by Alan Jozwiak
“Tell me a story?”
What parent has not heard their child ask this question? For both children and adults, the need to hear a good story is powerful. From reading the latest best-selling novel to the latest binge-worthy show, the lure of a good story is a siren’s song that is almost irresistible to ignore.
Stories and storytelling take center stage this weekend as the fifth annual Cincinnati Storytelling Festival. Happening Thursday, November 13 through Saturday, November 15, 2025 in their new home at Know Theatre in the heart of OTR.
Why You Should Attend
The festival features at least two storytelling sessions per day on a chosen topic (everything from “Twisted Tales” to “My Favorite Stories!”). The one that I am looking forward to the most is the “Spooky Stories” on Friday night at 8:30 pm. While growing up, I regularly told ghost stories by firelight as a Boy Scout, causing many scouts to lose sleep or have nightmares. Good times.
The festival features three storytellers. The first is the founder of the Cincinnati Storytelling Festival Paul Strickland. Strickland has delighted Cincinnati audiences for years with his tales about the trailer park denizens Ain’t True and Uncle False.
Also featured are nationally known storytellers Charlotte Blake Alston and Bil Lepp. Alston has made a career of telling stories, appearing at such venues as the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the Smithsonian Institution. She specializes in telling traditional and contemporary stories from African and African American oral and cultural traditions. Through her tales, Alston makes the story of the past relevant to today’s audiences.
Bil Lepp is also an established award-winning storyteller who appears on both the History Channel and NPR. He has written seven books and been on twenty-one audio collections. As a family-friendly storyteller, Lepp appeals to children and the child in each and every one of us. He has appeared at the National Storytelling Festival and at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival.
Besides the two later sessions on Saturday, there is going to be a free session of children’s stories at 2 pm. Then True Theatre joins forces with the Cincinnati Storytelling Festival by having a True Theatre session on Saturday at 4:30 pm.
If you are interested in stories, the Cincinnati Storytelling Festival is the place to visit this weekend.
Tickets to the Cincinnati Storytelling Festival
For the breakdown of individual shows and ticketing information, go to the Know Theatre website. There is an option to buy individual show tickets, day passes, and weekend passes November 13-15. Click HERE FOR TICKETS AND INFORMATION.
Coming Up Next for Strickland
Strickland’s holiday version of Ain’t True and Uncle False for the Holidays! with fellow storyteller and theatre artist Erika MacDonald. Coming December 7-14. Don’t miss it!
