidance in developing a 2SLGBTQ+ story for 2SLGBTQ+ people and our allies. We’ll share some of the tools we use in developing our own stories including photographs and personal memories that will show you how to shape and enhance your story and give it the power it deserves. As well, part of the art of storytelling is not only sharing stories but also listening to other people's stories. Learning how to be empathetic and respectful in providing feedback and creating a space that feels safe is something that makes us all better storytellers.
Clare Nobbs has been telling stories for her entire life, getting herself both in and out of trouble more times than she’s had hot dinners. Clare loves to share traditional tales, including folktales from her beloved Yorkshire, but she's happiest telling personal stories and tales with a queer twist with the Queers In Your Ears crew - her storytelling family since 1997.
For more than three decades, Jeffrey Canton has shared folk and fairytales as well as original stories that dig deep into the strata of Toronto’s history as well as, with a little soft-shoe and a gay show tune or two, his own queer past. A long-time member of Queers in Your Ears, Canada’s only 2SLGBTQIA+ storytelling collective, he’s appeared at the Toronto International Storytelling Festival, Replay Story Fest and Nuit Blanche. He’s currently collaborating on an exciting project with Big Pond Small Fish, Mammalian Diving Reflex and the Archives of Ontario. Jeffrey also teaches storytelling courses about telling personal stories through Storytelling Toronto including “Voices Seldom Heard”, the first 2SLGBTQIA+ storytelling course that focuses on the lives and experiences of queer tellers which he originally developed for Storytelling Toronto.
Rico Rodriguez is a storyteller, story writer, drag performer, percussionist, teacher and Union Representative. He delivers highly energetic and participatory storytelling shows. He tells personal stories and folktales, fables and legends from the rich and diverse LatinX cultures. His stories are infused with equity and social justice themes. He tells in Spanish, English, and in Spanglish. He is one of the founders of Queers in Your Ears.
Tickets: 60
Register Now
Workshop: Producing and Touring Your Solo Storytelling Show
Sunday, April 19, 2026
11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Burdock Music Hall
|
1184 Bloor Street West, Toronto, Ontario
Join seasoned solo storytelling show producers, performers and touring artists for workshop on how to take your show on the road. You'll learn what it takes to produce a successful tour, promote and market your show.
Christel Bartelse is a multifaceted performer whose work spans acting, comedy, storytelling, clown, directing, writing, and education. She began her career in comedy and improv as one half of the acclaimed physical comedy duo The Burnt Marshmallows (Canadian Comedy Award Nominees), and has since collaborated with a wide range of artists to create bold and original independent work. She is mostly known for having created and written several solo shows, including Chaotica, ONEymoon, All KIDding Aside and most recently A Woman of my Age. She has toured extensively across Canada, the U.S. and the U.K. earning her a reputation as a dynamic and inventive solo artist. A fixture in the Toronto comedy scene, she is regularly seen on stage performing character work, physical comedy, stand-up, and storytelling. She was the Co-producer and Co-host of the hit storytelling show "But That's Another Story", and currently produces and hosts ""Age Ain't Nothing but a Number"" where veteran actors and comedians present material on the theme of Age. In addition to her performance work, she is a passionate educator, leading workshops in improv, physical theatre/clown, and solo performance across Toronto. As a Director she has worked on several shows across various institutions but most recently directed Almost, Maine (Toronto Film School) The Ensemble for Toronto Fringe and their recent remount at The Second City Toronto, The Marvelous Museum of Munsch for George Brown Theatre School and 12 Angry Jurors for Toronto Film School.
Paul Hutcheson is a queer comedic performer, writer and producer. His six solo shows have toured to over 40 festivals in Canada and the United States, playing to sold-out audiences, glowing reviews and many awards. Hutch’s physical comedy and storytelling have been compared to Jim Carrey and David Sedaris. He produces two brilliant shows (that consistently sell out) Hutch & Friends and Hutch’s Storytime. Oh and his comedy album, Call Me Hutch, produced by Howl & Roar Records came out just last year!
Tickets: 60
Register Now
Replay Story Fest Partners
