Find out what it takes to be a pro storyteller

One of the features of the free weekly Tuesdays at the Tea Lounge series is always the I Like You, Maude story slam, featuring five-minute tales from anyone willing to throw their name into a hat. But how do you get to the point where you can actually tell a good story in public without sending your crowd into a bored Words With Friends diversion? Try another one of the free events: the Tea Lounge and Brooklyn Skillshare will host a workshop on “How to Be a Great Storyteller and Other Useful and Humorous Public Speaking Techniques” next week. Then come back later in the month to try your storytelling chops. See the full schedule below. 

Jan. 10: Brooklyn Skillshare Presents: “How to Be a Great Storyteller and Other Useful and Humorous Public Speaking Techniques!” 7:30pm
Join local storytellers Kerri Doherty (I Like You, Maude) and Andy Ross (Real Characters) for a one-hour class on the art of storytelling. They’ll teach you how to hook an audience with the first sentence, how to construct a beginning, middle and end and how to prepare for telling your story onstage in front of an audience. You’ll also walk away with a list of great open mics and storytelling shows in New York City.

Jan. 17:  I Like You, Maude: StorySLAM with Featured Guest Storyteller Lisa Lewis, 7:30pm
I Like You, Maude is akin to other storySLAMS in NYC. Anyone can tell a story on any topic. Just show up, put your name in the hat, and if picked you have five minutes to regale the audience with your tale. The stories must be true and told without notes or paper. For having the plums to bare your soul to an audience, every storyteller wins a prize! This month’s guest storyteller is Lisa Lewis (playwright, storyteller, essayist). Hosted by Kerri Doherty (F’d in Park Slope).

Jan. 24: Fresh Start Comedy, 9pm
Featuring the stand-ups from Park Slope, New York City and around the country.  Hosts Mike Pomranz (blogger, Tosh.0) and Joe Zimmerman (The Beards of Comedy Tour) promise things will be better than before. Remember, this is the first show of the rest of your life. Fresh Start comedy has featured comics from Dave Letterman, Comedy Central and VH1.