Congratulations to Swapna Deshpande, who won our April story slam. The theme was If Only…
Swapna (left) is pictured here with with this month’s emcee, Jamie Beth Cohen.
Swapna won a prized Lancaster Story Slam pint glass and will compete in our 2024 Grand Slam on December 3.
Our next story slam is May 28 and the theme is Thrill Rides. Tickets are on sale now. We have been selling out every month, so get your tickets in advance before they’re gone.
Photo by Randy Flaum
We hope to see you on April 23 at 7 pm at Zoetropolis for this month’s story slam. The theme is If Only.
Tickets are on sale now. Please visit our Tickets page to get yours.
Doors will open at 6:30 pm that evening, and we start telling stories at 7 pm.
What type of stories fit the theme If Only?
You were so close, so close, but then…If Only what happened then hadn’t happened right then, things would have been so different. Maybe in a good way, perhaps in not such a good way. Wistful dreams, thwarted ambition--If Only opens a new reality of what-ifs. How would your life, your career, your country, the world be different If Only… Maybe you would have laid down the most amazing Scrabble word ever If Only you had that one letter. Perhaps your life would have changed If Only you said yes, or If Only you had said no that one time. We don’t know where this theme will take Lancaster Story Slam storytellers and audience in April, but we do know it will reveal a palette of might-have-beens. Whether they are what-should-have-beens, we’ll have to consider.
However you interpret this month's theme, we look forward to hearing your true stories. If you have a story, sign in at the table in the back of the theater when you arrive.
Congratulations to Tim McGuinness and Jamie Beth, who tied to win our March story slam. The theme was Truth Be Told.
Tim (right) and Jamie Beth (left) are pictured here with LSS co-producer Tony Crocamo.
Our winners each took home a prized Lancaster Story Slam pint glass and will compete in our 2024 Grand Slam on December 3.
Our next story slam is April 23 and the theme is If Only... Tickets are on sale now. Our events have been selling out weeks in advance, so if you want to attend, get your tickets now.
Over the years, Lancaster Story Slam audience members and storytellers have asked us if we’d consider presenting a storytelling workshop, one that would help them get a story ready for the Story Slam stage. Well, we’re doing it—Lancaster Story Slam is offering its storytelling workshop: Stories - Where to Find Them, How to Tell Them.
We will host two sessions - May 7 and June 4, from 7-9 pm at West Art.
Conducted by JJ Sheffer and Tony Crocamo, producers of LSS, the workshop offers a proven and easy process for finding and preparing your stories as well as tips on how to deliver your stories for the greatest impact.
Registration is limited to 20 participants per class. The $20 ticket covers the cost of the room rental and supplies, with the remainder going to York and Lancaster Story Slams.
Photo by Randy Flaum
We hope to see you on March 26 at 7 pm at Zoetropolis for this month’s story slam. The theme is Truth Be Told.
Tickets are on sale now. Please visit our Tickets page to get yours.
Doors will open at 6:30 pm that evening, and we start telling stories at 7 pm.
What type of stories fit the theme Truth Be Told?
Truth be Told, honesty may be the best policy, but it isn’t always the first option taken. Misdirection, given or received, may lead to stories of surprise parties, anger, betrayal, practical jokes. And every so often revelations sneak up on us, we are surprised to find opinions once voiced are now silenced, beliefs once held, abandoned, understandings now misunderstood. Truth be told, we want to hear your stories of misdirection, revelations, reconsiderations involving thoughts, actions, events, with friends, family, co-workers, strangers, pets, or wildlife.
However you interpret this month's theme, we look forward to hearing your true stories. If you have a story, sign in at the table in the back of the theater when you arrive.
Congratulations to Cliff Lewis, who won our February story slam. The theme was Lost in Translation.
Cliff (right) is pictured here with with this month’s emcee, David Smith.
Cliff took home a prized Lancaster Story Slam pint glass and will compete in our 2024 Grand Slam on December 3.
Our next story slam is March 26 and the theme is Truth Be Told. Tickets are on sale now. We have been selling out every month, so get your tickets in advance before they’re gone.
Photo by Randy Flaum
We hope to see you on February 27 at 7 pm at Zoetropolis for this month’s story slam. The theme is Lost in Translation and David Smith will be our emcee for the evening.
Tickets are on sale now. Please visit our Tickets page to get yours.
Doors will open at 6:30 pm that evening, and we start telling stories at 7 pm.
What type of stories fit the theme Lost in Translation?
