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."

Today’s Freedom Stories Event is live on our Facebook Timeline:

Click Here to View

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

Learn More

Featured Event

Freedom Stories

You’ve heard about Juneteenth, but what about Emancipation Saturday? Join us for this free, live discussion on this lesser-known Appalachian emancipation celebration. Together, we’ll learn the history behind the celebration, including the role that President Andrew Johnson played in Emancipation Saturday and the celebration’s spread throughout Central Appalachia. The event and Q & A will take place via Facebook Live on August 8 from 1-2:30 EST on ISC’s timeline. Visit the Freedom Stories page for more info and panelist bios.

COVID-19

Programming Update

Due the risks of COVID-19, ISC has made the difficult decision to move all 2020 progamming to a digital platform, including the Storytelling Live! Teller-in-Residence series and the 48th Annual National Storytelling Festival. Click for more information on the Festival, our move to digital, and ticketing options.

Blog April 2, 2020

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.

Get Directions

Today’s Freedom Stories Event is live on our Facebook Timeline:

Click Here to View

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

Freedom Stories

Programming Update

Step One: Wash the Dishes

Need a bedtime story?

Stories in Motion: The Sound of Silence