On Stage
A highly-produced multimedia reading series, The VAMP Storytelling Showcase presents an evening of several writers performing works with visual accompaniment revolving around a changing theme.
All participants are chosen by blind online submission, given writing and performance workshops to further improve the material and its delivery, and the final product is curated in a featured capacity, monthly since 2009.
Writers are encouraged to submit a 5-10 minute long (4-6 page, 12pt. font, double-spaced) story related to a show’s theme through the “submit” link on our website. We highly encourage the use of images in power-point style presentation during the writer’s final performance, but these do not need to be submitted up front.
How the VAMP process works:
• Writers submit a first draft of their true stories to our submittable account, indicating which VAMP theme they are submitting for.
• A blind panel of readers are assembled from volunteers who have previously performed at VAMP. Each reader, along with the show’s producer and SSWA’s Program Manager and Program Director, upvotes, downvotes, or stays neutral on each piece submitted.
• Scores are tallied and top-scoring stories are identified. Final selection begins with the show’s producer, Program Manager, and Program Director, taking into account factors that will make the show as a whole the best it can be. These can include if there are two or more stories too similar in theme, if there is a range of performers that represent the community, if there is a balance of humor and poignancy, etc. Submitters who have never performed at VAMP before are given extra attention.
• The selected cohort begins a literary boot camp that involves participating in group read and critiques to give and receive feedback, work with assigned writing coaches 1-1, and receiving performance coaching to ensure they’re comfortable with public speaking.
• Finally, the cohort members select visual images to accompany their stories, send in their final drafts, and then perform together in front of an adoring audience!
• Videos of performances are uploaded to our Youtube Channel, and selected pieces will appear on The VAMP Podcast.
• We encourage writers to seek opportunities to publish their work, and to treat the VAMP Storytelling Showcase as a powerful growth experience, but not the end of the line for the stories they workshop with us. Authors retain the rights to their work.
Long Story Short offers a populist platform for anyone, and we mean anyone, to join us and tell a true story, without notes, for five minutes or less on a different theme every month. No RSVP necessary, just check the schedule for the next event and show up ready to share! This is an excellent opportunity to get your storytelling feet wet in a fun environment. It’s a great place to meet people, with an extraordinarily welcoming environment and supportive people genuinely curious to hear true stories from strangers in their community — whether funny, painful, practiced, or off the cuff. Sign up when you arrive. Or halfway through the show. Or just come to listen! Long Story Short is held the first Thursday evening of every month, at 7pm PST.
