Hosted by Christmas with The Coleys
CPW#2: Advanced Storytelling and Character Work in Jacksonville, FL
April 16-19, 2026
Let’s make some Marketing Magic! Join us at Jolly and learn to master the essentials of self-promotion and branding to effectively market your Christmas persona and expand your reach. This workshop is the perfect blend of fun and professionalism, aimed at equipping you with the tools and knowledge to become a standout holiday performer. Join us for an unforgettable experience filled with festive spirit, expert instruction, and the joy of bringing Christmas magic to life!
Christmas with the Coleys has partnered with Christmas Performers Workshops to bring you Jolly in Jacksonville, an immersive training experience designed for aspiring and seasoned Christmas performers. This workshop blends professional expertise with festive cheer, ensuring participants leave with the skills and confidence to shine during the holiday season.
In the first course, the Performing Fundamentals, you were presented with a buffet: with a little of everything, all designed to inspire. Now in the Advanced Performance Workshop, you’ll be immersed in more intensive hands-on and activity-based materials, where participants will create and do.
- CPW Day One, Storytelling, is spent working on understanding, creating, and telling stories. We also examine key techniques in receiving and giving feedback plus coaching.
- CPW Day Two, Character Work, takes story knowledge and Christmas lore to create unique character back stories and deepen your character work.
Along the way, we focus on what makes each of your individual characters unique, how to build buy-in from audiences, create character depth, and how to use ALL of this to enthrall your audience. Throughout, we engage in performing exercises, with a bit of vocal, improv, and duo exercises, working in both small and large groups so participants can try out new skills in a supportive environment.
This is a workshop like no other!
Pre-Requisite: Performing Fundamentals is recommended but not required.
In this three-day event, students will spend the first day on focused business topics, followed by all the content you come to expect in a full two-day workshop from CPW.
- Build Eye-Catching Holiday Wardrobe
- Magical Marketing Campaigns
- Canva for Christmas
- Public Speaking Exercises
- A surprise hands-on Experience
- Tools of the Performer: Vocals, Physicality, and Improv
- Tell a Story Without Saying a Word
- Developing your Photo Mojo
- 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
- Time to Shine: Focus on Mrs. Claus, Elves, Managers, and Handlers
- Building Your Back-Story/North Pole
- 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
Schedule
- Thursday, April 16 – TBA
- Friday, April 17, 9 AM-5 PM – Day One: Jolly in JAX Business Focused Content
- Saturday, April 18, 9 AM-5 PM- Day Two: CPW Advanced Performance, part 1
- Sunday, April 19, 9 AM-5 PM – Day Three: CPW Advanced Performance, part 2
Tuition
- Santa & Mrs. Claus Special Pricing
- $450 (per Couple)
- Jolly Registration
- $275 (per Person)
Travel, lodging, and extra activities are not included in the registration.
CPW Training Decks will be available for purchase at the workshop at a discount (and are not included in registration). Purchase of decks is optional.
Lodging
Get Nestled all snug in a bed! We’ve secured exclusive hotel rates at the Hilton Garden Inn Jacksonville Downtown Southbank for your merry experience at Jolly in Jacksonville. Enjoy a comfortable and festive stay while you enhance your holiday performance skills. Book your room today and ensure a magical visit during Jolly in Jacksonville!
- Hilton Garden Inn Jacksonville Downtown Southbank
1201 Kings Ave, Jacksonville, FL 32207 - Booking Link
How to Register
Why You Should Attend – This workshop is the perfect blend of fun and professionalism, aimed at equipping you with the tools and knowledge to become a standout holiday performer. Join us for an unforgettable experience filled with festive spirit, expert instruction, and the joy of bringing Christmas magic to life!
Ready to jingle all the way in Jacksonville?
- Head over to Coley Manor to Register and book your room today!
- Book Your Ticket Now!
- Then complete the Registration Survey to ensure you get your workshop graduation certificate.
Questions? Contact Natasha Spencer-Coley: 904-476-9510
Workshop Participant Survey
Complete the Advanced Registration Survey to ensure you get your workshop graduation certificate. If you are having a hard time with the survey, please go to this page instead: Advanced Survey – Email Questions and email us at santa@santatrue.com with your answers.
If you’ve never attended a CPW Fundamentals course or last year’s Jolly in JAX, please complete Fundamentals survey so that your feedback can be included in the course.
Workshop Venue
Hilton Garden Inn Jacksonville Downtown Southbank
1201 Kings Ave, Jacksonville, FL 32207
Hosted by Christmas with The Coleys
