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True Stories Told by Those Who
Lived Them
About Deb Williams
Storyteller, Creator, Director, Teacher, Actor, Director, Playwright, Comedian.
Deb Williams is an award-winning actor, playwright, producer, and comedian who has worked across Canada and the world for over 40 years. Deb is one of the co-creators/stars of the 5 Moms the Word plays, enjoyed by over 2 million people in 19 countries and 15 languages. Deb is a co-founder and the Artistic Producer of The Flame, Canada's West Coast's premier storytelling event since 2009. Deb premiered her one-person show, "Taking Off," at the Belfry Theatre in 2016. She has been an Associate Artist at the Belfry Theatre for 13 years. Deb graduated from Studio 58 and is a community organizer and builder, creating art, festivals and celebrations wherever she lives.
EQUITY HONOURS 2026
Changemaker Award
EQUITY HONOURS 2026 - Change Maker Award - Deborah Williams
At the heart of Deborah Williams’s work is a belief that every voice matters. Through her creativity, teaching, and community engagement, she harnesses the transformative power of storytelling to connect, inspire, and empower. Her work illuminates the human experience, fosters empathy, and creates opportunities for individuals to see themselves—and one another—with greater understanding. Stories have the power to change how we think, and through her dedication to helping others tell theirs, Deb has demonstrated how storytelling can be a catalyst for connection and change—truly embodying the spirit of the Changemaker Award.
THE MAKING OF
THE FLAME:
Established 2009
The Flame began in Deb Williams and Bruce Kennedys’ eastside Vancouver living room in 2009. Together with co-creator Joel Wirkkunen, they invited 20 people to each share a personal true story. In return, the tellers were offered wine, cheese, and a warm place to gather. The storytellers, mostly professional performers, arrived self-conscious with acute stage fright. They told their stories, heard others, and left exhilarated; filled, and wanting more.
The Flame caught fire.
Workshops
Corporate Workshops
All humans are hungry to share and hear personal stories. Good storytelling is not easy, but with commitment, everyone can do it. And with practice, good storytellers become great.
The Flame Workshop is a creative, supportive space. Participants arrive with different skills and levels of understanding.
Weekend Workshops
Novice, intermediate and accomplished storytellers grow and challenge themselves. They begin to see their lives as buckets full of stories. All humans are hungry to share and hear personal stories; live storytelling is a partnership.
Good storytelling is not easy, but with instructions, listening, and repetition, everyone can do it.
The Flame Storytelling Workshops are available for hobby, professional or corporate interests. Workshops range from 2 hours to 2-days to weekend workshops. Weekly classes and 1 on 1 creative coaching are also available, to support your MA, Ph.D., or for secondary school students. Workshops are available In English, Mandarin, Farsi, Portuguese or translated into other languages.
Story Workshops