by Erick McGinley
After a summer of smaller events, Ex Fabula’s kicked off their 2010-2011 season with an event at the Stonefly Brewing Company; the theme was “Confessions.” Stories and ultra shorts included confessions of lying, vandalism, sex and intimacy (and the lack of), embarrassment, nicknames, and even secret identities. As Adam Carr indicated in his story about his lifelong pattern of stress eating, everyone has something to confess. And while no one can argue that fact, it is something else entirely to stand in front of a microphone and a crowd of people to tell otherwise silent secrets.
Jean-Andrew boldly confessed her passion for dumpster diving, going on to explain that she works nights as a superhero saving raccoons. Following her, Bud Dom Bro confessed to the audience a very different passion related to animals in small places as he demonstrated how he traps and exterminates chipmunks. Rebecca Segal confessed that until the age of 10, she was convinced that Wyoming was a country in Asia. Cindy Grover told of her love of lying brought on by a trip to the Bahamas that stayed very economical due to her “storytelling” abilities. Later, Dasha Kelly told of how she found and lost athletic stardom as she moved from high school to college, regretting that she never asked for help when she needed it. Clyde Winter also shared regrets from a season spent in the Gulf of Alaska. After a fishing trip that nearly ended in tragedy, he realized he had never thanked the man responsible for saving his life.
Showcasing the storytelling form called “the Du0,” Dan Niederloh and Dana Lovrek brought us back through an evening they shared together as they were just meeting. Their story was innocent enough, even though Dan had set up their first evening out as a 15th Anniversary celebration at the Sybaris; also read, “sex motel.” Picked as audience award winner, Brooke Maroldi recounted how during her childhood, she earned a lifetime ban from the Lifesaver Pavilion at the New York World’s Fair. Later, as a film professional, Brooke worked for the Lifesavers company. To a boardroom of almost all older men, Brooke told them, “Guys…I have a confession.” Thankfully for her, they responded that the ban had been lifted.
If you’re looking for more Ex Fabula and storytelling fun, the next events are right around the corner. On Tuesday, November 9th, Ex Fabula returns to the Bay View Brewhaus for an event with the theme of “Neighbors”. Then on Thursday, November 11th, Ex Fabula will be at a Still Waters Collective event, the ninth “Verbatim: the Power of Speech.” For more information, see http://www.stillwaterscollective.com. See you in November!
[slideshow]
