Wageningen Storytelling Nights

In September 2017, Emma Holmes was a 25 year old comedian searching for something more meaningful to dedicate herself to. Whilst attending her first ever storytelling night at Mezrab — Amsterdam’s renowned “house of stories” — she laughed and cried through an incredibly moving tale of a young man grieving the loss of his brother. As she sat there, squashed on a bench with too many other people, she understood for the first time ever the power of a true story. Watching someone tell a story, from beginning to end, uninterrupted, was transformative.

Emma had always believed that ordinary people are more interesting, funny, and complicated than they think they are. That night made her understand something bigger. Given the right space, structure, and encouragement, sharing stories could be a powerful tool for connection and empathy. True storytelling allows people to connect with one another, human to human, creating compassion, understanding, and recognition. For every story consumed, each audience member takes away the bit that they need the most.

Inspired by that experience, Emma launched her own storytelling night in Wageningen, Wageningen Storytelling Nights. Over the next five years, she helped and encouraged hundreds of first time storytellers to take to the stage. Hosted twice a month at Thuis, Wageningen’s own living room, each edition explored a different theme. 

The shows were more popular and empowering than she could ever have dreamed of. Five years, five seasons, 20 shows a season, and all of them sold-out. 

They came to a close, as many theatre productions did, during the Covid-19 lockdown. The Wageningen Storytelling Nights live on through Emma and through the A Mile In My Shoes project: Free storytelling nights now with a stronger education framework to help storytellers feel supported, audiences to feel safe, and for the stories to live up to their true potential.