First Person StorySlams Kick Off April 24 April 24, 2007

First Person StorySlams Kick Off April 24
a new monthly, competitive storytelling series at L’Etage

WHEN: Tuesday, April 24; doors open at 7:30 p.m., slam begins at 8:30 p.m.
WHERE: L'Etage; 6th & Bainbridge Streets, Philadelphia
ADMISSION: $5 donation, ages 21+. For more information, contact First Person Arts at (267) 402-2057 or www.firstpersonarts.org. For information about participating, email storyslams@firstpersonarts.org.
WHAT: Philadelphia’s first competitive, real-life storytelling series will kick off on April 24th with stranger-than-fiction tales by anyone who wants to compete. First Person StorySlams are presented by First Person Arts and will be hosted by a diverse array of Philadelphia personalities, starting off with Madi Distefano, groundbreaking actor, director, writer, and founder of Brat Productions will host the April slam.

Each of the StorySlams will have a unique theme, designed to prompt stories drawn from real life experience. Everyone with a story and a little sense of competition is encouraged to participate. The first month’s theme is “firsts.” Participants are invited to tell the stories about their first date, first road trip, first words, or any other firsts they want to share.

Ten participants will have the chance to step up to the mic and tell a story at each slam. Contestants will be judged by their peers, and each month’s highest scorers will win an invitation to November’s Grand Slam, where they will compete for the title of Philadelphia’s Best Storyteller. The Grand Slam will be presented during the sixth annual First Person Festival of memoir and documentary arts, November 7-11, 2007.

First Person Arts is a nonprofit organization and producer of the annual First Person Festival (Nov 7-11, 2007) and other programs that tap into the power of personal stories and speak to diverse audiences, including people whose voices are not often heard. First Person Arts is guided by the belief that the sharing of personal experience is a powerful way for people to celebrate uniqueness, bridge differences, and find common ground. For more information, please visit www.firstpersonarts.org.

Official Website: http://www.firstpersonarts.org