Ex Fabula Storytelling Coaches

Storytelling coaches lead public and private workshops for various groups, organizations, and schools across the Milwaukee area. These teaching artists are experienced facilitators and storytellers who are trained by Ex Fabula to foster Brave Spaces and help each participant tap into their inner storyteller. Storytelling coaches can also be hired to provide one-on-one coaching to anyone looking to grow their skills or craft a story for a specific event.

Meet Our Storytelling Coaches

Yomarie Castellano

Deserae Constantineau

A person with dark skin and face-framing locs smiles. They are wearing a brown sweatshirt, and white collared shirt. There are trees in the background.

JJ Draper

De’Shawn Ewing

Rochelle Fritsch

Lauren, a white woman with brunette hair and a brown scarf is smiling at the camera with a street behind her.

Lauren Instenes

Karen, a white woman with short grey/blonde hair, is smiling at the camera.

Karen Kolberg

Michaela Lacy

Nelson Lopez

Elaine Maly

Megan McGee

Alea McHatten

Eno Meier

Shawn Mitchell

Kim Shine

Sloan, a woman with long, curly brown hair. The sun is shining brightly on her and there is water in the background.

Shannon Sloan-Spice

Mark has short brown hair, a mustache and a beard. He's wearing a blue tshirt and is speaking into a microphone.

Mark Steidl

Headshot of Mark, a white man with a short grey beard. He is smiling at the camera and there are trees behind him

Mark Weinberg

Amy Wilbourne has short, grey and brown hair, dark glasses, and blue eyes. She is smiling into the camera.

Amy Wilbourne

Working on an especially important story? Whether you need help finding the narrative through line or just want to gain confidence in sharing your story, Ex Fabula storytelling coaches can help you reach your goals through private, one-on-one storytelling coaching.

The basic coaching package includes:

  • a conversation to identify your goals for coaching
  • us matching you with a suitable storytelling coach.
  • a pre-session phone call with the coach to go over your goals for the session
  • a one-hour in person coaching session at a mutually agreeable location in the City of Milwaukee (could be a coffee shop, library, office, private residence, etc); coaches can travel for additional cost.
  • a follow up phone call where the coach can hear your story after you’ve had time to reflect on it.

We are seeking teaching artists to join our roster of contract storytelling coaches, including lead coaches, assistant coaches, and aides. Story coaching (one-on-one coaching or workshop facilitation) may take place around SE Wisconsin or virtually; during workdays, in evenings, or over the weekend. Contractors may decline any coaching session or workshop offered at any time.

Responsibilities:

  • Foster Brave Spaces where individuals are treated with dignity; prevent and interrupt harm whenever possible. 
  • Provide story coaching to Ex Fabula’s clients and community partners.
  • Work with other storytelling coaches to plan and present workshops.
  • Facilitate hands-on, small group activities to help workshop participants create a Brave Space, learn the elements of an effective story, generate story ideas, identify the important elements of their story, and workshop their stories.
  • Craft and share stories as needed.
  • Communicate with Ex Fabula staff before workshops (workshop goals, logistics, materials needed) and afterwards (evaluation, wrap up, invoicing) and complete all documentation as requested.
  • Strategic and judicious decision-making with consistent follow-through and attention to detail.

Qualifications:

  • Commitment to Ex Fabula’s mission, vision, and values, which include equity, individuality, intentionality, representation, non-hierarchical, leading by example, interactivity, and incrementalism.
  • Ability to work without supervision.
  • Ability to work well within diverse communities.
  • Previous experience (formal or informal) sharing personal stories (written, oral, or other formats).
  • Previous experience (formal or informal) as a facilitator, teacher, teaching artist, or coach.
  • Desire to continuously learn and grow as part of a community of coaches.
  • A professional and resourceful style; the ability to work independently and as a team player, to take initiative, and to prioritize appropriately while managing multiple tasks and projects at a time.

Ex Fabula is committed to equality and equity. See our Nondiscrimination Policy here. We strongly encourage proposals from people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, individuals with disabilities, and members of other historically under-represented groups.

This is a part-time, contract position. Contractors will be compensated on a flat fee basis for each workshop session. Current fees range from $40 to $250+ depending on role (Lead coach, assistant or aide) and the nature of the workshop(s) or other session(s) contracted for. Fees may change at any time, but will be fully disclosed with each offer.

To apply, please choose 2 to 3 elements of this position and tell us a few brief personal stories that show how you’re a fit for this work. Your stories may be written or captured via audio or video recording (cell phone quality is fine). Please complete this form or email your stories to info@exfabula.org and put “Storytelling coach” in the subject line. No resume or references required but are welcome.