Storytelling environment: story and playgroup creation

Embodiments provide techniques for dynamically creating a story for playback using a plurality of storytelling devices. Embodiments identify a plurality of storytelling devices available to participate in a storytelling experience. User input associated with the storytelling experience is received. Embodiments further include retrieving a story template based at least in part on the identified plurality of storytelling devices. Additionally, embodiments dynamically create a first story by mapping actions from the retrieved story template to storytelling devices in the plurality of storytelling devices, based at least in part on the received user input, such that the plurality of storytelling devices will perform a respective one or more actions during playback of the first story based on the mapped actions from the retrieved story template.