New York City “Story Slam!”

Got a medical horror story? Can’t stop talking about your digestive track? Did you ever rescue a dog from a latrine? If so, you may have been a Peace Corps Volunteer! Come hear true tales of adventure and what it was really like to have the toughest job you’ll ever love told LIVE at our 7th Annual Peace Corps Story Slam!

As we all know, Peace Corps is 27 months of continuous funny, poignant, and amazing stories. When RPCVs tell stories, they humanize and illuminate places and people with that unique, grassroots, Peace Corps perspective. We’ll have a brand new batch of stories this year, all sure to make you laugh, cringe, and cry … maybe all at once.

But wait, there’s more! We are taking a cue from our friends at The Moth and hosting our first open-mic storytelling telling show! Think that you have a GREAT story to tell? Well, let’s hear it! Come prepared with a 5 minute story (you know, one of those things with a beginning, middle and end) and throw your name in the hat (or bucket for showering) and you might get lucky enough to end up on stage, telling your tale in front of a live, enraptured audience. *Participation encouraged, not mandatory.

Suggested contribution of $5 for entry and drinks also available for a donation. Proceeds will support a current Peace Corps project abroad.

Date: June 9, 2018
Time: 7:00PM – 9:00PM
Location: 891 Amsterdam Ave., Manhattan, NY map
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So who’s all going?! Check our Story Slam Facebook page and find out!

Here are some tips and tricks to 1) find, 2) craft, and 3) share your story. Tips and tricks also available on our website.

1) Find your story
Deeper meaning vs. entertainment value / Action: who, what, when, where, and why

Exercise: Take 2 minutes to free-write and list all the people you met in PC and places you went. Circle the people and places that could be good elements of a good story. Did anyone or any place surprise you?

2) Craft your story
KEY ELEMENTS
Context (30-60 sec): When and where is this story taking place? Characters (compelling and few). What should the audience sense?
Action (1-2 min): What happens in the story? Give us tension! Raise the stakes!
Climax (1 min): It’s not really a story unless something fundamentally changes.
Closure (1 min): Do you deliver on your promise after setting up a central question? What is meaning of this story? Any key audience insights/takeaways?

Exercise: Take 10 minutes to fill out this “Story Spine”
Once Upon a Time _____________________
And every day, ________________________
Until one day, _________________________
Because of that ________________________
And then _____________________________
And then _____________________________
Until finally/then suddenly _______________
And the funny thing was _______________
Ever since then _____________________

3) Share your story
Use your authentic voice / Ground yourself and your body / Pace your delivery

STORYTELLING RULES
Allow yourself to be vulnerable – Be humble, personable, and intimate
Use dialogue – Dialogue helps develop characters and makes it more fun!
Find a way to frame your story – WHY are you telling the story. Use your first and last line as bookends to satisfy the audience
Use the rule of threes – Things that come in threes are inherently funnier and more satisfying
Get the audience on your side – If they like you, they will be more attentive. Feel free to throw in some translated local language!

Exercise: Practice with a friend and get feedback.