The International Storytelling Center

Building a Better World
Through Stories.

- Boston Globe

"The small audience hangs on every word,
sound, and gesture of the storyteller on stage.
Under her spell, we wait, gasp, and exhale as one."

- Smithsonian

“From all over America,
people came to Jonesborough
just to hear stories. ”

- New York Times

“…where thousands of the faithful
gather to take part in one of
humankind's most satisfying rites. ”

- Los Angeles Times

“For what New Orleans is to jazz. . .
Jonesborough is to storytelling. ”

- The Boston Globe

“[Lepp] goes for the funny bone.
He stuffs his hands in his pockets
and leans back as he nonchalantly
lets drop the zinger to his tale. ”

- U.S. News and World Report

“The old-fashioned art of storytelling
has become a 21st century sensation. ”

"Building a Better World Through Stories."

We believe in a better life, a better world, through the power of storytelling.

Learn More

ISC’s next Freedom Stories Initiative: What You Don’t Know (But Should) About Appalachian Slavery is live on our Facebook Timeline on September 5th at 1pm:

Click Here to View

Featured Event

Storytelling Festival 2020

Join us online for the 2020 National Storytelling Festival for an all-new digital experience. Enjoy 20+ hours of storytelling at your leisure during the event or for up to 7 days after the event. The Storytelling Festival takes place October 1-3.

Click here to learn more about the 2020 National Storytelling Festival

Featured Event

Freedom Stories

You likely know about the sprawling cotton plantations of the Deep South, but have you heard of the “Iron Plantations” of Appalachia? Join us for this free, live discussion on the lesser-known details of Appalachian slavery. Together, we’ll learn the history of slavery here, including the impact on Central Appalachia and beyond. The event and Q & A will take place via Facebook Live on September 5 from 1-2:30 pm EST on ISC’s Facebook timeline. Visit the Freedom Stories page for more info and panelist bios.

Stories in Motion April 13, 2020

Stories in Motion: The Sound of Silence

Appropriately enough, ISC President Kiran Singh...

Visit Us

Our physical location is temporarily closed until further notice. The health and safety of our visitors and staff is our top priority. While closed, our mission of improving lives through storytelling endures, and we are working on digital performances, interviews, educational content, and other programs. Visit our Stories page, listen to our StoryVault podcast, watch our You Tube videos from past festivals, and continue to tune in.

The International Storytelling Center (ISC) is located in the heart of downtown Jonesborough. The ISC campus consists of the historic Chester Inn, the Mary B. Martin Storytelling Hall, the ISC gift shop, and the Jimmy Neil Smith Storytelling Park.

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