Performances
Laura combines ancient myth and symbolic story with personal narrative.
She creates an uncanny depth of engagement, bringing the ecomythic world into our everyday lives. Her voice, characterizations, presence and relationship to audiences of all ages are legendary. Her work is dedicated to excellence and compassion in the world.
These performances restore our joy and reconnect us with each other, and the world of spirit and nature. She offers full stage concerts, tailor made events, and performs for adult, as well as family and child audiences.
Storytelling in the World
Laura collaborates worldwide on projects that focus on storytelling as compassionate action, social justice, personal and community healing, gender equality, nonviolence, mindfulness, and ecological awareness. She has worked with a wide diversity of organizations including International Medical Corps, Mercy Corps, Norwegian People’s Aid, The Healng Story Alliance and The Constellation.
“Laura’s global influence in the practice of oral storytelling for peaceful means , healing, and community building is transcendent.”
~ Elinor Benjamin, President of Canadian Storytellers
“Laura Simms is a force for good in the world.”
~ Lance Brunner, director Contemplative Practices , UK
“I was in pain all the time, except when I was writing or dancing.”
- Sabrina D., displaced camp in Haiti
The Art of the Storyteller
Laura brings decades of experience to her teaching. Her courses and workshops are a revelation into the unique qualities of storytelling today. Her process provides a rare opportunity to understand how stories function as a bridge to a timeless sense of presence. Each course, whether an individual coaching session, extended mentorship or workshop are life changing, and practical.
Through our storytelling, we address the dilemmas of our times with profound humor and compassion.
Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned storyteller, a speaker, leader, writer, or actor, Laura will take you into the art of genuine oral storytelling.
“Irresistible… Laura Simms is a major force in the renaissance of storytelling in America.”
“Laura Simms is a great medicine woman. The stories she tells penetrate our hearts.”
“… Laura performs the essence and heart of storytelling.”
“One of the great storytellers of our time and an extraordinary teacher.”
Upcoming Events
for full schedule go schedule page
I am commissioned to write HOW TO TELL A STORY (that needs to be heard) published by Allegra Huston’s small press TWICE 5 MILES. The Story of Wild Rose; Summoning the Restoration is completed and I am seeking a new publisher. I am completing EMBERS - Telling Stories to My Brother While he was Dying. ; and several small books on single stories and about storytelling
To participate in the completion of these works, please read about my new Patreon Page (below).
April is turning out to be a month of social action, on the street, and as part of SOAR A youth Resilience project in Cambodia - training young people to gather stories from indigenous elders about the Mekong River - and I am joyfully returning to teach two masterclasses in storytelling at Sarah Lawrence College.
The end of the month I have a wonderful weekend visit with MIlbre Burch.
A Fundraiser for Compassion for Ukraine
is ongoing
Please consider donating.
I told a wonderful story from the
Ukraine accompanied by violinist Shem Guibbory
(Met Opera and Kumara)
https://vimeo.com/1068840043?share=copy
please consider making a one-time or recurring donation to the Krakow Shambhala Center via PayPal using this link .
Sudden Turning
with Laura Simms and Regina Ress
Sunday, April 27. 3 pm EST.
storytelling for these times
as we have learned from the world’s profound stories,
something can change, even in the most troubling times.
The power of imagination unleashes great
compassion. Traditional stories and
miraculous events in NYC
Provincetown Playhouse in Manhattan,
133 MacDougal Street -4th street, nyc
sponsored by New York University.
This is an in-person event. Free
Please join us. There is no registration.
SUDDEN STORY: Inextinguishable
Thursday, 15 May, 7 pm EST
Features four storytellers exploring what is inextinguishable and can not be destroyed. There will be four stories followed by participatory, investigative, rich conversation.
NANCY WANG, LAURA SIMMS, MILBRE BURCH and TBA
The Holy Grail of Braiding Stories Part II
Saturday, May 3, 8:30 am EST
I have been interweaving personal story into traditional fairytale and myth for over 4 decades. We will listen to a story and explore, through a contemplative writing practice, how our lives are reflected and touched by a story or image in a story.
Each participant will create their own braided story.
The course is free with suggested donation.
For the Zoom Link to access this workshop, email info@storytellinginstitute.org.
To hear Part I, which took place during the Intl Chennai Storytelling Festival, write to storymentor2010@gmail.com.
Power of Storytelling:
Engaging Audiences Beyond the Fourth Wall
An interview with Laura Simms by Daniel Monaghan
Watch on NTD.com
The Heart of Storytelling Episode #43
I hope you will listen to this podcast. It is an interview with Australian storyteller Alyssa Curtayne on the unique
aspects of engaged storytelling in these times.
Listen to The Heart of Storytelling on Spreaker.com; I am in episode 43 (March 6 2025, titled Laura Simms and storytelling magic).
a new Great Story Immersion:
A collaborative exploration of a single fairytale from The Grimm’s Stories.. It is for the earth, for honoring the knowledge of the Great Mother and rebalancing the role of masculine and feminine with us and the world.
~ The Old Woman in the Wood ~
A collaborative storytelling course
five Sundays. 11 am - 1 pm EST
May 4 - June 1 , 2025
The Old Woman in the Wood is a mysterious story, like a waking dream, like a process of restoration of our intrinsic relationship to the natural world. The images are potent. We are going to investigate how the story functions for listeners as a process of restoration of heart, union of masculine-feminine, and an antidote to the terrible consequences of class and rejection of wisdom. If you have never attended an Immersion, this is a perfect story to begin with; short, and very potent. We step by step uncover the inner workings of a story applicable to most stories, as we simoultaneously discover important personal tales and braid within the fairy tale.
To register, fill out this form and send it to Laura Simms at
storymentor2010@gmail.com
We are half full and this is a small gathering to enjoy full participation
Ongoing: Every Tuesday - 5-7pm EST
STORY ALONE TOGETHER
On Zoom This has been a tremendous cource of inspiration for all involved. In these times, coming together is unequalled in benefit. It is an act of resistance. Story Alone Together is a dedicated time for pursuing creative and administrative work and tasks with support. Story Alone has proved to be a dynamic and enriching space to work and share and receive feedback and friendship with your peers.
$250 for year/$70 for 10 Tuesdays
For registration and information, contact storymentor2010@gmail.com
Stories of Peace in Times of War
Available Sale Download
"There is a big peace and a little peace.
There is no little war,
even a matchstick can burn down a village."
-Amadou Hampate Ba (UNESCO, 1948)
Tales from the Middle East, Russia, and Ukraine.
Play & Download at BetterListen!
I AM COMMITTING MYSELF TO FINISHING BOOKS AND RECORDINGS, AND CONTINUEING TO WORK WITH SPECIAL PROJECTS WORLDWIDE. I AM INVITING FRIENDS, DONORS, LOVERS OF AWAKENED ACTION IN OUR WORLD to join me in this endeavor. With the help of Laura Packer and Simon Brooks, I have created a Patreon Page so I can continue to write, research, create projects, recordings and performances for our times. One can join for free and recieve monthly news or for a small or larger amount receive special coachings, gatherings, and important stories. I wholeheartedly invite you to join me as we traverse and transmit storytelling as a sacred event.
