Foundations—Stories that made us
Tellabration: Foundations — Stories That Made Us
Sunday, November 22• 2 PM | The Rotunda, Philadelphia, PA
Patchwork Storytelling Guild celebrates Tellabration™ 2026 with Foundations — Stories That Made Us, a hallmark celebration of storytelling honoring the artistry, essence, and revelatory impact of stories.
Expect an eclectic afternoon filled with personal stories, traditional tales, a creation story, a fairy tale with a twist, music, laughter, reflection, and perhaps a surprise or two along the way.
—because foundations aren't always what we imagine.
Hosted by Denise McCormack, president of Patchwork, this showcase brings together a powerhouse of gathered voices.
Tellers include: Michele Belluomini, Paul Best, Sanjukta Bhowmik, Ingrid Bohn, Carin Bonifacino, Denise McCormack, Mike Nessle, Sophia Pazos, Barbara Sherf, Ed Stivender, Christina Sturgis, and David Vanadia.
“Storytelling has a remarkable way of bringing us into one another’s lives. We may come from different places, carry different histories, and see the world differently, but for a little while, we sit together and listen. We recognize something of ourselves in someone else’s story, and sometimes we discover something we hadn’t considered before. That exchange—the laughter, the surprise, the tenderness, the questions—is part of the particular radiance of live storytelling.
" Imagine: The experience of this singular show is like no other, and no gathering quite like this will ever happen again. I hope as many people as possible will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the gift of story, presented by our remarkable storytellers, this praiseworthy collective in celebration of story.”
Set in The Rotunda, Philadelphia’s vibrant arts venue in the heart of University City, this event celebrates storytelling as a cornerstone of community, creativity, and cultural dialogue. Audiences will be immersed in narratives that are thoughtfully honed, deeply human, and brimming with the transformative power of story.
Our Tellers
Denise McCormack (Your Host)
Denise McCormack is a dynamic storyteller and creative professional whose talents transcend mediums, crafting meaningful narratives that truly connect with audiences.
Her extensive involvement in cultural, educational, and artistic initiatives reflects her dedication to nurturing the art form and building storytelling communities. As president of Patchwork, she coordinates a variety of storytelling events each year, providing opportunities for others to share their stories and storytelling strategies—both as tellers and listeners.
In essence, Denise is fueled by her passion for the transformative power of stories. She believes that there is a story for every time and purpose under heaven, each carrying the potential to inspire, educate, and unite.
Step into Denise’s world of storytelling, where powerful stories, meaningful messages, and vibrant communities come together to spark imagination and stir the soul. www.DeniseMcCormack.live
Michele Belluomini
Michele has been storytelling at various museums and festivals, schools, libraries, and churches for the last 20+ years. In 2006 and in 2012 she performed her one-woman show —Stories to Heal the Earth— on the Fringe stages of the respective National Storytelling Conferences. She was a featured storyteller at the Mercer Museum for their 2016 “Twilight Tales” series. And she has performed at various local festivals including the Lehigh Valley Storytelling Festival, the New Jersey Storytelling Festival, various Tellabrations!, as well as Philadelphia Fringe Festival performances.
As Blue Deer Storytelling, she is a University of Pennsylvania Outreach Program presenter and a valued member of the National Storytelling Network and Patchwork: A Storytelling Guild.
Paul Best
Paul D. Best is a storyteller, educator, photographer, and founder of Black Boys Makin’ Noise Storytelling Troupe. As a Museum Educator at the Penn Museum and former Director of Oral History Projects at the Independence Seaport Museum, he helps people discover the extraordinary stories of everyday life. Paul believes that "the whole world is a museum—a place filled with stories and wonder," and works to preserve culture, spark curiosity, and strengthen connections across generations.
Sanjukta Bhowmik
An educator, traveller and collector of stories. I believe stories connect across cultures, geographies, bringing people closer and realizing a deep resonance with the world. I bring stories in the classroom to encourage my students to explore and remember their . I am also the cofounder of a digital storytelling platform, "obo".
Ingrid Bohn
Ingrid Bohn, an Interactive Theater and Storytelling performance artist, engages audiences through story, song, dance, and poetry. She wields a vast repertoire of stories to suit any age. Performing in PA & NJ, and on the virtual stage, her career spans over a decade. Ingrid's passionate and deliberate delivery style is sure to capture your imagination and heart.
