Two writers and storytellers from 91原创 are the driving force behind the upcoming Vancouver Story Slam championships on Dec. 11 in Vancouver.

Susan Cormier is the show producer and her partner Bryant Ross is the host.

鈥淚t鈥檚 very close to my heart,鈥� said Cormier, who has produced the show for four years and has been a storyteller since her teens.

The championship competition showcases a collection of the best storytellers who performed throughout the year at monthly Vancouver Story Slam events.

The stories shared on stage are a range original works from tragedies, comedies, true stories, science fiction and more.

Anyone is allowed to enter their story in the monthly competition, and spots are distributed on a randomized basis.

Cormier said the story slam is a form of 鈥渃ommunity connection,鈥� and allows the audience to relate to different taboos.

鈥淥ften people on stage end up expressing things that other people are thinking but don鈥檛 know how to express. There鈥檚 a lot of people that walk around feeling icky, or dirty, or alone because they have a secret or an idea in their head about something in their life where they feel alone because it鈥檚 taboo.鈥�

Vancouver Story Slam has been running for 14 years and is Canada鈥檚 longest-running live storytelling event of its kind in Canada.

The annual storytelling championship finals is on Dec. 11 at 8 p.m. at the Rio Theatre located in Vancouver at 1660 East Broadway.

Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door and can be purchased online: