News
Stop Me If You’ve Heard This One
June 11th, 2012
by Mike Kane
On Friday the 15th, I’ll be in a SpeakeasyDC show called “Second Story: A Night of Fabulous Works in Progress.” Those of you have read my stuff before know that I don’t think anything I do is fabulous, so I don’t want to focus too much on the latter half of the name of the show. No, the part I want to talk about is “Second Story.”
I know storytellers that perform the same story in different venues. Like, they may have told it in a Story League show, and then brought it to Fan-Freaking-Tastic and done it there. They’ll say, “I’m doing that one about…” and as a listener, you actually know the story. For me, storytelling isn’t like comedy. With standup comedy, Read More
Story Prompt: Jekyll & Hyde
June 8th, 2012
Do you have a hidden side of your personality? Does someone you know? Tell about at time when that hidden side showed itself.
And then make sure to come to the Open Mic show on Tuesday, June 12 to hear other people’s tales of dual personalities!
Confessions of a Desperate Fundraiser
June 5th, 2012
by Amy Saidman
I’m about to say all the wrong things. In the rule-book of fundraising, I am supposed to craft letters with lots of underlined phrases, bolded words, and
stand-alone “calls-to-action.”
I’m expected to be perky and positive, like Good Morning America, and the message should focus on the donor’s perspective of our impact and value.
While it’s true that we are doing remarkably well with lots of great shows and education programs, big ideas, and a ton of energy, what I’d really like to do is have a moment of pure candor, Read More
Top Ten Ways To Tell If Your Story Sucks
June 4th, 2012
by Mike Kane
1) Your listener responds with nothing more than monosyllabic noises during your story.
Most people can’t resist adding their own feedback, whether it be little phrases like, “oh no, she di-int!” or a question like, “Wow, so what did you do??!” If the responses you’re receiving are more like droning sounds of “uh,” and “mmm,” or “oh,” these are not good signs.
My advice, throw out one of those vague, arbitrary phrases that indicate the end of the story. Phrases like, “Anywho…” or, “well, what are you gonna do?” or, even the old, “I guess you had to be there.” The listener will be less embarrassed for you than they will be thankful Read More
Story Prompt: Summer Vacations
June 1st, 2012
Road trips with the family? Lazy days at the pool? Finding a way to entertain the kids? Tell about what summer vacation means to you.
Upcoming Events
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Special Event: Atlas and SpeakeasyDC present Faye Lane’s Beauty Shop Stories – One Night Only
June 30, 2012
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Monthly Show: Band Camp – Stories about music, raves, and rock & roll (sign up open)
July 10, 2012
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Monthly Show: Baked: Stories about summer (sign up open)
August 14, 2012
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Storytelling Boot Camp: A one-day crash course in the art of telling a story
August 25, 2012
Tweets coming soon!
