TESTIMONIALS

Michael Shamata - Artistic Director Belfry Theatre

"Deborah is a natural-born leader. I have witnessed her in action as a teacher, and have seen her nurture and encourage her storytelling students to write and speak with truth and honesty.  Teaching is one of the cornerstones of the directing profession, and Deborah knows how to get the best out of a group of vastly different people.  Of course, they all fall in love with her at the same time."

Marylee Stephenson - M. A., Ph.D. Author

"Having participated Deb Williams’ story workshops in various formats over the last years, I can confidently say that she brings together these key elements to her story-telling workshops:  1) in-depth knowledge of the story-telling form; 2) demonstrated skill and experience as a performer – actress, story-teller, dramaturge, director; 3) excellent organizational skills for promoting her “product” and thus ensuring financial success and greater awareness of the value of story-telling; 4) rigorous yet flexible workshop content and formatting; and above all  5) the ability to guide participants in finding the true purpose of their story and how best to present it, no matter how in-experienced, confident, or terrified they may be.  She also is fun, warm, witty, and deeply empathetic with the participants, without slipping into a love-fest or therapeutic exercise."

Noreen Murphy, ED - Calgary Regional Association for Quality Child Care

"Storytelling is about connection and connection happens when we are able to be vulnerable.Deb takes her students on a journey of digging into the 'messy' of their lives by sharing her 'messy' and by being vulnerable. She uses empathy and compassion to show her students that the very thing they are trying to hide, and still tell their story, is the very thing that will make it a great story. I believe that is the magic of Deb's program.  She then gives her students the tools to frame that experience into a story worth listening to. Deb has had many successes in her life - her storytelling program is clearly one of them."

Yorlene Bernido

"Thank you for organizing the absolutely beautiful family day event! I am still floating with love from the kids and parents who came up to me after the stories. I feel so blessed to be able to share a bit about my culture and speak my dialect. I didn't think so many others could relate to me! Hearing the beautiful stories, seeing the children's curious faces, and the parent's inner child ignite has touched my heart and reminded me how wonderful and noble it is to be a storyteller. "

Scott C. Jones - TV Personality

"Like all or most Canadians, she’s so damn nice. Yet the longer I know her—and I will most definitely take her workshops and classes again in the future—the more I realize Deb’s true power.  She’s a natural actor. She’s one hell of a performer, editor, writer, improviser, and storyteller. And she’s a terrific teacher.
Deb tangibly makes all of the Vancouver arts community exponentially better. If you have further questions about her or her classes, don’t hesitate to contact me. In short: Don’t underestimate Deb Williams."

Sarah Louise Turner 

"What an incredible to meet all of you amazing humans. Thank you for your generosity and warmth from the moment of first meeting.  I was so warmed and inspired by all of your stories.  Deb, you continue to be my hero!  You so eloquently articulated the important value of yesterday's event."

Kathleen Oliver  - English Department Head 
Langara College 

"Thank you for that LIFE-CHANGING experience this weekend! It really was exactly what I needed, and I feel so charged!  I’d love to do it again in the future. I’d also like to recommend it to June, and to friends, and to some of my former students. If there’s space in the workshop this weekend, let me know and I can plug it to some people. I will be effusing about it for a long time either way!"

Howard Dai  - SFU Theatre Student

"The most rewarding and powerful part of the Flame storytelling workshop was its ability to connect us all together through the generosity of sharing stories. Deb is a wonderful facilitator who filled the room with so much trust, love, kindness, courage, and pure humanity."