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What’s a StorySlam?

A StorySlam is more than a storytelling competition. It’s an invitation to share five minutes of your life in a room full of people who appreciate a well-told tale. Audience storytellers take to the stage with real life stories on the theme of the night. Winners get a $100 prize and the chance to compete in the season finale GrandSlam. Got five minutes? Come and lend an ear, or share an experience.

How does a StorySlam work?

Each month, we set a theme and invite up to 8 people from the audience to share a personal story from their lives that relate to that theme. And, if you’re in the audience, you get to participate, too.

Tips for Storytellers

  1. All stories must have a beginning, a middle, and an end. Know your plot points.
  2. Tell your story from your point of view.
  3. Know your first line and last line when you step on stage. Knowing what point A and point Z are will help you get through the rest if you get nervous.

STEP 1 – ONLINE OR AT THE DOOR

Throw your name into a bucket at the door if you’d like to share a story, or if you’d like to judge the stories told. We draw 10 storyteller names and 3 official judges.

STEP 2 – ON STAGE

Each storyteller is given 5 minutes on the mic to tell a story and win over the crowd. Sorry folks, but no props or notes allowed.

STEP 3 VOTING

The judges score each storyteller on Content and Presentation using a ten-point scale.

Scoring a StorySlam

Content   |   A measure of the story itself.

Plot – The story has a plot with a strong beginning, absorbing middle, and it drives right through to the end, with a strong arc.

Theme –  It relates to the theme of the Slam.

Presentation   |   A measure of how well the story is told.

Connection – The storyteller must bring the story to life and connect with the audience.

Length – The story is 5 minutes or less.

And The Winner Is…

FIRST PLACE

FIRST PLACE

The highest scoring participant wins $100 plus an invitation to perform in the Grand Slam, where he or she will vie for the title of “Best Storyteller in Philadelphia” and free StorySlam admission for life.

AUDIENCE FAVORITE

AUDIENCE FAVORITE

The entire audience rates each performance, and the storyteller with the highest audience score at the end of the StorySlam season wins a spot at the Grand Slam.

StorySlams
StorySlams
StorySlams
StorySlams
StorySlams
StorySlams