CAMPUS SLAMMER

2012 Campus Slammer Season

2012-02-04T16:33:00.000-05:00

Story Slams held as an inter-collegiate activity across Connecticut sound like fun?

Get your college signed up right away , you need a date and a space and then look over the "how to" at www.connstorycenter.org .

We are going to help, a member of the CT. Storytelling Community will come to your slam to help you. The top two will move on to the finals April 28 at the CT. Storytelling Festival.

                                                              Got Questions?

I have answers, email producer Carolyn Stearns   at campusslammer@gmail.com

We have some great prizes this year soon I will be announcing them. Follow or subscribe to get all the info delivered as soon as we know it!

The Campus Slammer Showcase Mic

2011-05-08T21:34:00.000-04:00

Liz deLise 2 nd place in the Campus Slammer Finals

The Showcase Mic April 30, 2011 at 9:30 p.m.was an opportunity to highlight the Campus Slammer in front of the audience gathered at the CT. Storytelling Festival. http://www.connstorycenter.org/

Storyteller Miss Celia Whitehead committee member and Conn College student

It was set up to showcase the winner of Campus Slammer and two runners up. It is difficult though to have the event just as exams and many year end activities commence in the college world. We were able to hear the story of one of our runners up and another Conn College contestant and committee member. Then we had the open slots for anyone who wanted to tell a five minute story Ten people put their name in and shared stories along with our college tellers.

Jim Harriman

Lauren Mendoza

Audrey Daigenault

Ralph Chadis

Fortune Hall filled for the Showcase Mic of Campus Slammer

This year Campus Slammer traveled to 6 college campus locations.We heard so many excellent student stories and culminated in the finals at Conn College April 28, 2011. The showcase mic was our chance to share and celebrate Campus Slammer with the storytelling community it was a night rich in story, laughter, drama and fun!
I want to thank everyone who helped get Campus Slammer up and running this year.
The Board of Directors Connecticut Storytelling Center
The list of storytellers who donated CD's as prizes
Al l the Campus Liasons
Our Friends at massmouth
Sew on and Sew Forth
Karen Paro graphics
Our Judges at all 7 locations!
WILI 1400 radio - Wayne Norman
and my friend Kelly Trueb who was right there all the way through it to help out with whatever I needed! Thanks

Kelly Trueb

The Finals of Campus Slammer, and the Winner Is...

2011-04-29T00:47:00.000-04:00

and the Winner Is.........

The Ct. Storytelling Center is proud to announce the 2011 Campus Slammer winner Andrew Greaves of Connecticut College.

Andrew Greaves Winner 2011 Campus Slammer

The Runners up in the 2011 Campus Slammer Inter-Collegiate Story Slam are:

#2 Liz deLise of Connecticut College (rt)
#3 Dina Addorisio of the University of Connecticut (l)

Congratulations!

They were invited back to the showcase mic on Saturday night at 9:30 in Fortune Hall , Cummings Art Center during the Connecticut Storytelling Festival!

Spirits were high as the winners were annnounced and all the photos were taken to commemorate this very first Campus Slammer.

Story Slams are a contest on delivery of a 5 minute original story. All these students particpated on their home campus and earned a spot at Campus Slammer Finals. The night had many parts that made it a success, A huge Thank -You to the judges that came out.

( left -right)

Christine Rothe - Storyteller, Wayne Norman WILI 1400 AM Radio and Uconn Husky basketball commentator,

Julie Donovan- college student ( not a particpating college), Rosemarie Roberts Connecticut College Professor, Matthew McCaffrey- Interim UCC minister and Pres. of the Middletown Chorale.

Part of Our wonderful Campus Slammer Audience

It was an exciting time!

A round of applause for our emcee'ss tonight! Amanda Hiles and Greg Manizza from University of Hartford.

A thank You to Celia Whitehead of Conn College for committee work and timing the slam

A thank You to Kelly Trueb who has been scorer at many of the Campus Slammers

A thank you to all who donated toward the prize bags they recieved.

Stylin the prize bags

All the contestants took home a prize bag which included the Campus Slammer T-Shirts donated by:
Science Engineering Assoc. Of Mansfield Center, CT. and Vicky Wetherell of Storrs, CT. and made by Sew On and Sew Forth of Franklin, CT.

  Check back next week for more on the wrap up from Campus Slammer and the donors whose prizes filled the bags. There will also be a report on the Showcase Mic Saturday Evening Fortune Hall , Cummings Art Center Conn. College. New London, CT.

