The Storytellers' Circle (STC) became a Special Interest Group of The Society for Reading and Literacy (SRL) towards the end of 1999. The group was founded by two SRL members, Kiran Shah and Sheila Wee, as a way of continuing the learning process that had begun in a basic storytelling course conducted by the American storyteller and author, Cathy Spagnoli. Their idea was that group members would meet monthly to share stories and resources, with the aim of improving their storytelling skills and of reviving the art of storytelling in Singapore. Under the umbrella of the Society for Reading and Literacy, the group has been able to reach out to many people in all walks of life.

Currently led by Rosemarie Somaiah, The Storytellers’ Circle meets in the evenings on the last Friday of every month. All SRL members can attend this SIG for free. Non-members are welcome as guests (free of charge) for their first meeting but must join as SRL members in order to attend the group meetings on a regular basis.
Members of the Storytellers Circle include teachers, school principals, librarians, drama specialists, actors, writers, community workers and parents. Virtually none had any storytelling experience before they joined the Circle, but many have gone on to become accomplished storytellers. Members are using the skills they have gained to tell stories in schools, libraries and community organisations, as well as to their own children at home.

What is interesting is that The Storytellers’ Circle has been the nurturing ground for most of the professional storytellers working in Singapore today. Though the professional storytellers now have, in addition, another association – not linked to the SRL, called ‘The Storytelling Association (Singapore), their commitment to the STC is as strong as ever. The professional storytellers continue to attend the meetings of the Storytellers Circle regularly, and SRL members who turn up get an insider view of works-in-progress and free performances at these meetings!

The SRL Storytellers' Circle has helped to provide storytellers and storytelling related services to a variety of organisations. These include the National Library Board, the National Book Development Council of Singapore, the National Arts Council, the Ministry of Community Development and Sports, the Ministry of Education, and many grassroots organisations. It has been involved in such events as the Asian Children's Festival's Storytelling Carnival and Asian Congress of Storytellers, MRT Read-and-Ride, the Arts Festival's Kidsfest, WOMAD, the Speak Good English Campaign and the Singapore International Storytelling Festival.