Sept. 7

West Side Stories Petaluma believes that everyone has a story. Our goal? To give those stories a forum. After producing successful shows where stand-up comedians told their stories, former comic turned storyteller, Dave Pokorny sought to accommodate all those people who asked, “When can I tell my story?” And to encourage those people who doubted they had a story worth telling.

RULES

Stories are told, not read. We love how the storyteller connects with the audience when there is no PAGE between them! Please know your story “by heart” but not by rote memorization. No notes, paper or cheat sheets allowed on stage.

No standup routines please. West Side Stories loves funny people but requires that all funny people tell funny stories.

No rants. Take up this anger issue with your therapist, or skip therapy and shape your anger into a story with some sort of resolution. (Stories = therapy!)

No essays. Your eloquent musings are beautiful and look pretty on the page but unless you can make them gripping and set up stakes, they won’t work on stage.

No fake accents. If your story doesn't work in your own voice, or that of your people of origin, please consider another story. In our experience, imitating accents from another culture or race rarely works and often offends.

Please use our stage to practice civility and respect.

Please don't include racism, homophobia, misogyny or any form of hate speech.