Spring Break
Stoop Storytelling takes Centerstage again
Issue date: 11/1/07
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The Stoop Storytelling series has had a short yet exciting track-record crammed full of successes, sell-outs and stellar performances. The Stoop, which is a theater-based performance group centering around the idea of ordinary people with extraordinary stories to tell, was pioneered by the group's two crafters, Laura Wexler and Jessica Hankin.
After traveling to San Francisco and experiencing a similar concept called "Porchlight," Laura contacted Jessica in hopes of spawning the idea in Baltimore. Performances began at the Creative Alliance and quickly gained a devoted following. In 2006, the Stoop earned the Best of Baltimore award from Citypaper and Baltimore magazine.
This year, I have been lucky enough to sign onto the Stoop initiative as the "First-Ever Stoop Intern," in the hopes of spreading the concept to college campuses which have remained an untapped area for the Stoop.
Despite this, however, after nine straight sold-out shows, the directors decided to make a tactical move to a larger venue in hopes of allowing individuals to buy tickets at the door, as well as leaving the door wide open for those who had not yet been introduced to the Stoop concept. Now held at Centerstage (700 N. Calvert St.), which has a much higher capacity for viewers, the Stoop shows can continue to uphold their refreshing focus on audience engagement. In addition to the seven scheduled speakers of the night, who range from boxers to authors, from teachers to retired CSI's, three audience members are picked at random to tell a personal story that coincides with the evening's theme.
Despite more than 200 added seats (amounting now to 560), however, last month's show, themed "Stories about the Body," sold out before 8 p.m., marking an exciting transition that had worried the Stoop staff. Instead of criticizing the Stoop for abandoning their less mainstream locale at the Creative Alliance, old fans and newcomers alike embraced the show all the same.
This month, the show's title, "My Theme Song: Tales About the Ditties That Define Us," will assuredly be entertaining and inspiring as usual. The storytellers include pianist and songwriter Sandy Asirvatham, stuntwoman Dovile Mark, WYPR host Ken Jackson, Degenerettes memeber Rahne Alexander, activist Steve Haddad, indie rocker/filmmaker Jason Dove, and The Wire actress Felicia "Snoop" Pearson.
After traveling to San Francisco and experiencing a similar concept called "Porchlight," Laura contacted Jessica in hopes of spawning the idea in Baltimore. Performances began at the Creative Alliance and quickly gained a devoted following. In 2006, the Stoop earned the Best of Baltimore award from Citypaper and Baltimore magazine.
This year, I have been lucky enough to sign onto the Stoop initiative as the "First-Ever Stoop Intern," in the hopes of spreading the concept to college campuses which have remained an untapped area for the Stoop.
Despite this, however, after nine straight sold-out shows, the directors decided to make a tactical move to a larger venue in hopes of allowing individuals to buy tickets at the door, as well as leaving the door wide open for those who had not yet been introduced to the Stoop concept. Now held at Centerstage (700 N. Calvert St.), which has a much higher capacity for viewers, the Stoop shows can continue to uphold their refreshing focus on audience engagement. In addition to the seven scheduled speakers of the night, who range from boxers to authors, from teachers to retired CSI's, three audience members are picked at random to tell a personal story that coincides with the evening's theme.
Despite more than 200 added seats (amounting now to 560), however, last month's show, themed "Stories about the Body," sold out before 8 p.m., marking an exciting transition that had worried the Stoop staff. Instead of criticizing the Stoop for abandoning their less mainstream locale at the Creative Alliance, old fans and newcomers alike embraced the show all the same.
This month, the show's title, "My Theme Song: Tales About the Ditties That Define Us," will assuredly be entertaining and inspiring as usual. The storytellers include pianist and songwriter Sandy Asirvatham, stuntwoman Dovile Mark, WYPR host Ken Jackson, Degenerettes memeber Rahne Alexander, activist Steve Haddad, indie rocker/filmmaker Jason Dove, and The Wire actress Felicia "Snoop" Pearson.
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