Thursday is Campus Slammer Finals!

2011-04-26T23:04:00.000-04:00

Campus Slammer Finals!

This Thursday April 28, 2011 7:30 p.m. at the Ernst Room in Blaustein Hall Connecticut College the finalists from 6 campuses converge for a show down in 5 minute stories!

Through this door will pass the finalists of 6 Campus Slammers... only one will leave the victor, from which campus will the wordsmith hail? Come to find out. 7:30 Conn, College, New London, an easy after work drive and free evening entertainment!

Who will be the first ever winner of Campus Slammer? To return with 2 runners up for the Big SHOWCASE MIC at Connecticut Storytelling Festival & Conference http://www.connstorycenter.org/ Saturday April 30 at 9:30 p.m.?

Eastern, Western, Uconn, U-Hartford, Wesleyan, Conn College

Campus Slammer Break Out of 5 Minute Stories

Visitors Welcome!

Western CT State Univ. - Campus Slammer West of the River

2011-04-23T14:19:00.001-04:00

Campus Slammer travelled west of the CT River last night to slam some stories on the Western CT State University Campus. WCSU is the final college to host a local Campus Slammer in the 2011 season.

We are less than a week away from the CAMPUS SLAMMER FINALS at Conn College April 28, 2011 7:30 p.m. in the Ernst Room of Blaustein Hall finalists please confirm attendance at csc@conncoll.edu

Now the results from WCSU Campus Slammer

There were 5 brave souls who tried a slam story before the musical open mic event kicked off. Our first contestant had a very nice rhyming poem about life. Second up was a well written love story. Our only male competitor told us the humorous story of how he got his name and how his father was punished for it. Then we heard about a mysterious phone number on a dining hall napkin. The evening finished with 3 quick family stories.

Ricky, Jazmyn, Diana, Sara, Jenna

The crowd, most of whom were there for the open mic, seemed to really enjoy the change up of a spoken word opening. Our winner is unable to attend the finals so our 3rd place finisher will represent. Congratulations to all the contestants. Our winners are Jenna and Sara. We'll see Sara and Ricky at the finals.

Campus Slammer is a program of the Connecticut Storytelling Center http://www.connstorycenter.org/

The Clock is Ticking to Campus Slammer FInals

2011-04-20T22:19:00.001-04:00

Yes! It is almost time for the Finals of Campus Slammer!
April 28, 2011 7:30 p.m.

Are you ready with your five minute story. We are planning a great night and need each of our finalists to come give it their best shot! 6 Campus Slammer prelims are sending the field of 12 competitors to the finals.

Finalists:
Everyone will get their chance to tell.
Everyone will get a prize pack!
Everyone will get refreshments!
Everyone will get a Campus Slammer Logo T-Shirt just for coming and participating!

                                                        You will look great in these shirts!

If you haven't confirmed with the CT. Storytelling Center I am asking you to do that A.S.A.P. csc@conncoll.edu
860-439-2764    just let them know you remembered and will be there!

Need Mapquest? The address is: 270 Mohegan Ave. New London, CT. 06320 Connecticut College Blaustein Bldg. Ernst Room
Be there for 7 p.m.

Now invite all your peeps to follow you down to the Finals of Campus Slammer! We need a cheering section for each college! Hey, it's free and there is food and great stories!

Who will win 2011 Campus Slammer? Conn College? Eastern CT. State University? Western CT. State University? University of Hartford? Uconn? Wesleyan? time will tell..........

PLEASE SHARE THIS TO SPREAD THE WORD SO ALL THE CONTESTANTS AND A GOOD CROWD OF SUPPORT COME!

Did you find the FACE BOOK event page? Check it out, just type Campus Slammer in the search bar

The Finals Are Coming; Campus Slammer

2011-04-11T16:30:00.000-04:00

Slam down that winning story at the finals of Campus Slammer!

Calling all finalists from the 6 participating colleges. Bring that story you won the local accolades with to the finals at Conn Colllege on April 28 at 7 p.m.

Which college will take home the 2011 top honors?

Uconn? U-Hartford? Wesleyan U. ? Conn. College? ECSU? WCSU?

We look forward to hosting all the Campus Slammer finalists and hope you plan to bring a crowd from your home campus to cheer you on.  Conn College is an easy drive from all the competing colleges, so fill the car or campus van pool and come on out! Blaustein Hall is picturesquely situated at the top of the quadrangle on the Conn. College campus, with a beautiful view out over Long Island Sound.

