ODYSSEY STORYTELLING
Southern Arizona’s longest-running live storytelling event
“THE BEST AUDIENCE IN TOWN”
21 years of building community one story at a time
Cake, March 5, 2026
Cake is a celebration! We invite you to partake as we mark 22 years of building community through story at Odyssey Storytelling. You’ll hear stories of cakes, baking, buying, and tasting them. You will also hear about things that take the cake things that were a piece of cake (or weren’t) and maybe a little something about wanting to have it and eat it too!!
Curators: Ana Montañez and Anna Marie Trester
TIME: DOORS AT 6:30, SHOW AT 7
WHERE: GALLAGHER THEATER, UA STUDENT UNION (GROUND FLOOR)
COST: $6 SCHOOL OR MILITARY AFFILIATION; $10 GENERAL
Our March 2026 Storytellers
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Rose Trevizo
is the head pastry chef and one of the owners of 1989 Bakehouse, where her love for thoughtful baking meets community connection. Inspired by craftsmanship and creativity, she builds spaces that bring people together over handcrafted pastries, specialty drinks, and warm conversation, turning everyday moments meaningful through food, design, and shared experience.
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Kevin B. Pratt
Raised Texan. Author, artist, spy. Walks mountains at dawn and Paris at night. Specialist in Artificial Intelligence. Supreme Court lawyer. Mentor to small businesses. Skeptic. Still clumsy. Allergic to everything growing yellow.
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Elena Acoba
has surrounded herself with stories. Retired from writing them as a journalist and marketing professional, she now tells them on stage, listens to them as a leader for NAMI support groups and watches them as an Arizona Theatre Company usher. This is her fourth appearance with Odyssey Storytelling.
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Jeffrey Clashman
After retiring from 30 years of teaching Latin and a little bit of a lot of things, Jeff happily spends everyday gardening a bit, painting a bit, reading a bit, thinking a bit, cooking a bit, and having lunch with a friend.
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Lisa Stafford
For over 30 years, Lisa made a career of teaching through storytelling. After retiring in 2022, she and her husband Dean moved to southern Tucson where they hike mountains and drink coffee.
Join Our Upcoming Storytelling Events
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Whoopsies
Feb. 5, 2026 7-9 p.m.
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Save Our Saguaros
Feb. 15, 2 pm, the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
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Cake
March 5, 2026 7-9 p.m.
“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 2026 Themes
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January
Rebound
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February
Whoopsies
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March
Cake
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April
Ouch!
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May
Penalty Box
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June
Manipulation
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July
Trans -
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August
Special Event (TBA)
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September
Dancing with Demons
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October
Processsion
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November
Adulting
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December
Mystery
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
Alma Montañez
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.