Queer To Tell LLC
New York, NY
US
Nick Eibler
The national storytelling series Queer To Tell is back for three exciting shows this Pride Month at Otis & Finn Barbershop in Long Island City, Ginger's Bar in Brooklyn, and at The Tank in Manhattan as part of their annual PrideFest!
Queer To Tell is a NYC born national storytelling series that features LGBTQIA+ storytellers, is hosted by a local drag/queer performance artist, and takes place at Queer-owned/affirming spaces across the country. The series takes place in non-traditional performance spaces to create a space that feels like an intimate gathering audiences are happening upon rather than a theatrical performance. Each show has a different theme that allows for storytellers to share the universal experiences we as a community share but also the nuances of our different identities. This series was established to document the myriad of stories that exist within the LGBTQIA+ community, facilitate and encourage community building, and claim space in places that are actively celebrating and protecting us.
Since launching in Pride Month 2023, we've hosted shows at Til Death, Vers BK, Astoria Bookshop, and Club Cumming in New York City, as well as Captain Quack's/Reverie Books in Austin, TX.
Ideally, we would love this show to feature storytellers from all throughout the community and from all walks of life; not just performers and artists but lawyers, designers, entrepreneurs, activists, baristas, bartenders, caretakers, teachers, Uber drivers, and any other Queer person who has a story to tell.
DATES, LOCATIONS, AND THEMES:
Thursday, June 6th. Time: Doors open 8:15 PM, Show starts 8:45 PM - 10:15 PM @ Otis & Finn Barbershop. Theme: TALES OF THE CITY - Your New York story; stories of finding success, peace, loss, love, anything that takes place in and centers this great city of ours.
Monday, June 10th. Time: Doors open 7:00 PM, Show starts 8:00 PM - 9:30 PM @ Ginger's Bar. Theme: SAPPHIC STORIES - "Sapphic," in contemporary usage, refers to femmes attracted to other femmes whether they identify as lesbian, bisexual, queer, trans, masc, or any diverse identity falling within the spectrum of same-sex attractions. These stories can range from coming out ones, to your "ring of keys" moment, to love stories, to moments of gender euphoria, to the meeting of a mentor, to finding your chosen family. **We are seeking an all Women, Trans and/or Gender Non-Conforming lineup for this show**
Friday, June 21st. Time: Doors open 6:30 PM, Show starts 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM @ The Tank. Theme: CAPTURED IN COLOR - With this theme, we are elevating a traditional Queer To Tell show with an added photo series – displayed on a structure onstage during the show – based on the six initial colors of the Pride Flag and their meanings (Red - Life, Orange - Healing, Yellow - Sunlight, Green - Nature, Blue - Harmony, Purple - Spirit). Each storyteller will share a moment inspired by one of the different color meanings and partake in a photoshoot (done ahead of the show) that reflects what that word means to them. When is a time you felt truly alive? When was a time you felt your inner child healed or began to heal? When did you first step out into the sun as your authentic self? How has the beauty of the natural world around you affected your journey? Think of a time you met someone who you were perfectly in sync with, in perfect harmony. What was a time that you felt like you truly honored your queer spirit and those who came before you?
Here are some prompts to get you brainstorming...
- Write a story inspired by a photo. What's happening? Is there someone else in the photo? What led to this moment? How did you feel about them then? How do you feel about them now? Where and when was the photo taken? What happened after?
- Is there a place in the city that holds a specific memory anytime you go? How did you find this place? Do you still go? How does it make you feel?
- A person you met one night, but have never seen again, who changed your life. Or maybe it's an animal or an object that grabbed your attention? Write a story about how you met and how they impacted you.
- Think of the time where you were the villain in the story. The home-wrecker, the ba-hum-bug Scrooge, the dream crusher, the bully. Write a story about that time and how do you look back on it now.
- Write a story that starts just before the climax. Lead us up that heart pounding moment and then leave us on a cliffhanger as you go back and describe how you got to this moment.
FOR THE SHOW:
In the show, you will perform a story ranging from 7 - 10 minutes (3 - 5 pages) in accordance with the theme for the evening. These stories DO NOT have to be memorized, but they should be worked on. There will be a music stand for you to put pages or an iPad on and read from should you need it. The week prior to your show, we will workshop your story to get the first time sharing jitters out and make sure you feel ready to go come showtime. If you’re unfamiliar with the form of storytelling or need some inspiration for topics and structure, I highly recommend watching some videos from The Moth’s Mainstage playlist. The Moth is one of the leaders in teaching and presenting the artform of storytelling and is a great resource. Also, check out the Queer To Tell Instagram for photos and videos from our previous shows.
This is NOT a paid opportunity. The show will be ticketed, but all profits will go back into the event (paying for space, photographer, etc.), as well as a portion of proceeds being donated to a local Queer organization.
TO SUBMIT:
If interested, please fill out the attached Google Form. If you have multiple stories for each theme, feel free to submit multiple forms. We hope to have the show lineup complete by May 17th, so please fill out the form sooner rather than later.
If you have any questions about the show, your story, anything at all, please do not hesitate to reach out to [email protected].
Jun 6, 2024 - Jun 21, 2024
$0.00 – $0.00 per hour
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