A warm, dimly lit theatre interior with deep amber and burgundy tones, a single microphone on a bare stage, and rows of empty red seats fading into shadow.

Story Archive & Past Themes

Revisit memorable nights of true tales from Montreal's storytelling showcase.

Since its earliest days, Confabulation has brought together an eclectic mix of voices — doctors, boxers, students, grandmas, and everyone in between — to share honest, unscripted stories. Below is a selection of past show themes and featured evenings that have shaped our community.

Confabulation has long been a gathering place for those who believe in the power of true stories told live. The Story Archive preserves the energy of those evenings, capturing moments when someone stepped up to a microphone and shared something real. Each recorded piece carries the laughter, the pauses, the unexpected turns that only happen when a person speaks from memory in front of a room full of strangers. These are not polished performances but honest accounts of life as it is lived. The archive serves as a reminder that everyone has a story worth telling, and that the best ones often come from the most ordinary experiences.

The annual Nuit Blanche tradition mentioned in the archive represents everything Confabulation values: spontaneity, courage, and community. Two theatres, two hosts, and thirty-two storytellers in a single night creates an electric atmosphere where the audience never knows what will come next. These rapid-fire evenings strip away any hesitation and get straight to the heart of storytelling. The format pushes participants to find the core of their narrative quickly, resulting in some of the most memorable and impactful tales the organization has ever produced. It is storytelling at its most raw and immediate.

Behind every story in the archive is a storyteller who chose to be vulnerable in front of others. Confabulation has always welcomed people from all walks of life, from seasoned improvisers and comedians to first-time tellers with something burning to share. The themes that emerge across these recordings are universal: love and loss, change and transformation, family and home, the strange moments that reshape how we see the world. What makes each story unique is the personal perspective the teller brings, turning a shared human experience into something that belongs only to them.

The archive is more than a collection of recordings; it is a living document of a community that values honest connection. As new stories are added and old ones revisited, the website continues to grow as a resource for anyone interested in the craft of personal narrative. The clean, minimal design of the site reflects the philosophy behind the stories themselves: no unnecessary decoration, just substance and clarity. Whether you are a longtime follower or discovering Confabulation for the first time, the archive invites you to listen, to relate, and perhaps to find the courage to share your own story someday.

  1. February 19, 2015

    The Shortest Story V – Nuit Blanche

    2 theatres, 2 hosts, 32 stories — Confabulation's annual Nuit Blanche tradition packed an entire evening of rapid-fire true tales into one unforgettable night.

  2. February 7, 2015

    Good Date, Bad Date

    An evening of stories about remarkable first impressions and surprising results, held at MainLine Theatre.

  3. January 10, 2015

    All in the Timing

    Stories on and off cue, key, and beat, presented in association with the Bouge D'Ici Dance Festival.

  4. December 5, 2015

    Family

    The yearly Confabulation fam jam — a warm, celebratory gathering of stories about kinship, chosen and otherwise.

  5. November 1, 2014

    Truth or Dare

    As the leaves changed and the landlord played with the heat, storytellers took the stage with tales that blurred the line between confession and challenge.

  6. September 25, 2014

    Bad Medicine

    Stories of cures, curses, and confusing the two — an evening exploring the murky territory between healing and harm.

  7. September 6, 2014

    On the Road

    Tales from the highway, the open trail, and everywhere the journey itself became the story.

  8. August 26, 2014

    Down to the Wire

    Stories of split-second decisions — the moments when everything hung in the balance.

  9. May 4, 2013

    Trilogies

    Celebrating Confabulation's three-year anniversary with stories that came in threes.

  10. April 6, 2013

    Trapped

    Tales of lock-ins, break-outs, and the places that stick.

  11. March 2, 2013

    The Shortest Story

    As many two-minute stories as could be fit into one evening — a breathless celebration of brevity.

  12. February 2, 2013

    For Science!

    Stories of discovery and genius, where curiosity led the way.

  13. January 2014

    Broken Telephone

    Tales of miscommunication, misunderstanding, and mistaken identity, presented as part of the Bouge d'ici dance festival.

  14. November 18, 2011

    Turning Point

    Stories of change, transformation, and rebirth, featuring Joe Conto.

Featured Storytellers

Over the years, Confabulation has welcomed a wide range of voices. A few storytellers whose tales have resonated with audiences include Joe Conto, Zoe Daniels, Joel Fishbane, Sage Tyrtle, and Colin Munch.

Listen to the Podcast

Selected stories are available as podcast episodes via No More Radio. Catch past recordings and subscribe to hear more true tales from the Confabulation stage.