Toolkit
The Cassandra Toolkit is a practical guide for anyone interested in developing and delivering socially engaged storytelling projects. Drawing on the experiences, methods, and lessons learned through the Cassandra Project, it brings together artistic practice, community engagement, and international collaboration.
Structured around ten interconnected modules, the toolkit follows the journey of a storytelling project: from early planning and recruitment, through training, research, and mentoring, to performance, festivals, and promotion. Each module offers concrete guidance, reflections, and examples to support storytellers, trainers, cultural practitioners, and organisations in creating meaningful storytelling work that connects personal narratives with wider social themes.
Use the icons on the map below to explore the modules and follow the Cassandra approach step by step.
Cassandra Toolkit
Click on the icons on the map to navigate through the toolkit.
Module 2 - Project Planning
An introduction to planning a socially engaged storytelling project, from defining aims and formats to working locally or internationally.
Module 1 - Welcome
A practical guide to creating an artist development program for socially engaged storytellers, inspired by the Cassandra project model.
Module 3 - Recruitment
Guidance on finding and selecting participants, mentors, and trainers through clear call-outs, criteria, and timelines.
Module 4 - Storytelling Skills & Workshops
Practical advice on designing immersive training laboratories that build skills, community, and a strong foundation for performance.
Module 5 - Social Engagement & Values
An exploration of how to engage ethically with communities, build trust, and turn research into meaningful storytelling.
Module 6 - Individual Story Development & Mentoring
Support for developing individual artistic voices through mentoring, while working responsibly with real-world stories and themes.
Module 7 - Oral Storytelling & Intangible Heritage
A look at how traditional oral storytelling practices inform socially engaged storytelling and its role in community and social change.
Module 8 - Festival Involvement
Insights into working with storytelling festivals as spaces for audience development, dialogue, and socially engaged performance.
Module 9 - Promotion of Young Storytellers
Practical guidance on promoting yourself as a storyteller, from artist bios and performance blurbs to visuals and social media.
Module 10 - Project Promotion
An overview of how to build a strong project identity and communication strategy to reach audiences and share your message effectively.