Advanced Performance (Storytelling)

Taught by Santa True (Robert Seutter)

February 28th and March 1st, 2026 (9:00 am – 5:00 pm)

Location: American Legion Post 102, 20 American Legion Dr, Manchester, CT 06040

Limited Enrollment – Registration Deadline February 25th

New England Santa Society is proud to host a two-day workshop with Santa True for the CPW Advance Performance (Storytelling). This is CPW’s Second course. If you’ve never had any focused training on storytelling this is THE course to attend. The Advanced Performing workshop builds further on storytelling skills and gives you a deeper chance to grow as a performer and storyteller. Even the most experienced Christmas performers will leave with a wealth of ideas, techniques, and practical tools to use. This is a participatory and interactive session: you don’t just listen, you learn by doing.

(2) CPW Advanced Performance (Storytelling)

Here are the featured topics to be covered in class:

• A quick review of the Fundamentals Performing Techniques (Improv, Mime, Character Work, Vocals)
• All about Storytelling and Coaching, Types of Storytelling, Understanding Story
• Storytelling Exercises / Using our Performing Skills
• Creating our own Christmas Stories
• Homework (really!)
• Sharing our Created Stories
• Building Back Stories and Creating Content/Using our Back stories
• Working in Tandem and Teams
• Storytelling and Improv
• Developing Character Patter
• Public Speaking Exercises
• Scattered Throughout: Fun Schtick (Call and Response and Character Exercises)

Santa True (Robert Seutter) has more than 25 years of professional storytelling experience. And he loves making folks smile with his singing, storytelling, and truly interactive style.

Santa True is a real-bearded professional Santa with a background check and insurance. He is also a member of several prestigious Santa organizations such as FORBS, IBRBS, and others.

As an instructor, Robert Seutter has been coaching performers throughout the Southern California area for more than 20 years.

He brings a wealth of skills and experience to his classes and workshops in an engaging and fun experience for all participants.

In 2024, Santa True was inducted into the International Santa Claus Hall of Fame.

Special $30 discounted tickets are available for NESS members.

The registration fee of $245 for NESS members includes attendance both days, training materials, workshop certificate, refreshments, and lunch both days.

The registration fee for non-members is $275

For those arriving early, a bonus session will be offered Friday night at no additional cost.

Hotel Information

Hampton Inn & Suites Hartford Manchester

1432 Pleasant Valley Road,

Manchester, CT 06042, US

Contact number: 860-644-1732

• Group Name: New England Santa Society

• Check In Time: 3pm

• Check Out Time: 12pm

• Rates are:

  Standard King $129 plus 15% Tax Total $148.35

  Standard Queen $129 plus 15% Tax Total $148.35

• Booking Link: https://www.hilton.com/en/book/reservation/deeplink/?ctyhocn=HFDMCHX&groupCode=CHHNES&arrivaldate=2026-02-27&departuredate=2026-03-01&cid=OM,WW,HILTONLINK,EN,DirectLink&fromId=HILTONLINKDIRECT