Misinterpretations can be the source of embarrassments, happy accidents, pain, suffering, confusion, and humor, in our relationships, at work, and during all our varied interactions with others throughout the day. What did you say or think you heard, that created a moment, a comment, a response that was Lost in Translation? Did you say yes to a question you didn’t fully understand and are now committed to a project, relationship, or responsibility you wanted out of? Were romantic expectations raised unintentionally by you, by another? Did you report to a job you hadn’t been hired for? Share the confusion, the humanity of what happens when what we say and hear are Lost in Translation at our February story slam.
However you interpret this month's theme, we look forward to hearing your true stories. If you have a story, sign in at the table in the back of the theater when you arrive.
Congratulations to Kelsey Kman and Kate Prisby, who tied to win our January story slam. The theme was Great Escapes.
Kelsey (right) and Kate (left) are pictured here with with 2023 Grand Slam champ and this month’s emcee, Marianne Sheely.
Both storytellers won a prized Lancaster Story Slam pint glass and will each compete in our 2024 Grand Slam on December 3.
Tickets are on sale now for our February 27 story slam. The theme is Lost in Translation, and David Smith will be our emcee. Tickets are on sale now. We have been selling out each month, so get your tickets in advance before they’re gone.
Photo by Randy Flaum
We hope to see you on January 23 at 7 pm at Zoetropolis for this month’s story slam. The theme is Great Escapes and our emcee for the evening will be our 2023 Grand Slam champ, Marianne Sheely.
Tickets are on sale now. Please visit our Tickets page to get yours.
Doors will open at 6:30 pm that evening, and we start telling stories at 7 pm.
What type of stories fit the theme Great Escapes?
We’re looking forward to hearing stories about near misses, disasters averted, or breaks from our usual routine that changed our perspective. Maybe rock climbing is your great escape, or stamp collecting? What activity, hobby, creative outlet, or spiritual practice is your great escape? What brought you to it, and what is it you are escaping? We can’t wait to find out at the first Lancaster Story Slam of 2024.
However you interpret this month's theme, we look forward to hearing your true stories. If you have a story, sign in at the table in the back of the theater when you arrive.
2023 Grand Slam champ Marianne Sheely (right) with LSS co-producer JJ Sheffer.
Marianne Sheely was the winner of our Twist of Fate-themed Grand Slam.
Thank you to everyone in our community who supported us this year - whether by being a storyteller, being in the audience, being a judge, or volunteering your time to help out at our events. Special thanks to our season sponsor Alex King of Caring Transitions of Lancaster.
The Grand Slam concludes our ninth season. We’ll be taking a break for December, but we’ll be back in 2024. Click here for our 2024 dates and themes.
It’s time for our 2023 Grand Slam! It will take place on Tuesday, November 28 at 7 pm at West Art Community Center.
Tickets are on sale now. They’re limited, so get yours while the gettin’s good.
The theme of the evening will be Twist of Fate, and our emcee will be Lancaster Story Slam founder and producer emeritus, Carla Wilson!
Our Grand Slam is the culminating event of the year where we bring back our monthly winners from this year to compete for the the title of "Best Storyteller in Lancaster," their name engraved on the Storytellers’ Cup, and a trophy to take home. Our finalists this year include:
Swapna Deshpande - January/Family Matters
Stephanie Eagleson and Jeremy Rubenstein - February/Are You Sure?
Marianne Sheely - March/Lost and Found
Steve McLean and Sib Nafziger Charles - April/Storm Clouds
Ashley Harbinson - May/Overqualified
Stephanie Kager - June/Easy Does It
Alison Kibler - July/FAQs
Beth Celley and David Ryan - August/Just Trying to Help
Tim McGuinness - September/Oops!
Doc Yoder - October/Potluck (open theme)
Here’s a playlist of all the winning stories from this season!
Congratulations to Doc Yoder, who won our October story slam. It was an open-theme slam.
Doc is pictured here with with this month’s emcee, Stephanie Eagleson.
Doc won a prized Lancaster Story Slam pint glass and the last spot in our 2024 Grand Slam in November.
Save the date for our Grand Slam on November 28 at West Art Community Center. We announced the theme at the end of the October event: Twist of Fate. Tickets are on sale now.
Join us at Columbia Crossing, in the pavilion overlooking the Susquehanna, for an evening of true stories about the great outdoors. We'll have featured storytellers and a few spots reserved for attendees to enter their name for a chance to tell a story.
This is not a competitive slam - no timer, bell, or scores.
