Actor, producer, director, and lifelong story lover Rachel E. Smith believes that storytelling is one of the most powerful tools we have to connect, heal, and understand one another. In a recent conversation, she shared how stories have shaped her life, from childhood fairy tales to a career centred on helping others find and express their own voices.
Rachel’s passion extends beyond performance. Through her company, Cee-Lee Productions, she teaches acting to children and adults, encouraging creativity, imagination, and confidence. For many of her students, especially newcomers or those nervous about public speaking, storytelling becomes a way to reclaim their voice. “Sharing a personal story can be terrifying,” she says. “My goal is to create a safe space where people can speak from the heart.”
This mission deepened when Rachel collaborated on The Shoe Project and Pathways: Stories of How We Got Here, initiatives supporting newcomer women in sharing their lived experiences. These projects led to her role as a founding board member of the newly launched StoryBridge Network, founded by Patley Creary.
StoryBridge aims to build community through intergenerational and intercultural storytelling programs, from newcomer circles to senior gatherings. Its first major project, the Selkirk Storytelling Café, invites participants to reflect on meaningful turning points in their lives. The organization’s upcoming Winnipeg fundraiser will feature music, narrative performances, and excerpts from a fantasy novel written by Rachel’s husband.
Looking ahead, Rachel envisions StoryBridge expanding into more communities with accessible, meaningful programming. “We don’t want finances to be a barrier,” she emphasizes. “Stories belong to everyone.”
– Yuliia Kovalenko, U Multicultural
