“THE BEST AUDIENCE IN TOWN”

20 Years of Building Community One Story at a Time

Next Live Storytelling Event

Upcycle

Thursday, Dec. 5 at 7 pm

Venue: The Screening Room
127 E. Congress Street, Tucson

Doors open at 6:30.

Upcycle: “The act of taking something no longer useful to you and giving it a second life and new function so that the finished product becomes more practical, valuable, and beautiful than it was.” 


Like turning wooden pallets into patio furniture, leaving a boring job for a new challenge, or saving your kitchen scraps to make beautiful compost. Have you upcycled a relationship lately? What needs to be upcycled in your life?

Our December Storytellers

  • Carmelene Melanie Siani

    is an 83-year-old freelance writer whose work has appeared in various publications. Her stories are narratives on personal growth, grief, family, and late-in-life love. She aims to help others see how life constantly opens to reveal its lessons. She lives by Muriel Rukeyser’s dictum that “the universe is made of stories, not atoms.”





  • Mohammed Al-Samak

    is a linguist from Baghdad. He came to Tucson for school and fell in love with the desert, so he decided to make this place his American home. Mohammed is an avid learner of people and culture and thinks there's more to unite than divide humans.




  • Lynne Gillette

    has turned scrap metal and trash into art since retiring from renewable energy research management, among other things. She loves making tiny things, being the center of attention, and baking stuff she shouldn’t be eating, and hates that the older she gets, the more she looks like the grumpy old man from “Up.”





  • Jonathan Grinder

    is a long-time Tucson resident who maybe qualifies as a native Arizonan. After stints as a trial lawyer, judge, and business owner, he now coaches the TriCats, the UA’s club triathlon team. He is proudest of his two children, loves to tell stories, and is a fervent believer in the Oxford comma.





  • Harrison Orr

    Harrison Orr is an artist, educator, and non-profit professional. He paints square paintings, lives in a square house (flanked by flamingos), and works in a square office, but Harrison’s humorous stories, told in his iconic voice, usually come full circle.


Join Our Upcoming Storytelling Events

“These events are so fun! And you will be inspired.”

- Susan W.S.

“Last night, storytelling opened something inside of me … I was moved enough by others bravely sharing to tell my family’s fully charged immigration story publicly, as well.”

-Cecilia A.

“Odyssey Storytelling was a great experience for me … the laughter. The shared community building, and an overall great monthly experience.”

-Barbara E.

“Real people, with a little coaching, make their real stories sparkle and shine.”

-Linda R.

Our Themes for 2025

  • January

    Safe Space

  • February

    Queens

  • March

    Tell Me a Story

  • April

    Losing My Religion

  • May

    Adventure

  • June

    Spicy!

  • July

    Grudges

  • August

    ¡Manifestación!

    Action for justice

    Nonprofit spotlight/collaboration TBD


  • September

    Dog Days

  • October

    Dark Side

  • November

    Tick Tock

  • December

    Wait, What?

Listen to the Odyssey Storytelling Podcast

Pitch a Story

Do you have a story for one of our upcoming themes? The themes are meant to be interpreted from a broad range of perspectives so your story might just be the one we are looking for.

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

HAUNTED HANDS

The Magic of Storytelling & Community Building

Celebrating The Richness of The Human Experience

Odyssey Storytelling builds community through the art of storytelling. Our monthly event holds space for Tucson community members to take the stage and share a personal story.

The magic of this simple act of sharing their truth in front of a live audience suddenly builds bridges across the human landscape. People of diverse backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives join our stage and our audience.

The outcome is a celebration of the richness of the human experience and the fostering of empathy, understanding, and solidarity. 

Founded in 2004 by Penelope Starr

Odyssey has helped storytellers of all levels (experienced, or first time) find their voice and share their truth. “Along the way, I learned that profound changes occur when we tell and listen to each other’s stories, how a simple act can build community, dispel prejudices, foster creativity, and help heal.” 

Join Us in Creating 20 More Years of Unforgettable Storytelling!

VOLUNTEER

Do You Love Odyssey? Want to help us keep stories alive in Tucson? Join our fun, talented and dedicated team by offering your expertise. Email and let us know how you would like to help.

Patreon Support

Patreon Support

Join our Patreon community and play a crucial role in keeping Tucson’s storytelling tradition alive and vibrant. Your monthly support helps sustain our events and foster a dynamic cultural scene. Become a patron today and ensure the continuation of unique, community-driven stories.