After a smashing success at its inaugural slam at The Dairy Arts Center in September, Boulder’s Story Slam is busting open and creating more ways to get more stories and a wider range of voices on the stage. Teens will take the stage at a story slam BY and FOR teens on December 16, 2019, after a 4-week workshop series led by Johanna Walker, host of Boulder’s Story Slam.
“I’ve been wanting to produce a teen slam in conjunction with Boulder’s Story slam for years! I’m excited that we’re now getting support from The Dairy Arts Center to finally make it happen,” says Walker. “I know there are lots of stories that teens have to tell — and we grown-ups have a lot to learn from listening to the hearts & minds of teens. I’m passionate about bringing those voices to the table.”
Walker was co-producer of Truth Be Told, a 6.5-year collaboration between her and Nina Rolle, and is now partnering with The Dairy Arts Center to carry on the story slam tradition in Boulder. The teen story slam is one new element of the collaboration between Johanna Walker and The Dairy, in addition to a one-session adult workshop she’s leading on November 6.
“I want the teens to have great success when they tell their stories, which is why I’m kicking off the project with a workshop. That way they’ll have the confidence and preparation they need to tell great stories well in front of a public audience — and hopefully, they’ll want to do more of it!”
This workshop is open to teens ages 13-15, with any level of storytelling or public speaking experience. Walker intends to host a slam for older teens next, and depending on what unfolds, may combine the two down the road.
“I encourage teens who are scared of public speaking or who aren’t sure they have a story to tell to join. This will be a great opportunity to get the support they need to develop the courage to step onto this stage and speak up in other situations, too.”
Workshop participants will be the first to share their stories at the December 16 slam. There may be a few extra slots for teens from the audience to take the mic. Teens will be invited to the regular community slam on November 17, also at The Dairy, to get a taste of what it’s like to tell a personal narrative story on stage, by heart.
BOULDER’S STORY SLAM & WORKSHOP TEEN EDITION will begin on November 11 and run 4 sessions: Nov 11, 18, Dec 2 & Dec 9, 4-6 pm, at The Dairy Arts Center. On Monday, December 16, 7 pm, there will be a teen showcase/slam open to the public.
BOULDER’S STORY SLAM will take place on Sunday, November 17 at The Dairy Arts Center in Boulder. Doors open at 6:30 pm. The show starts at 7 pm. General Admission tickets are $15. VIP tickets are $25. Advance tickets are highly recommended, as this event sells out. Tickets are on sale now at: tickets.thedairy.org/online/
WORKSHOP FOR ADULTS: Johanna will host a one-night storytelling workshop on Wednesday, November 6, 6-8:30 pm, to help get tellers ready to put their name in the hat on November 17. tickets.thedairy.org/
For more information & registration visit https://tickets.thedairy.org/
Dairy Arts Center: www.dairyartscenter.org
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Link to photos: https://bit.ly/2kxOWyj
Link to tickets for adult workshop: tickets.thedairy.org/online/
Link to tickets for 11/17 story slam: tickets.thedairy.org/online/