Begin it Now
with Stella Kassimati
Dates : 27th Feb - 1st March 2026
Course Location: Peredur Centre, East Grinstead, West Sussex, RH19 4NF, UK
Course times:

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 19:30–21:30
Sat, 28 Feb 2026 09:00–17:00

Sun, 1 Mar 2026 09:00–12:30

“Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it!” Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.

This is the ideal course to lead you into something completely new, something you’ve never done before, but want to start now: Storytelling. If you have ever wondered what it would be like to tell a traditional story or a myth, if you’ve ever thought “I could never remember all that”….. if you’ve ever struggled with speaking in front of an audience, then this could be just the course for you. Begin it Now!

By the end of the weekend you’ll have a traditional story under your belt, gained confidence in speaking in front of others and go away with some hot tips on how best to tell a story. All this will take place in a supportive atmosphere at Emerson College, with plenty of fun to allow you to unfold your natural creativity and begin storytelling now!

No experience and a willingness to try out new things are the requirements for this course.

This course is the recommended first step into Storytelling at the School of Storytelling, Emerson College.

Testimonials:

The Guardian recognises “Begin it Now!” workshop with Stella Kassimati at Emerson College, UK as one of the 15 U.K.’s best creative retreats. https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2021/may/29/crafty-breaks-15-of-the-uks-best-creative-retreats fbclid=IwAR3oX6PIC_teA1tVDdRM828CJM8UBKFup_I0ZPD5FriSIdpzQO7zLzJXcLo

“In just a short weekend, Stella really set the foundations for my storytelling. I was amazed at how much I learnt and how often I come back to the advice that she gave me. She brought her warm heart and her playful energy, and made the weekend magical.” Chris Adriaanse, U.K. Begin it Now! 2017 with Stella.

This course can be taken on its own, or combined with other modules in the longer - Storytelling Beyond Words programme - A three months Storytelling course to meet the challenges of these times.

Starting in 2026, the School of Storytelling is offering its flagship three month course in modular units up to one month at a time, over three years to make it easier for people to carve out the time to attend.

You can sign up to any unit or take the entire programme as follows:

Year 1

27th Feb -1st March / Begin it Now - A weekend storyteller´s craft course for beginners

2nd - 13th March / Folktales in Troubled Times - A fresh and critical view of the wisdom of the oral tradition.

15th - 27th March (fully booked) or 20th September-2nd October / Once Upon a Lifetime - Weaving biographical storytelling and traditional wondertales to one performance.

Year 2

Eco-Mythology / working with the interweaving of land and myth

Voice and Movement

Individual coaching

Module dates and price to be confirmed

Year 3

March 2028