Carin Bonifacino
Carin Bonifacino lives and works in Chester County, Pennsylvania. She is new to storytelling although for the last 6 years has been regularly telling the stories of people's lives as a funeral and memorial service celebrant. She is the proud mother of two, the wife of a wonderful man, and a nature lover through and through.
Mike Nessle
Mike is a former sound and lighting technician for corporate conferences and trade shows. He is a storyteller and wood carver who is a fan of the American TIKI culture and enjoys travelling the US. Mike grew up in Southeastern Pennsylvania and fell in love with storytelling while listening to stories about the Southwest from his Texas born Grandmother, Erin Dixon.
Sophia Pazos
Sophia Pazos, (she/ella), is a fat, sober, bisexual, Latine, Scorpio, cat lady and native New Yorker. She works as a social work administrator and a psychotherapist. Sophia has performed in Queer Memoir, How To Build A Fire, and So What Happened Was to name a few. When she began story telling, Sophia had dreams of being an elegant performer. She has now accepted that she is a postmenopausal, neurodivergent, clumsy, sarcastic yet endearing performer.
Barbara Sherf
An award-winning print and broadcast journalist turned publicist, speech coach, and communications professional, Barbara is founder of The Joy Club, an author and ghostwriter, turned sober storyteller living in the Mt. Airy section of Philly.
She is devoted to the transformative power of oral storytelling through raw, first-person accounts of her recovery. She details how each experience finding her "why" in life shaped her for the next "why." In her current "why" she shares her experience, strength and hope as part of "My Soap Opera to Sobriety."
Ed Stivender
Ed Stivender has been touring internationally with his One-Man-Shows and Storytelling Workshops since 1980. A recipient of the Circle of Excellence Award of the National Storytelling Network, he has been called "the Robin Williams of Storytelling" by the Miami Herald and "A cross between George Carlin and Mark Twain" by Mara Liasson in the Vineyard Gazette.
Christina Sturgis
Christina Sturgis is an award-winning writer, editor, photographer and storyteller. She revitalized her church newsletter with a series of short, humorous speeches how life is more fulfilling when you contribute to your church newsletter.
David Vanadia
David Vanadia is a storyteller who enjoys erasing lines. He has performed in the United States and abroad, and he is happy to be here to share a tale with you today.
About Patchwork Storytelling Guild
About Patchwork: A Storytelling Guild
Patchwork Storytelling Guild is a member-supported 501c3 non-profit organization serving the needs of the Philadelphia Metro area, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, the Delaware Valley, and beyond.
Its mission is to provide a forum for storytellers and to promote the art of storytelling through community outreach related to the practice, performance, and value of storytelling. Patchwork offers: monthly story swaps, coaching sessions, performance opportunities... and more.
About The The Rotunda
THE ROTUNDA
The Rotunda, located in Philadelphia, PA, is a community-gathering place that is fueled by the belief that art is a catalyst for social change and that the arts can lead to the formation of meaningful partnerships between our parent organization the University of Pennsylvania, and surrounding neighborhoods. Over 300 events are offered every year, including live music, film, spoken word, theater, art, dance, education, youth programs, arts incubation, and various experimental genres. As an alcohol-free venue, The Rotunda provides a critical social alternative for all ages. At its core, The Rotunda is a shared space fostering learning, enrichment, and community support while empowering the public to present, produce, and promote their work.
ACCESSIBILITY
- Left side of the building toward the back (follow the path between Cinemark movie theater and The Rotunda): There are seven steps up to enter the venue.
- Right side of the building toward the back: There is a ramp equipped for wheelchairs, strollers, walkers, and all other assistive devices. Follow the concrete path from Walnut Street. Once inside, make a right into the hallway and then make a left at the restroom. This entrance is kept locked except during events.
- The venue has a ramp onto the stage as well, stage right. It's ADA compliant and brand new and snazzy.
- There is a single-occupancy, all-gender ADA restroom on the first floor, almost as soon as you enter from the ramp. This restroom is also equipped with a baby changing station.
- There are additional, all-gender restrooms in the basement. The restroom on the east side of the basement is equipped with three toilets. The restroom on the west side of the basement is equipped with three toilets and two
- The venue is not air-conditioned.