Has anyone ever asked you, “What’s your story?” I believe we all have stories about our lives and the people in our lives. Some we share, some we keep to ourselves.
If you are fortunate enough, as I am to have wonderful friends, then you may have the opportunity to be a storyteller.
My guests this week are directly involved in storytelling, because twice a year they have a storytelling production in Hermosa Beach.
Jim Mueller is the producer of South Bay Stories Show.
This production features 9 storytellers sharing their personal meaningful stories.
Would you consider standing on a stage and talking about a life story for 8 minutes? What would you choose to share?
Through the capable direction of Tony Torrisi, that’s what these performers do.
Not only will there be storytelling, but also there is music played by the very talented Dawn Hamilton. Dawn is a Clarinetist and doctoral student at UCLA. Music also tells a compelling story. The music of Benny Goodman will fill the room with emotion much like a well-crafted story.
Have you ever found yourself sitting on an airplane next to a total stranger and over time you begin to tell a story about yourself? Granted, on an airplane you have a captive audience. But aren’t you just a little curious to know about what other people have experienced in their lives and also what we all have in common as a story unfolds?
Imagine the courage it takes to stand up on a stage with 100 people smiling at you, anticipating what you might say for 8 minutes.
Here is an inside glimpse about the stories and performers that will be at on stage at the Hermosa Beach Community Center on May 21st and May 22nd.
“Toni and Irving” — John Briganti tells a story of delusion, dementia and denouement concerning his mother and a dear friend.
“Landing a Jet Plane in Tyler Texas” — Dan Burley is flying second seat to Captain Q in a Cessna Citation cockpit when the Captain gets a very bad idea.
“Pivot Foot” — Bob Jones journeys from Pittsburgh youthful debauchery to Hermosa Beach respectability using his pivot foot.
“I Was Bachelorette No. 2 On The Dating Game” — Christine Blackburn lands a spot on a famous TV game show, and wins, but wins what?
“Tosko Day” — Alex Stein creates a holiday celebrating the soul’s darkness for a girl he desires.
“Off To Alaska” — John Marston promises his family a relaxing vacation.
“Blood, Sweat and Tears” — Chris Gregory is “New Girl” in an extreme sport, gets bloodied, suffers and loves it. Go figure.
“A Surfer’s Life” — Marie Hoffman tells about her surfing life in the South Bay’s big attraction, the Pacific Ocean.
“Go For Broke” — Miya Iwataki gains a revealing insight into her father’s WWII US Army service during a trip to Washington D.C.
I think there’s a universal appeal when we gather together to enjoy the often poignant, inspiring or funny snippets about the lives of others, especially when it is delivered from the stage. Suddenly we may feel less isolated and more connected even if we’re strangers.
Every Monday on LaTalkLive.com from 1-2 PT I have the privilege of having a conversation that connects us and brings communities together, this show will do just that.
Please join me as Jim and Dawn share their stories about their lives and passions. For those of you that don’t live in the South Bay Area of the Greater City of Los Angeles, this make be just the jump start you need to create a storytelling production in your community.
If you’d like more information, contact Jim directly at SouthBayStories@gmail.com
For those of you that would like to know about Dawn, I am including a couple of her websites.
www.dawnmariehamilton.weebly.com
www.woodwindchambermusicrepertoire.weebly.com
Stories are a great way to share what you know the most about…YOU!
