About Us

Doug Stevenson is the founder and president of Story Theater International, a speaking, training and consulting company, now based in Tucson, Arizona. His company trains thousands of professionals and executives each year, for clients that include Microsoft, Amgen, Bayer, Caterpillar, Oracle, Volkswagen, Hewlett Packard, Maytag, Super 8 Motels and others. His association clients include The National Education Association, The American Medical Association, The National Association of Realtors, The Wisconsin Municipal League, The Cattleman’s Beef Association and others.

Since 1994, he has delivered keynotes and taught storytelling for business success in the US, Canada, Australia, Austria, Costa Rica, Colombia, Denmark, England, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Malaysia, Panama, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland and The Netherlands. Let’s add the name of your country here!

Doug used to believe he was destined to be the next Bob Hope. That was back in the 1960’s when he was a child making up his mind about who he wanted to be. He dedicated 20 years of his life to becoming a successful actor, only to realize that his destiny was much greater and far more meaningful than being a movie star. Life has a way of teaching us who we are, doesn’t it?

Now, having spoken to audiences all over the world, and having coached and trained countless individuals on how to become amazing speakers, trainers and leaders – he’s discovered that he isn’t supposed to act like Bob Hope. His gift is the ability to give people hope.

Doug is the creator of The Story Theater Method for strategic storytelling in business and author of the book by the same name. He is also the creator of The How to Write and Deliver a Dynamite Speech System, and the Next Level Storytelling Video eLearning Series. He not only presents transformational speeches, he follows them by analyzing what he has just done. Not only does he make you laugh and cry, he teaches you how he does it. It’s as if he’s a magician who does a wonderful magic trick, and then takes you behind the curtain and shows you all of his secrets.

What Doug Stevenson does is not magic. You can learn how to be a transformational speaker using his methods and technology. You can learn how to use acting, storytelling and drama techniques to connect with people at a deeper level. His motto? Emotion is the fast lane to the brain. The process? Speak from your head with your heart wide open.

On the practical side, Doug knows marketing, sales and customer service because he has owned a number of businesses including a real estate brokerage. He learned his lessons in leadership while serving on the board of directors and then as the president of a state association. And finally, Doug learned how to embrace diversity by speaking in different countries to people of different cultures.

• 1969 – 1985  Professional actor in Chicago and Hollywood
• 1975 – 1985  Owner of Justgood Carpentry – construction and remodeling
• 1980 – 1985  Mobile disk jockey with Franklin and Friends
• 1985 – 1999  Residential real estate broker/owner of Sherlock’s Homes
• 1996 – present – professional speaker, trainer, consultant and coach

As a speaking and storytelling coach, he has coached over 1000 business professionals from CEOs to entrepreneurs to a member of the House of Lords in London.

Doug’s keynotes and training programs are like watching a business presentation as theatrical experience. He doesn’t just give a speech. He takes you on an intellectually stimulating and emotionally moving journey into your own magnificence. When Doug is done working his magic with you, you know more, understand more and can do more to change the world you live in. In the end, it’s always comes back to the beginning. It’s about hope.

In addition, he has contributed a monthly column entitled Talk Your Walk for the Denver Business Journal and is the author of twelve audio and DVD programs including the Story Theater Audio Six Pack and The How to Write and Deliver a Dynamite Speech System.

Deborah Merriman, my wife, is the heart and soul of Story Theater International.  She is the Vice President of Everything. With backgrounds in accounting, office administration, computer systems, and biology (!), Deborah has the skills to run an office. Her greatest quality, however, is her unqualified commitment to treating each and every client and customer with respect and fairness.

Deborah is a quintessential earth mother. She monitors our carbohydrates, anoints us with essential oils and gets us out of the house to take walks with the dog. She likes to nest. While you may meet her at one of the programs we do around the world, she’d just as soon be home replying to your emails and sending you a contract.

Deborah is a native of Houston, Texas, and is the proud mother of two fine sons. Michael lives in Los Angeles, with his wife Christina, and our two granddaughters, Rebel and Eisley.  Mike is the Founder and President of Parr3LLC, a business management company for music and film artists. Bennett is a pilot, living in Tucson, with his wife, Jessica and our granddaughter, Sage Olivia, and grandson Garrett Parr. I’m the proud stepfather to Michael and Bennett, and the Opa to all of our wonderful grandchildren.

Deborah is ready to take your call or respond to your website inquiry. If you’re looking for a storytelling speaker or trainer, give us a chance to see if we’re a good fit. If we are, lets get the ball rolling.

Tell your story. Make a difference. Change a life.