On Bainbridge Island, we have a wonderful bi-annual celebration of storytelling called Story Slam. Held at a local restaurant, The Treehouse Cafe, friends and neighbors dare to take the stage to tell a 5-minute true story, without props. Random judges chosen from the always-packed-to-the-rafters audience tally scores to determine three winners. The stories are always memorable; funny, heartfelt, or downright frightening. The slam events are organized by the multi-talented Wendy Wallace, and benefits go to our Teen Writers Workshop and Teen Creative Writing Summer Camp. Earlier this year I thought, “Wouldn’t it be incredible for our talented teen writers to have a turn? No competition, no memorization, just pure storytelling awesomeness.”
That dream is becoming a reality!
In partnership with Bainbridge Artisan Resource Network (BARN) and the Kitsap Regional Library, we’re hosting our very first Teen Story Slam at Westside Pizza on Bainbridge Island on Wednesday, November 2nd!
We invite all Kitsap-area writers in grades 7-12 to share a story they’ve written. All participants will receive a prize!
Teens are welcome to read from their pages for a five-minute (or less) time limit. We want to hear short stories, poems, a chapter from their novel, a true story–anything goes! We welcome any genre as well, from Sci-Fi to Fantasy, contemporary, comedy, and crime mystery. (PG content only, of course.)
Beloved Bainbridge High School English teacher Noah Barfield will serve as master of ceremonies. Mr. Barfield has braved the Story Slam stage, and won. He is also known in the community for his achievements as a playwright, and among his students as a comedian.
WHEN: Wednesday, November 2nd, from 6:30 – 8:00 pm (Come early and get dinner!)
WHERE: Westside Pizza, 323 High School Road, Bainbridge Island 98110
Interested teens can SIGN UP at the Reference Desk at the Bainbridge Library. (Say hi to Teen Librarian, Jenny Bloom!)
Registration is required to participate.
Family and friends are welcome to come cheer on the writers! Donations will support the Teen Writers Workshop at Bainbridge Public Library.