Sheila Wee - Storytelling

Sheila Wee, has been a professional storyteller since 1999 and has been described as a Godmother of Singapore Storytelling. As well as working extensively in schools and in the wider community in Singapore, Sheila also works internationally, and has been a featured teller at a number of international festivals and conferences.

Sheila loves performing, and her wide repertoire allows her to create storytelling performances for children, teens or adults to fit any occasion.   She is equally enthusiastic about passing on her skills and her highly practical and inspirational workshops have garnered consistently high ratings from participants.

I Believe:

For me stories are at the root of what it is to be human. Our lives are shaped by the stories we hear and tell; in fact life itself is an ever unfolding story.

Science is now telling us that we think in stories; our brain is hardwired that way. This is not surprising, as since the earliest times humanity has educated itself through storytelling. Storytelling has helped us pass on survival skills and values; build strongly bonded families and communities; learn how to live together in peace.

In the rush towards modernity, we have neglected the wisdom of the ages; the power of our stories. I see my mission as one of a restorer; restoring storytelling to its rightful place in the centre of human society. For I believe that if we tell our human stories, eye to eye, mind to mind, and heart to heart we can draw closer to each other and share the collective wisdom that is our heritage.

I have always been a storyteller, though I have not always known that I was. One of the joys of my work is when others realise, that they too, are storytellers, (as is every human being) that they too, can harness the power of story in their lives.

The Berber people of North Africa believe that everyone has a story in their heart and one of their life tasks is discover that story. I know that I have one or two stories which I have discovered, which have taught me much about who I am and what I believe. Sometimes in a workshop, or after a performance, someone will share a story that has touched them in a similar way. That is when I feel truly privileged to do this work. For how often are you given a glimpse of another’s soul?