Life is better in the telling.
Better Said Than Done’s mission is to educate and provide opportunities for performance, discussion and community building through the provision of educational workshops and classes in the art of storytelling and the production of storytelling performances and festivals. We support the artistic development of storytellers, including community members who are new to the art form and underrepresented voices. Through performances and The Women’s Storytelling Festival, we promote public interest, knowledge, understanding and participation in the art of storytelling in and around Virginia, and in the broader community online.
Practice Areas
Storytelling shows, workshops, presentations, and coaching. And the Women’s Storytelling Festival.
Better Said Than Done was granted 501(c)(3) status as a public charity
in 2023. Our organization produces storytelling shows throughout Northern Virginia and beyond, featuring experienced and new performers from our community of spoken word storytellers. We also produce the annual Women’s Storytelling Festival, in Fairfax City, VA, each March. With stories ranging in length from 7-70 minutes, the shows are energetic, engaging, and highly entertaining. They may be funny, poignant, silly, or unbelievable, but they will convince audiences that life is better in the telling.
Better Said Than Done hosts events locally, online, and can travel to give performances, presentations, and workshops at corporate events, comedy clubs, schools, and anywhere else you would like to hear a story.
Better Said Than Done defines storytelling as the art of performing a story in front of a live audience. Our stories are personal – each storyteller writes about their own experiences – they are often true, and they are a story, meaning they have a beginning, middle, and end. Most importantly, audiences are entertained because our stories are performed.
Stories Made Possible…
With the generous support of
ArtsFairfax
Better Said Than Done is funded in part by ArtsFairfax.
Stay Curious. Stay Local. #ArtsFairfax
Community Foundation for Northern Virginia
Building a Community that Works for Everyone
Virginia Commission for the Arts
This project was supported, in part, by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
What our customers say
★★★★★
“I am so grateful for the trust that [Better Said Than Done Executive Director] Jessica [Robinson] has in me. She has offered me opportunities to tell stories and almost every time I tell my true, personal, story, someone comes up to me and says, “me too.” I am grateful that she very intentionally gives space and time to people with disabilities to tell our stories, on our terms. I will forever miss Anne Thomas, another disabled storyteller who also told with Better Said Than Done. Anne’s stories made me feel seen and affirmed and now it’s my turn to show people with disabilities that they are not alone. Through my storytelling at Better Said Than Done, I’ve been able to tell some hard truths of my life as a disabled person and people have listened and I have changed hearts and minds. That makes me feel incredibly powerful. The people I have met through Better Said Than Done have become family and we are able to tell each other when life is really, really hard. As a teacher, Jessica has high standards, which make me better. She balances those high standards with humor and gentleness so that I never feel like I am inferior to her. I have enjoyed learning the art of storytelling and getting to hear other people’s true, personal stories. This has been an enriching experience and I’m so, so, grateful.” Alexandra
“I have virtually watched, enjoyed, and been inspired by the depth, breadth, and professionalism of storytellers at The Women’s Storytelling Festival. Better Said Than Done selects performances by diversely talented professional storytellers, and the curated festival is a joy to experience.” – Adair Heitmann, award-winning storyteller, educator, writer, and artist
“Jessica was a skilled instructor and facilitator who passionately conveyed the power of storytelling while staying patient with our questions and emerging efforts. When reviewing our stories, she shone a light on what was effective and encouraged us to excavate for special elements that could help our stories come to life. We recommend her to anyone who wants to begin or improve their storytelling to elevate their messaging and communication skills.” – Bloom Planning
“Amplifying the voices of women and stories that are sometimes not given the space to tell some of the content that was safely shared. WSF provides a safe, welcoming space for the voices of diverse women and diverse to be heard, valued and supported. Thank you to Women’s Storytelling Festival for providing a safe and welcoming space for the voices of diverse women and stories to be heard, valued and supported. A phenomenal festival!” – Kristin Pedemonti
“Jessica and her Better Said Than Done workshops launched my storytelling journey, and now keeps it blossoming.
I started with her “intro” online course, receiving essential critiques that shaped and preserved the best parts of my storytelling style.
Each time Jessica recited a story, I realized I was learning from a master.
Her modeling, advice and gentle critiques give me more courage to keep going live.”
– M. Fryburg
“These stories were ‘different’ from a typical festival. Though spectacularly executed, these stories were not ‘for show.’ They were rich in deeply felt emotions, experiences and connection to story. Honestly this was the highlight of all the storytelling Zoom programs I’ve been watching. What a completely splendid festival!! Huzzah!!”
– Karla Hunstman
“I wasn’t sure I had time to watch much, but I just can’t stop it’s so amazing!!!!
I’m loving seeing tellers who are friends, tellers I don’t know personally but I know and love their work, and tellers new to me!”
– Liz Nichols
“Brava, Ladies! What a wonderful Festival. Good design, good production value, good variety, good energy, good spirit. Keep up the good word.”
– Ed Stivender
“ The festival was filled with joyful, strong and thoughtful women who delighted me with their stories, had me thinking about their journeys in life and enraptured me in their telling!”
– Marsha Wong