There is a story for every time and purpose under heaven.
and loving it!
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 reminds us that sometimes we must allow destructive forces—whether illness, personal struggle, or harm—to be released, so that we can make room for healing, growth, and renewal. Sometimes we must let go, burn down, or unmake what no longer serves us—so that something new, whole, and truer can take shape.
There are times when we must name the thing that wounds us. Sometimes, it must be pulled from the body like a thorn—or seared away like a sickness in the bone. This is not cruelty, but care. Not an ending, but a fierce kind of beginning.
In these moments of challenge, destruction is not final; it is a transformative step toward the life and energy that follows.
Storytelling is sacred work.
It opens portals to wonder, memory, and truth—often truths that can’t be spoken plainly. Through story, we find the courage to face complexity, the grace to hold contradiction, and the wisdom to begin again.
My work draws from the intuitive and the immersive. I don’t simply tell stories—I enter them, embodying the questions and emotions of the characters I bring to life. These persona-tellers speak not only from the page, but from the heart, offering the audience an experience that is felt as much as heard.
I also share personal stories when the moment calls, honoring the everyday as its own kind of myth.
With empathy and creative intent, I approach storytelling as a responsive act of connection—an offering of spirit to spirit.
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:
Respect for the inherent worth and dignity of every person
Justice, equity, and compassion in human relations
Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth
A free and responsible search for truth and meaning
The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process
The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all
Respect for the interdependent web of all existence
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.
The three flames represent the transformative power of storytelling. Like the flow of a river, they cut a path toward new horizons, each flame symbolizing the spark of life that ignites change and illuminates truth. The zig-zag arrangement mirrors the river's winding course, guiding storytellers and listeners alike through a shared journey of discovery, growth, and understanding. Together, flame and water offer a balance—fire’s energy and water’s flow—mirroring how storytelling both ignites and nurtures, creating space for deliberate, truthful living and growth.