About us.
Better Said Than Done (BSTD) was founded as a community minded, small business in May 2011 with the goal of bringing storytelling to Northern Virginia. In addition to producing storytelling shows, BSTD began offering storytelling workshops to teach foundational skills to anyone who wanted to be able to perform a story but did not feel they already had that ability.
In March 2020, BSTD produced the first Women’s Storytelling Festival (WSF) at The Old Town Hall in Fairfax City, VA. During the covid pandemic shutdown, BSTD produced at least one monthly storytelling show online, as well as the 2021 WSF. In 2022, BSTD resumed in-person storytelling shows, and the WSF returned to The Old Town Hall, though shows continue to also be offered online.
BSTD also performs for Senior Centers, Libraries, Parks, Museums, and Pre-Schools. BSTD offers in-house storytelling workshops as well as workshops and presentations for any organization looking to learn more about the art of storytelling.
Always a community minded organization, in October of 2023, BSTD received 501(c)3 designation and began operating as a non-profit.
Better Said Than Done is committed to fostering a respectful environment for all. Our mission is to educate and provide opportunities for performance, discussion, and community building through educational workshops and classes in the art of storytelling, as well as 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. In carrying out this mission, we are dedicated to ensuring that access and opportunity are available to all.
Better Said Than Done complies with all applicable civil rights statutes and regulations prohibiting discrimination and does not discriminate in the administration of its programs, services, or activities on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, parental/family status, sexual orientation, military status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.
Read our full Non-Discrimination Policy Here.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you cannot find the information you’re looking for, contact us here.
How do we hire a storyteller, speaker, or workshop leader?
The easiest way to contact us is to use our Contact Us Form Here. Or you can send an email to stories@bettersaidthandone.org.
How do I sign up to tell a story?
On our Contact Page, we have a section called Pitch Us a Story. We update it every few months, so sometimes it is out of date, but that’s the easiest way. If you’d like to apply for the Women’s Storytelling Festival, that application form is here.
What’s the Best Way to Keep Up to Date?
That depends on your preferences. Subscribe to our newsletter, if you’ll read it. Our newsletter goes out about once a month and lists our upcoming shows and workshops in one handy dandy email. Subscribe to our calendar here. Subscribe to our blog and you’ll get notified when we publish new posts. Or follow us on your preferred social media. You can find links to subscribe and follow us in any which way you like on our Contact Page Here.
What is the Women’s Storytelling Festival?
The Women’s Storytelling Festival, produced annually in March by Better Said Than Done, is a festival celebrating all women and gender nonconforming spoken-word performing artists. The festival debuted in March 2020 in Fairfax City, VA. The Women’s Storytelling Festival is performed live, in-person, as well as live-streamed and available to online viewers for one month after the live-stream.
How can I support Better Said Than Done?
First and foremost, we are a storytelling organization. We host storytelling shows, workshops, and the annual Women’s Storytelling Festival. Buy tickets. We tell and teach stories for food! We are also always looking for volunteers to help with live events, or people with skills like grant writing, marketing, etc., to connect with for our Board of Directors or Committees. If interested in volunteering, contact stories@bettersaidthandone.org.
Want to contact us for a news segment or article?
We’re here to help. Let’s talk.
Our Amazing Team
Better Said Than Done is always recruiting for our all volunteer Board of Directors, for the Women’s Storytelling Festival Committee, or for various volunteer opportunities throughout the year. If you live in or near Fairfax County, Virginia, are a fan of storytelling, and would like to volunteer time to growing and supporting the art of storytelling in our community, let us know.
Read about our Executive Director and some of our Board of Directors below.
Founding Executive Director
Jessica Robinson
Storyteller, author, keynote speaker, and teacher. Better Said Than Done keeps Jessica pretty busy, but you can find out about her book tours and public events here.
Board Secretary
Miriam Nadel
Board Treasurer
Bonnie Gardner
Bonnie Gardner has extensive experience as a staff member and volunteer leader in the nonprofit sector, primarily focused on education. A former journalist drawn to storytelling, she performs in the DC area and has appeared at state festivals and the Women’s Storytelling Festival.
Board Member
Cyndi Wish
Cyndi Wish is a creator, administrator, consumer, and appreciator of arts and culture. She has served non-profit and community organizations throughout the country as leadership staff and on Boards and committees. Her work has included launching innovative educational programs, leading exhibitions, and producing platforms including public art spaces, large scale open studio events, kiddie bike parades, and car shows.
Board Member
Stacy Crickmer
Stacy is an award-winning actress, singer, dancer in the DC area theatre scene. Her day job is IT for the American Cancer Society non-profit. She has so much respect for those who can tell REAL stories and has supported BSTD since its founding in 2011.
Board Member
Carol Moore
Carol Moore is a storyteller, speaker, and public speaking coach who works with clients to manage communication challenges and craft impactful narratives. As an artist who loves a good story, she is always excited to both listen and perform, grateful to be a part of this amazing team, and couldn’t be prouder to serve the community through the art of storytelling.
Find more here.