Youth Affinity Storytelling
As part of Ex Fabulaโs ongoing commitment to a radically inclusive community that honors the dignity of all people, Youth Affinity Storytelling (YAS) aims to uplift the voices of young people. In a society where youth voices are often silenced or overlooked, YAS holds space for them.
YAS also helps participants to develop self-advocacy skills which can be leveraged when applying to post-secondary programs, seeking scholarships, and interviewing for jobs. Self-advocacy skills ย help young people to identify and articulate their strengths, notice moments of personal growth, deepen relationships with other community members, and make healthy choices for themselves and their communities.
Ways that we engage young people
Storytelling Workshops incorporated into the school day
- Interactive sessions led by Ex Fabula artists
- Workshop themes are chosen based on class objectives and academic standards. The curriculum is customized based on the theme and spread over 3+ class periods.
- Modules include: co-creating a Brave Space; parts of a story; story brainstorming; story structure; pair work with structured feedback; and sharing in small groups. Full class sharing may be included as well, depending on the amount of time available.
Story Club or other after-school programming
- Weekly 60-90 minute sessions over summer, semester, or academic year.
- Ex Fabula artists create a relaxed environment that also upholds Ex Fabulaโs Brave Space (no hate speech) guidelines and promotes healing and sharing.
- Activities are customized depending on the group’s interests. For example, we’ve hosted:
- workshops for GSAs with one or more LGBTQ+ storytelling coaches
- workshops for ย young people with disabilities that explored self-advocacy and the importance of speaking up
- workshops for justice-impacted young people that explored their ย identities and strengths
- workshops that explored cultural traditions, environmental justice, mental health and well being, and more.
Culminating StorySlams that foster shared understanding
- An optional public showcase featuring true and personal stories shared without notes and in the allotted time.
- Flexible formats, depending on project goals:
- May be curated or open to anyone who puts their name in the hat.
- May be non-competitive or allow attendees to vote for a favorite.
- Students may be engaged in Slam planning, depending on capacity and interest.
- Example: 2025 Teen StorySlam
Media collaborations that amplify the reach of stories told at events
- Following a storytelling experience, young people may work with Ex Fabula staff to publish audio, video, or written stories – in formats ranging from handmade zines to Real Stories MKE Radio show and podcast.
Thank you to the 2024-25 supporters of Youth Affinity Storytelling!
Your contributions help to equitably pay artists and provide stipends to young people – so that we can greenlight more partnerships and bring programming to organizations that couldn’t otherwise afford it.
Marvin W. Haesle Fund for the Arts at the Greater Milwaukee Foundation
Milwaukee Recreation Partnership for the Arts and Humanities
Dorothy Inbusch Foundation ย ย ย ย ย ย Milwaukee Arts Board ย ย ย ย ย ย Generosity Project โ Milwaukee Giving Circle
Valentine Fund at the Greater Milwaukee Foundation ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Greater Milwaukee Association of Realtors
Ex Fabula members