OK So, Tulsa Story Slam: THAT ONE FRIEND

Once a month we come together and hear people tell TRUE (funny, serious, sad, harrowing, interesting) stories about their lives.

HOW DOES A STORY SLAM WORK?

Every event has a theme, and everyone in the audience is invited to share a personal story related to the theme. This month the theme is THAT ONE FRIEND. Plenty of stories can be molded to fit this theme, so BE BRAVE and come and put your name in the hat! If you have a story you want to tell, leave us your name at the door. Every potential storyteller's name gets thrown in a hat. 10 names are drawn and each storyteller has 5 minutes on the mic to tell a story and win the crowd. 'Judges' are audience members who score the teller/tale on a 10-point scale. The highest-scoring teller gets a cash prize and an invitation to participate in the yearly Grand Slam in spring 2026. At the Grand Slam the monthly winners vie for the "Best Storyteller in Tulsa" spot.

WHO TELLS A STORY?

Anyone who wants to!

TIPS FOR STORYTELLER:

*Stories are TOLD not read. PRACTICE so you can remember it without reading from paper. NO paper allowed on stage.*Your story should be TRUE and told from your point of view.*Stick to the 5 MINUTE LIMIT. (Practice is good for this aspect)*Have some balance in your story. If it is a sad or serious one, add in some levity. If it is a funny story, add some poignancy.*Try not to ramble. Make note of the key parts of your story and thread it all together.*Know your story by heart, but not by rote memorization.*It's helpful to know your first line and last line when you get up there. A great first line grabs attention! And a great last line is clear and completes the story for the audience.*NO STAND UP ROUTINES PLEASE. We love funny people, but they must tell a story.*NO POEMS, RANTS OR ESSAYS. Make it something that actually happened, not a diatribe or musing.*Have some stakes, what do you stand to gain or lose? Why is what happens important to you? Is there a conflict resolution? What did you learn? Reflect on the events during the telling. What's it all MEAN (to you)?

SHOW UP A LITTLE EARLY TO PUT YOUR NAME IN THE HAT, if there are more than 10 storytellers. Judges may not be entered in to tell a story, or know someone entered. $10 door entry. The night's winner takes home $50!

Host or Publisher Living Arts