True-Life Storytelling via "The Drunken Telegraph"

We just heard about an event coming to Tacoma that we’re really, really excited about. And we think you will be too. And no, it’s not the Justin Bieber tour hitting the Tacoma Dome this October.

Megan Sukys and Tad Monroe are co-producing an event showcasing Tacoma’s storytelling talent. We would try to describe it, but they do such a better job.

Tacoma, Fall 1889

The writer of “The Jungle Book” paid a visit here and noted:

“Overhead the drunken telegraph, telephone and electric-light wires tangled on tottering posts whose butts were half whittled through by the knife of the loafer… the town was thrown like a broken set of dominoes over all…

We passed … along pavements that beginning in pine-plank ended in the living tree… by a female seminary, tall, gaunt and red, which a native of the town bade us marvel at, and we marveled;”

Rudyard Kipling was just 24-years old when Tacoma made this first impression on him. Now, 123 years later, Tacoma gets back into the First Impression Business. Co-producers Tad Monroe and Megan Sukys introduce performance storytelling to Tacoma, in the spirit of “The Moth” and Seattle’s “A Guide to Visitors”.

For the first show, five local storytellers will share their true-life tales about first-time experiences. Tad Monroe, Rosalind Bell, Paul Currington, Tamiko Nimura and Cody Lail reveal the hilarity and insight gained from going to Europe for the first time, a first communion, a first yoga headstand, a first girlfriend and leaving home for the first time.

The evening is split into two parts. In the first half, the headline storytellers share tales that they have developed through workshops with Drunken Telegraph host and coproducer Megan Sukys. In the second half, the stage opens for a “Story Slam”.

Attendees can sign up for one of the 10 slots available to share a 5-minute story about a first experience that they think will thrill the audience. Megan Sukys will poll the audience, based on the human-calibrated Applause-o-Meter, about who they think should win the Slam. The winner gets a $10 gift certificate to King’s Books.

Drunken Telegraph will be a quarterly production, tackling a new topic every three months. The next show’s topic and date will be announced at each performance. People can pitch stories via the Drunken Telegraph Facebook Page. Performers of all experience levels are welcome to pitch and slam. Drunken Telegraph supports and promotes the culture of entertaining personal storytelling.

We are tremendous fans and supporters of personal storytelling projects. This sounds like an amazing opportunity to hear the tales from within our very own community.

True-Life Storytelling via “The Drunken Telegraph”
When: Tuesday, June 5, 2012; 7:00pm
Where: Anthem Coffee & Tea; 1911 Pacific Ave, Tacoma
Details: Find the event on Facebook for more information and to RSVP.

Painting by Britton Sukys.