This joint event is presented by Lancaster Story Slam and York Story Slam in partnership with Susquehanna National Heritage Area and Lancaster Conservancy. Proceeds will benefit all four partner organizations.
Photo by Randy Flaum
We hope to see you on October 24 at 7 pm at Zoetropolis for this month’s story slam. The theme is “Potluck,” which means there is no theme.
Tickets are on sale now. Please visit our Tickets page to get yours.
Doors will open at 6:30 pm that evening, and we start telling stories at 7 pm.
This slam is dedicated to all those members of our storytelling community who tell us that they will step up to the Lancaster Story Slam microphone, “When I have a story that fits the theme.” This is their night—there is no theme. Any true story, about five minutes long, told without notes, props, or music is perfect.
If you have a story, sign in at the table in the back of the theater when you arrive.
Congratulations to Tim McGuinness, who won our September story slam. The theme was Oops!
Tim is pictured here with with this month’s emcee, Beth Horenkamp.
Tim won a prized Lancaster Story Slam pint glass and will compete in our 2023 Grand Slam in November.
Tickets are on sale now for our October 24 story slam. It is an open theme (meaning there is no theme), and it’s our final open mic event before November’s Grand Slam. Tickets are on sale now. We have been selling out each month, so get your tickets in advance before they’re gone.
Photo by Randy Flaum
We hope to see you on September 26 at 7 pm at Zoetropolis for this month’s story slam. The theme is Oops!
Tickets are on sale now. Please visit our Tickets page to get yours.
Doors will open at 6:30 pm that evening, and we start telling stories at 7 pm.
What type of stories fit the theme Oops?
The wrong word said at the wrong time. The wrong gift given or received. Misunderstood intentions initiated and rebuffed. A wrong turn taken; a wedding ring not available at the ceremony; a risky investment made or an opportunity missed. Any phase of your life in which you made or were affected by an error will fit this topic.
However you interpret this month's theme, we look forward to hearing your true stories. If you have a story, sign in at the table in the back of the theater when you arrive.
It’s a tie! Congratulations to David Ryan (left) and Beth Celley (right), who won our August story slam. The theme was Just Trying to Help.
Our winners are pictured here with with LSS co-producer and this month’s emcee, Tony Crocamo.
David and Beth each won a prized Lancaster Story Slam pint glass and will compete in our 2023 Grand Slam in November.
Tickets are on sale now for our September 26 story slam. The theme is Oops! Tickets are on sale now. We have been selling out each month, so get your tickets in advance before they’re gone.
Photo by Randy Flaum
We hope to see you on August 22 at 7 pm at Zoetropolis for this month’s story slam. The theme is Just Trying to Help.
Tickets are on sale now. Please visit our Tickets page to get yours.
Doors will open at 6:30 pm that evening, and we start telling stories at 7 pm.
What type of stories fit the theme Just Trying to Help?
Good intentions are said to be the primary paving material to Hades. Have your attempts to help someone or something gone awry? Have attempts to help you turned out badly? Did the less-than-positive results make you question whether the would-be Samaritans really intended to help? As a child, did you ever sincerely, and perhaps secretly, attempt to help a parent or adult, only to create an urgent need for them to address a greater problem? It’s OK to tell us about it, you were just trying to help.
However you interpret this month's theme, we look forward to hearing your true stories. If you have a story, sign in at the table in the back of the theater when you arrive.
Congratulations to Alison Kibler, who won our July story slam. The theme was FAQs.
Alison is pictured here with this month’s emcee, David Smith.
Alison won a prized Lancaster Story Slam pint glass and will compete in our 2023 Grand Slam in November.
Tickets are going fast for our August 22 story slam. The theme is Just Trying to Help. Tickets are on sale now. We have been selling out each month, so get your tickets in advance before they’re gone.
Photo by Randy Flaum
We hope to see you on July 25 at 7 pm at Zoetropolis for this month’s story slam. The theme is FAQs.
Tickets are on sale now. Please visit our Tickets page to get yours.
Doors will open at 6:30 pm that evening, and we start telling stories at 7 pm.
What type of stories fit the theme FAQs?
Why is it never Frequently Answered Questions? The acronym would not change, but the alteration is never made—it’s Frequently Asked Questions every time. FAQs can come from parents, children, bosses, police, strangers, store clerks, grocers, mechanics, instructors, gurus, loved ones, and our inner voice. What are those questions? Why are they asked? And what are the answers?
However you interpret this month's theme, we look forward to hearing your true stories. If you have a story, sign in at the table in the back of the theater when you arrive.
