Skip to main content Skip to secondary navigation

StoryLab

Main content start

StoryLab’s mission is to help Stanford students, faculty and staff learn the craft of storytelling. Let us help you build vivid, compelling stories out of your research, personal experiences, imagination, and insights.

StoryLab is open to all students from all majors and levels of experience, as well as staff and faculty. If you are a DCI Fellow, please make appointments only with Melissa Dyrdahl. We regret we cannot serve non-matriculating students at Stanford. StoryLab appointments are restricted to coach story craft and process for Stanford classes and research. 

You can make an appointment by signing up in the form at the bottom of this page. Appointments are 45 minutes long. Check availability below by clicking on each individual tutor's calendar.

If no appointments are available at convenient times, we recommend see the following Lecturers at the Hume Center.  Make an appointment with either of them through the “See a Tutor” page.  

  • John Peterson—can help especially with turning your research into a great story.
  • Angela Becerra Vidergrar—can help especially with audio stories and production.

Please note: Please indicate on the StoryLab sign-up form whether you would prefer to meet on Zoom or in person. In person meetings will take place on the 3rd floor of Sweet Hall.

Director of the Stanford Storytelling Project
Jonah Willihnganz

Favorite Topics:

  • Fiction
  • Creative Nonfiction
  • Counterstory
  • Narrative Psychology
  • Narrative Practices for Growth, Community 
Senior Producer
Dawn J. Fraser

Favorite Topics:

  • Live Storytelling
  • Public Narrative
  • Speech development
  • TEDx Coaching
Senior Producer
Melissa Dyrdahl

Favorite Topics:

  • Narrative Nonfiction
  • Memoir
  • Poetry
  • Family Histories

To make an appointment with Melissa, contact her directly at dyrdahl@stanford.edu

Managing Editor, SSP Lecturer
Laura Joyce Davis

Favorite Topics:

  • Fiction
  • Memoir
  • Narrative Nonfiction
  • Story Structure
  • Sound Design
Program Coordinator, Senior Producer
Megan Calfas

Favorite Topics:

  • Personal storytelling
  • Creative nonfiction
  • Theater and performance
  • Story mining
Program Coordinator of the Medicine and the Muse
Christy Hartman

Favorite Topics:

  • Intimate journalism
  • Personal essay
  • Personal statements
  • Ecopsychology