Speak Up, Rise Up has announced the line-up of 18 solo and storytelling shows in its first annual Speak Up, Rise Up Storytelling Festival on the Lower East Side.
The storytelling festival, under the direction of Asher Novek, the festival runs August 14 – 20 at the Connelly Theater on the Lower East Side.
Performances take place at the Connelly Theater, 220 East 4th Street (between Aves. A & B) and last about an hour.
The festival focuses on “bringing traditional and non-traditional performers together” and “to raise the profile of people and communities, whose stories we don’t often hear.”
Tickets are $15 online and $20 at the door available at www.artful.ly/speak-up-rise-up with festival passes available for $45 (4 tickets), $100 (10 tickets) and a full festival pass for $150 (18 tickets).
The group’s advisory committee includes Destiny Arturet, David Crabb, Nicole Ferraro, Anita Flores, Susan Kent, Mark Pagan, Larry Rosen, and Jordan Schulze.
SCARS – Written & performed by Ophira Eisenberg (Solo-show) Monday, August 14 @ 8:00 pm
This show is about my scars, filled with comedic and tragic stories, and how to accept these patterns etched in skin day after day after day. With special appearances by storyteller Ed Gavagan and magician Matthew Hoytzclaw.
Raised by the East – Written and performed by Gastor Almonte (Solo-show) Monday, August 14 @ 9:30 pm
Raised by the East is a collection of stories by Gastor Almonte centered around his childhood memories from his neighborhood, East New York Brooklyn.
Shannon Cason’s Homemade Stories Live – Created & performed by Shannon Cason (Live podcast) Tuesday, August 15 @ 8:00 pm
Homemade Stories Podcast is short stories and commentary shared by writer/storyteller Shannon Cason.
This Isn’t Helping – Written & performed by Jude Treder-Wolff (Solo-show) Tuesday, August 15 @ 9:30 pm
Some fascinating characters think they can help with this search for hope including a mind/body therapist who was either the most relaxed, ethereal person in this world or was completely high.
Represent Live at the Speak Up, Rise Up Festival – Hosted by Aisha Harris (Live podcast) Wednesday, August 16 @ 7:30 pm
Represent is a forum to discuss movies and TV series from the perspectives of women, people of color, and the LGBTQ community, particularly through one-on-one interviews with artists in the industry. Come listen to the podcast as it is being recorded live.
Singleling w/Vanessa Valerio – Hosted by Vanessa Valerio (Storytelling show) Wednesday, August 16 @ 9:30 pm
Singleling is a monthly storytelling podcast and live show series that showcases love and dating stories from regular people and storytellers around the world, as well as advice from dating experts.
Should you do online dating? Have a story about your encounter with an escort stuttgart? Singleling picks out questions and stories like these for their monthly podcast. Come to the show to hear interesting stories and get advice that could change your love life.
Awkward Hugs With Beautiful Women – Written & performed by Josh Johnson (Solo-show) Thursday, August 17 @ 8:00 pm
From school dances to first dates to proposing to the woman he thought was his girlfriend, Josh Johnson has had the pleasure and pain of being terribly awkward in front of some beautiful, intense, and incredible women.
Emotional Genius – Written & performed by Giulia Rozzi (Solo-show) Thursday, August 17 @ 9:30 pm
Giulia Rozzi workshops a new collection of stories about self-help, self-esteem and how we are all f*cked up.
The Story Studio Presents: “In It Together: Stories of Strength in Diversity” – Hosted by Kevin Allison (Storytelling show) Friday, August 18 @ 8:00 pm
In today’s political climate, it is more essential than ever that the stories of Americans from minority communities be heard.
I AM OTHER________ – Written & performed by Seena Jon (Solo-show) Friday, August 18, 2017 @ 9:30 pm
Seena, along with the help of some visual projections, will share moments of his life that range from joyful childhood ignorance to sex, drugs, and anger filled adolescence to self-reflective empathy-addicted adulthood. Directed by Michael Mitnick.
The Cultess – Written & performed by Cait Elliott (Solo-show) Saturday, August 19 @ 1:30 pm
The raucous tale of joining a cult, falling in love with its leader, and life on the other side.
Dawn Fraser (Storytelling show) Saturday, August 19 @ 3:00 pm
Dawn Fraser presents a lineup of personal stories about current events, tensions in today’s society, and how we all fit into a larger movement.
LATE BLOOMER – Written & performed Catie Lazarus (Solo-show) Saturday, August 19 @ 6:00 pm
Catie Lazarus shares stories of her life as a slightly feral Late Bloomer.
Aparna ‘N’ Jo ‘N’ Friends! – Created & performed by Aparna Nancherla & Jo Firestone (Storytelling show) Saturday, August 19 @ 9:00 pm
Aparna and Jo navigate their way through a show with the help of their foolish friends who agreed to help them. Their only promise is they will delight and confuse you, not in that order.
Surprise Stories – Hosted by Colin Wilhm (Storytelling show) Saturday, August 19 @ 10:30 pm
Surprise Stories is the world’s first storytelling game show in a cage match setting.
The Defiant Network Sunday, August 20 @ 12:00 pm
Defiant is a next-generation community committed to rebuilding the promise of America.
How Hard? – Hosted by Nisse Greenberg (Storytelling show) Sunday, August 20 @ 1:30 pm
Stories from those have been on the inside and been in the trenches working to stop 21st century slavery.
No, We Won’t Shut Up! – Hosted by Robin Bady (Storytelling show) Sunday, August 20 @ 3:00 pm
There is a lot wrong in the world, and these four women have something to say about it. Featuring Robin Bady, Megan Hicks, Nicole Ferraro, and Michele Carlo
