Light in the Dark
A World Storytelling Day Event
Light in the Dark — A World Storytelling Day Celebration of Story, Community, and Creative Renewal
Celebrate World Storytelling Day "Light in the Dark", a joyful afternoon of storytelling, creativity, and connection, on Sunday, March 22 at The Rotunda, 4014 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA, featuring an interactive storytelling workshop, a shared lunch experience, and a dynamic showcase of live storytelling performances.
This is an invitation to pause, remember, and be inspired by what stories have always done for humanity: illuminate, heal, challenge, comfort, and connect. Whether humorous, poignant, or mythic, storytelling offers us a way to find meaning and beauty even in uncertain times.
Storytellers include: Michele Belluomini, Carin Bonifacino, JR Denson, Paul Heery, Tesia Nicoli, Karen Reiner, Tannia Schrieber, Barbara Sherf, Christina Sturgis, Christopher Wade, and Denise McCormack.
Denise McCormack, Patchwork’s president and torch-bearer, will host the event and shares:
“Stories are the lampposts given to us by our predecessors in life. They encourage us, mark the way, and smooth the road—often revealing bypasses and shortcuts—so that we might stride toward our destinations with confidence and clarity. And it is our stories that will one day light the way for others. This showcase is a testament to that power, and to that generosity of spirit.”
Patchwork’s event welcomes both longtime lovers of storytelling and those discovering it for the first time. Whether you attend to learn, to listen, or simply to share in the warmth of community, this celebration promises an afternoon of inspiration and connection through story.
BE PART OF OUR STORY
Patchwork Storytelling Guild believes that storytelling is more than entertainment—it is cultural preservation, emotional truth-telling, and a bridge between people.
About the Faciliator
Karen Reiner
Karen Reiner is a comedic storyteller and stand-up comic who finds humor in everyday life—and in the many roles she’s juggled along the way, including Human Resources director, Girl Scout troop leader, mother of four, and “golf widow.”
She has performed at venues including The Bell House (Brooklyn), World Café Live (Philadelphia), and the Princeton Arts Council, and has won both Overall Winner and Audience Favorite multiple times at Philadelphia’s First Person Arts Story Slam.
Her stories are appropriate for all ages—and she’s proudly un-bleepable.
About The Tellers
Denise McCormack
Denise McCormack is a celebrated storyteller and performance artist who shares the breadth and depth of story wisdom with those who choose to listen. Her carefully selected and beloved tales have enchanted audiences on stages near and far, each one possessed of its own unique personality, secrets, and perspectives. As president of Patchwork: A Storytelling Guild, Denise serves as flame-keeper and torch-bearer for this wonderfully vibrant storytelling culture.
Michele Belluomini
Michele has been storytelling for over 20 years. She has performed at various Storytelling conferences and Festivals, at the Mercer Museum in Doylestown, PA, as well as other museums, libraries, and schools in the Philadelphia area.
Carin Bonifacino
Carin's favorite story to tell is that of being descended from mushroom growers on both sides of her family. (True!) She currently works at Grieco Funeral Home in Kennett Square, PA, and regularly gets to tell the stories of people's lives as a funeral and memorial service celebrant, work that she finds deeply meaningful. Carin is the mother of two wonderful adults, the wife of Patrick O'Neill, her best friend, and a nature lover through and through.
JR Denson
JR Denson --a Washington, DC native-- is a college professor and a part time emergency medical technician (EMT). He has become increasingly involved in the DMV's storytelling scene ever since accidentally falling into it right before the pandemic. JR has performed for both local and national storytelling organizations such as The Perfect Liar's Club, the Story Collider, and NPR’s The Moth.
Paul Heery
Paul retired early four years ago from a corporate job and now pursues his passion for storytelling. As a StorySLAM champion at The Moth, he has appeared on stage at more than 30 Moth events, honing the art of live narrative. Paul blends strategic insight with creative flair, helping audiences connect through compelling, relatable stories. He has also authored screenplays, a collection of creative non-fiction essays and a memoir.
Tesia Nicoli
Tesia Nicoli is a storyteller, speaker, and acting coach with a background in theatre production and marketing. A Communication Studies graduate and commencement speaker, she blends performance, humor, and practical insight to help people find clarity, momentum, and meaning through story. Tesia teaches, writes, and speaks about the moments that change how we see ourselves and each other.
Karen Reiner
Karen Reiner is a comedic storyteller and stand-up comic whose ability to find humor in everyday life enabled her to keep a tenuous hold on her sanity throughout her various careers as a Human Resources director, Girl Scout troop leader, mother of four, and golf widow.
Tannia Schreiber
I have defined myself in many ways over the years. Inner-city daughter of a resilient Colombian widow, then full-ride college student at an Ivy League university, labor negotiator, strategy consultant, day camp director, wife, and now as a 52-year-old mother to two wonderful boys who have challenged me and taught me more than all of the other roles combined.
Barbara Sherf
Barb Sherf is a grateful storyteller in early sobriety. She is co-author of "Cowboy Mission: The Best Sermons are Lived...Not Preached" with her late father, and is writing another book tentatively titled: "My Soap Opera to Sobriety -Love Letters, Essays and AHA Moments." Barb wears many hats -as an award winning print and broadcast journalist, a gifted speech coach, a bio, obit and memoir writer, and capturer or your or your family story.
Christina Sturgis
Christina Sturgis is an award-winning journalist who was a staff writer at newspapers including the Times Union at Albany. She was a frequent contributor to the Times of Trenton. She now blogs at CLSreal.com and edits the monthly newsletter, The Pulse of DDUUC at the Dorothea Dix Unitarian Universalist Community.
Christopher Wade
Chris Wade is a native Washingtonian who has been engaged in the art of storytelling for over a decade. He has performed at Story Districts Top Shelf at the Lincoln Theater, DMV Made on the National Mall, Bar Talks premier show at Friends, Kitchen and Cocktails, Story Collider, Perfect Liars Club and other venues throughout the region. His storytelling is rooted in real-life experiences and delivered with authenticity, warmth, and humor.
About 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.
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.
We strive 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.
Our Partners & Affiliates
