This 2023 Community Arts Grant – supported by funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, Statewide Community Regrants Program (formerly the Decentralization program) with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature, and administered by Flushing Town Hall provides support to Queens-based community organizations, groups, and collectives to hold arts and cultural projects or activities for the public in Queens
For our May 18th show ($10 tickets here!), we dove into the GAHS archives and, with storyteller Rosalie Chandler, created four Queens “Here & Gone” Highlights.
Astoria-based artist, Yelena Tylkina, illustrated the highlights in the gorgeous artwork above. More about Yelena here.
I incorporated the artwork and highlights into a generative workshop where our storytellers engaged with Queens history to inspire their true tales.
Get in on the Queens “Here & Gone” fun! Visit noyoutellit.com to learn about:
No, YOU Tell It! is a treasure of a show. You have to witness it to really get how special it is. Kelly Jean Fitzsimmons assembled a team that puts so much heart and soul into guiding storytellers of different ages, races, genders, and backgrounds to swap stories, so that the performers are in each other’s shoes, as the saying goes. The result is hilarious and heartwarming, but also, such a profound experiment in fostering empathy. Everyone in the room, storytellers, show producers, and audience members, have an unforgettably moving evening of entertainment together, and that special sort of connecting of people going on in the show really is something to be cherished.
Story partners Kevin Allison and Najah Imani Muhammad. Photo credit: Russ Rowland
What an incredible night at Symphony Space last week! We’re still on Cloud 9 and couldn’t be more grateful to everyone who made the night a success by attending in person, via the livestream, and/or donating. Check out more “College Try” photos on Facebook or Instagram.
Hey, while you’re there, why not LIKE or FOLLOW?
Special shout out to all who helped us provide free student tickets to high school juniors. We had a wonderful pre-show college essay jumpstart workshop, and the students loved the show!!
Plus, we raised $500 during our story trivia in support of Bottom Line.
Have or know students starting the college application process? Entertainers and educators trading true tales is an excellent way to encourage students to think about the story they want to tell with their college essays.
Students attending our “College Try” show at Symphony Space can sign up for a pre-show workshop to jumpstart ideas for a college essay that opens a window into their unique character for admissions officers.
Contact noyoutellit@gmail.com for more info and to register. Ask me about our discount code for student tickets!
I’m also teaching a pre-show college essay jumpstart workshop open to any student attending the show, and we might have a discount code … email noyoutellit@gmail.com for more.
Interested in having me come to your school for a talkback session or college essay workshops after the show? I’d love to set up a time to chat.
The night features Kevin Allison (RISK!), Brett Felder (College Board), Dion Flynn (The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon), and Najah Imani Muhammad (Leaders by Choice).
Entertainers and educators have developed true tales inspired by the theme “College Try” on the page. Watch as they swap stories to embody each other’s culture, identity, and life experience on stage. This illustration of the power of personal narrative is a marvelous way to get high school students thinking about the story they want to tell with their college application essays.
Plus, students can sign up for a pre-show workshop with producers and college essay writing instructors Kelly Jean Fitzsimmons and Tim Lindner to jumpstart a college essay that will wow admissions officers. Space is limited! Contact noyoutellit@gmail.com for more info and to register.
Follow @noyoutellit on Instagram for updates and to learn more about our storytellers and creative team.
Big news! I’m proud to announce that I’ve been working hard on publishing a No, YOU Tell It! ten-year anthology collection with Palm Circle Press. In this anthology, you’ll find several stories from the past decade along with behind-the-scenes insights from storytellers and the NYTI creative team.
Coming in September! Stay tuned for more information!
MAY marks the official 10-year anniversary of No, YOU Tell IT! and my birthday month! Give a listen to our very first show from May 2012 available on Audioboom, or on your preferred podcasting platform.
What does your tax-deductible donation support? So happy you asked!
$25 helps provide literary prizes for story trivia at the live shows in support of local authors and independent bookstores.
$50 goes toward administrative fees, such as our Field membership and hosting costs for our website and podcast.
$100 supports the storytellers who commit hours of their time to two story development meetings and a theatrical rehearsal prior to the live show.
$300 secures experienced story coaches and directors who support our storytellers from page to stage.
$500 enables us to provide a professional live stream of the event to broadcast this unique event to an even larger audience. See what this looks like in the video below!
What separates our series is the collaborative time put into each show. This extensive workshop process is a blessing, but the time commitment can also be a challenge for participants and the creative team.
Therefore, as we strive toward a new decade of No, YOU Tell It!, we are dedicated to compensating all of the artists involved. Any size donation is greatly appreciated and goes to the artists.
Don’t have the funds right now? Support our series with a FB like or Insta follow and share our podcast on your favorite socials.
Thank you to all who have been a part of a wonderful 10 years!
No, YOU Tell It! (noyoutellit.com) advocates for authentic personal stories by having storytellers trade true tales to speak each other’s words aloud, empowering voices on the page and stage.
Curious what that looks like? WATCH our recent “What I Know” show in celebration of Women’s History Month.
ONE WEEK! No, YOU Tell It! is back at Culture Lab, LIC. Help us celebrate Women’s History Month with these four storytellers swapping true tales inspired by the theme “What I Know.”
