Do you have a story that could have “only happened in Cleveland”? A special memory or experience that, for you, summed up what living in Cleveland is all about? If so, we want to hear it!
Keep Talking: A Storytelling Show is a monthly storytelling event that invites people from everyday life to share their experiences on stage in front of a live audience. Created in 2014 by hosts Adam Richard and Zachariah Durr, Keep Talking has brought a diverse mix of new and experienced storytellers to share true stories every month at the Happy Dog in Cleveland’s Gordon Square Arts District.
In honor of the 150th anniversary of the Cleveland Public Library, the Cleveland Print Room and Keep Talking are proud to announce two special shows in conjunction with Cleveland Public Library’s citywide program, Cleveland 20/20: A Photographic Exploration of Cleveland. In honoring the Clevelanders that make up the fabric of our city, Keep Talking will present two “My Cleveland” shows on Wednesday, September 4 at the Happy Dog and Monday, September 9 at the Cleveland Public Library Collinwood Branch.
Keep Talking, Cleveland Public Library and Cleveland Print Room encourage residents of Cleveland to submit a story detailing what Cleveland means to them. Stories can be funny, inspirational, sad, or anything in between, but they must be true and they must be about Cleveland in some way. Find out how you can tell your story by following the submission process below.
“My Cleveland” Submission Process
Clevelanders interested in being part of the show must email a summary of their story to KeepTalkingCLE@gmail.com. When submitting, please make sure your story…
1. Is true and has happened to you
2. Connects to the “My Cleveland” theme in some way
3. Includes a summary of your beginning, middle, and end (no cliffhangers, please!).
You do not need to write out your entire story, but we do ask that you provide enough detail for us to understand what your story is about. A bullet-point summary is usually sufficient, but you are welcome to submit audio or video recordings. Want to know more about what kind of stories we look for? Shoot us an email at KeepTalkingCLE@gmail.com!
We need YOU. Everyone has an interesting story in them. It doesn’t matter if you aren’t an actor, comic or natural “center of attention”, we want to hear from you.
WHAT DO I NEED TO DO TO BE ON THE SHOW?
Stories need to meet three requirements:
1. Stories need to be true, and have happened to YOU, not your buddy, partner, sibling, etc.
2. Stories need to fit the month’s theme in SOME way.
3. No hate or harm – meaning you can tell a story of how someone hurt you, but if things get negative, change the name. Please don’t tell a slanderous story about someone who will be in the room.
Submit your story by writing us at KeepTalkingCLE@gmail.com.
You can either write a two paragraph max summary of the story, or send us an audio or video of your story summary. Send us at least the beginning and ending of the story. Don’t leave on a cliffhanger. If you think writing the whole thing out will help us “get” the story – go for it (but please, no novels!)
Once you’ve submitted, we will quickly get back to you about your story – so send it today!
THINGS WE LOOK FOR IN STORY SUBMISSIONS:
1. We like detail, but you don’t need to write a novel…Give us the beginning, middle and end!
2. We would prefer one single story and not a recap of multiple experiences…don’t just give us a series of events or anecdotes! For example, if you’re a bartender and have met and experienced all kinds of weird people, we want to hear about is the story of that one crazy guy you’ll never forget!
3. WHY do you want to share it — how did this affect you? Why is this story something that sticks out to you? Did you change from the experience? Did you learn something? Were challenged in some way and forced to confront something you’ve never had to before? In other words, this story has stuck with you as being a story you want to share but now you have to be able to say WHY it’s sticking with you.
Remember…stories can be suspenseful, sad, funny, romantic, personal, shocking, emotional….whatever! We just want to hear YOUR story. So stop reading this and get typing…we can’t wait to hear about your experiences!
2019/09/04 - 2019/09/09
Additional time info:
SHOWS
Wednesday, September 4
Location: The Happy Dog (5801 Detroit Ave, Cleveland, OH 44102)
Time: 8PM – 9:15PM
Cost: FREE
Theme: My Cleveland
Monday, September 9
Location: CPL – Collinwood Branch (856 E 152nd St, Cleveland, OH 44110)
Show starts: 5:30PM – 6:40PM
Cost: FREE
Happy Dog
5801 Detroit Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44102