The ultra-popular Valley Voices StorySlam collaboration between New England Public Radio (NEPR) and the Academy of Music Theatre embarks on its second season this winter at its new downtown location, the Northampton Brewery.
The theme for the first StorySlam on Thursday, January 21, 2016, will be “Nerds & Geeks.” NEPR’s audition line is open to interested storytellers, who are invited to call 413-735-6688 to leave their name and the first line of their story for consideration between October 25th and November 8th. Full entry instructions and rules are available at digital.nepr.net/valleyvoices. The ten strongest first lines will be selected by the Academy of Music and NEPR. Those storytellers will then craft their stories into five-minute, first-person narratives for the live StorySlam.
A StorySlam is a competition based on the art of storytelling. It puts emphasis on content and performance, encouraging storytellers to focus on what they’re saying and how they’re saying it. It is an exercise in crafting stories within a set time limit, and it’s great entertainment. Following “Nerds and Geeks” in January, the theme for February 25th’s slam will be “Stranger,” while March 24th will be all about “Money Money Money.”
As with last season’s slams, the top three winners from each night, as chosen by audience vote, will qualify to compete in a culminating Best of Valley Voices StorySlam, to be held onstage at the Academy of Music in the fall of 2016. NEPR will also record each slam and post the stories to its AudioFiles website.
The first season of Valley Voices StorySlams sold out quickly. This year, tickets for all three slams at the Northampton Brewery will go on sale on Saturday, November 21st for $10 per seat, plus service fees. The StorySlams will be held at the Northampton Brewery, 11 Brewster Court, Northampton. Tickets will be available online at www.aomtheatre.com or through the Academy of Music Box Office at 274 Main St., Northampton, Tuesdays through Fridays from 3-6pm.