Road Less Traveled Productions, the local theatre company dedicated to developing and producing world premiere plays by local playwrights, announces a new ongoing series of special monthly events spotlighting local storytellers and celebrating the tradition of oral narrative. The series is titled Stories From The Road and will be hosted by RLTP Resident Playwright and co-founder Jon Elston. The schedule will debut on Wednesday, October 27, with Stories From The Road: Scary Stories, an evening of tales of the macabre that Elston says is "perfect for the Halloween season".
"Since RLTP is the playwright's theater," said Elston, "we felt it was a natural extension of our mission to also showcase other kinds of storytelling performance, besides only productions of theatrical dramas." RLTP's solution: an evening of storytelling that would spotlight Buffalonians from a myriad of backgrounds as they spin their favorite yarns. "We will hear stories from theatre professionals, sure..." said Elston. "But also poets and journalists and musicians, visual artists, and also Western New Yorkers who you wouldn't normally classify as ‘artists' or performers. Anyone who has a good story will get an opportunity to share it at Stories From The Road."
Elston promised that each installment of Stories From The Road would revolve around a general theme. "The theme of October 27's Scary Stories night speaks for itself," Elston said. Storytellers that evening will include award winning poet and actress Verneice Turner, beloved WNY performance artist Franklin LaVoie, and musician and artist Phill Freedenberg, among others. Elston mentioned that future installments of Stories From The Road would include theatre artists such as actor Gerry Maher and actress/playwright Kathleen Betsko-Yale as well as storytellers from more diverse backgrounds.
Elston also hinted that audience members attending Stories From The Road might be invited to participate in the storytelling fun: "Our vision for this program is an inclusive one... we're looking to not only present stories for the enjoyment of our patrons, but to encourage storytelling, as well."
"Radio programs like "The Moth" and "This American Life" have really promoted the art of longform storytelling to a broad mainstream audience," opined Elston. "Stories From The Road is RLTP's attempt to bring that same kind of high-quality narrative entertainment to the live theatre environment. This of it as "This Buffalonian Life"."
Stories From The Road will launch at 7:00PM on Wednesday, October 27, at the Road Less Traveled Theater inside The Market Arcade Film & Arts Centre. Admission is only $10 (cash/check only, no credit cards). A schedule of future Stories From The Road dates will become available online at www.roadlesstraveledproductions.org .
Road Less Traveled Productions (RLTP) is a professional theatre company dedicated to the development and production of new theatrical works by Western New York playwrights, as well as presentations of esteemed modern dramas of outstanding literary merit. RLTP is located in the Market Arcade Film & Arts Center in the theater district of downtown Buffalo. For ticketing information call 716-629-3069 or visit www.RoadLessTraveledProductions.org. RLTP's work is made possible through public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, a state agency.
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