Denise McCormack

Growing a Better World through Storytelling

Welcome

I’m Denise McCormack—storyteller, performer, and passionate believer in the transformative power of story. On this site, you'll find a window into my work: storytelling performances, community-based initiatives, and multimedia projects, all rooted in the belief that stories shape the world.

abracadabra: I create as I speak.

Aramaic, avra kehdabra : I will create as I speak

Hebrew, ebrah k'dabri: I will create as I speak

'Avada Kedavra' is an Aramaic saying: “Let the thing be destroyed”

Through the words we speak, we have the power to shape the world around us.  The phrase abracadabra—from Aramaic, meaning “I will create as I speak”—reminds me of the magic we create with every story told.  

Even Avada Kedavra, an Aramaic saying meaning “Let the thing be destroyed,” speaks to the necessity of destruction as part of the cycle of creation and transformation. It’s a reminder that, sometimes, we must allow the destructive forces—whether they are illness, personal struggle, or harm—to be released, so we can make room for healing, growth, and renewal. In these moments of challenge, destruction is not an end, but a transformative step toward the life and energy that follows. 

As a storyteller, I weave narratives that transcend ordinary tales. I embrace the sacred and the profound, inviting audiences to explore themes that connect us to our higher selves and the mysteries of the world around us. This is not just performance; this is a journey into the heart of spirituality and shared humanity.

In my Guest in the Pulpit offerings, I blend storytelling with spiritual reflection, creating spaces for profound insight, healing, and connection. These engagements invite storytelling into sacred spaces, where words hold the power to transform and uplift.  I work with diverse communities, crafting experiences that promote reflection, inspiration, and a deeper connection to our shared values.

These values guide my work and relationships, deeply rooted in Unitarian Universalist principles:

Through the personal experience of living and embodying each tale, I adapt the stories, integrating my own reflections and understanding, to connect deeply with the characters’ dilemmas. The persona-tellers I adopt aren’t merely narrators; they are emotionally invested in the experiences they share, allowing the audience to feel not just the events, but the very essence of the characters’ struggles and revelations.  I also share personal stories when appropriate and meaningful.

This intuitive and immersive approach extends beyond the stage. 

In all that I do — from research and performance to design and production — I approach storytelling as a fluid, intuitive, and responsive act of creation. With empathy, openness, and heartfelt compassion, I craft narratives that evolve with the communities I serve, offering each one with an unbridled generosity of spirit.

As president of Patchwork: A Storytelling Guild and through my leadership roles in various arts-related and community-based organizations, I am committed to fostering spaces where stories, art, and shared experiences inspire change and illuminate the complexities of existence. These organizations aim to deepen our understanding of the human journey, our relationship to the world around us, and our place in the larger cosmos, encouraging dialogue, empathy, and creative expression toward meaningful change.

Whether through cultural festivals, community events, sacred storytelling engagements, or spiritual reflection, I strive to ensure that each story told carries the potential to inspire, heal, and unite.

In this, we are twice blessed. Storytelling is a blessing for the teller and the listener who listen.

Explore my world of storytelling, where great people, great messages, and great stories converge to ignite imagination and evoke emotion toward change. 


May our stories move us to action and lead to the rights and equal treatment of all people—

and honor the living tapestry of life, spirit, and the creative chaos that binds us together. 

I invite you to explore a variety of storytelling offerings—each designed to engage, inspire, and foster deep connections.   My offerings—from live performances and workshops to coaching and creative media—integrate storytelling with intention, encouraging reflection, growth, and meaningful transformation.

There is a story for every time and purpose under heaven.

Great people.  Great messages.  Great stories.

~ Denise McCormack

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