Questions? http://www.connstorycenter.org/

Western Connecticut State University Joins Campus Slammer

2011-04-08T09:14:00.000-04:00

Thursday April 21, 2011 the Campus Slammer comes to WCSU. The regularly scheduled Midtown Coffeehouse open mic night will have the added fun of Campus Slammer. Students can bring their own 5 minute story and share it in a fun competition. When the scoring is done the two finalists will be chosen to move on then to Campus Slammer Finals at Conn College on April 28 at 7 p.m. Here is a sample of story to show you what was doing in Boston's massmouth slams. http://www.massmouth.org/ Michael Anederson took second with this tale in 2010. Come on out and try story slam! Campus Slammer WCSU!

Details on Campus Slammer at: http://www.connstorycenter.org/

Campus Slammer Wesleyan 2011

2011-04-01T21:05:00.000-04:00

One coffee shop
5 judges
7 story slammers
1 timer
1 large batch story listeners
2 finalists

That is the recipe for a great night of Campus Slammer Story Slam at Wesleyan March 31, 2011.

As things were organized everyone ordered their favorite hot drink and settled in to hear stories on the theme: Winners and Losers! Thanks to their on-campus radio station for coming out and recording the stories to air on their show Speak Your Piece.
Look for scheduling at http://www.speakyourpiecewesu.wordpress.com/

Winners and Losers in the stories came from every where but among the tellers we had a field of all winners, they all did an awesome job and the scores were close and broken by adherence to the time requirement. Way to go - Victor, Paul, Chris, Lindsey, Charlotte, Taylor, Jake and Hannah!

Thanks to the Espwesso Coffee Shop for sharing their space and trying to make coffee quietly while our story slam was in progress. They were a warm oasis on a cold wintry night. Many thanks to campus coordinator Lindsey Abrams.

Two finalists were selected to represent Wesleyan at the Finals April 28, 2011 7 p.m. at Conn College in New London. Taylor Goodstein and Paul Pianta, Congratulations! Your stories were fun and entertaining for us all. We look forward to seeing you and a strong support team from Wesleyan at the finals.

The overall winner from the Finals of Campus Slammer will return with 2 runners up to anchor a Showcase Mic on Saturday April 30, 2011 at the Connecticut Storytelling Festival, http://www.connstorycenter.org/ The Showcase mic will follow the main storytelling concert. Seven other people interested in sharing a slam story will have an opportunity to tell that evening with our winners.

And The Winners Are ...ECSU Campus Slammer

2011-03-29T23:51:00.000-04:00

Seven bold students took their place on the stage at Eastern CT. State University Tuesday night March 29 in the first ever ECSU Campus Slammer. Competition started to heat up as the stories were told of a candle toasting kitty then a story rapped out about lovers compared to swans and sharks. There were Twilight moments, one story triggered by another. There were birthdays and sad days and open laughter. Thanks to Keith Cummings, Steven Engborg, Katie Morous, Sarah Mooney, Peter Berry, Jim Shannon and

Jennifer Henries for sharing their story.

And The Winners Are..........

Jennifer Henries and Jim Shannon

Jennifer and Jim will represent ECSU at the finals April 28 at Conn College

Audience settles in as Media Services set up to video tape the performance of Campus Slammer.

The Campus Slammer is sponsored by the Connecticut Storytelling Center http://www.connstorycenter.org/ You can get all the information on the Finals and Showcase Mic on their website. Storyteller and ECSU Professor Raouf Mama was our on campus liaison. We appreciate his working to bring Campus Slammer to Eastern in 2011.

At the finals April 28, 2 winners from each campus will face off in a final story slam of the season and we will have a Overall winner and 2 runners up announced. Those three will return on April 30 to be part of the Showcase Mic at the CT. Storytelling Festival. Good Luck to Jennifer and Jim!

Next slam is Thursday March 31 at Wesleyan Coffee House 9 p.m.

ECSU Campus Slammer March 29, 2011

2011-03-28T23:03:00.000-04:00

Eastern Connecticut State University Hosts Campus Slammer

March 29, 2011 at 7 p.m. ECSU will host its very first Campus Slammer. The Campus Slammer is a competition of 5 minute stories on a theme. Tellers are scored on arc of story, connection to theme, delivery and timing. The top two scorers will go on to the finals at Conn College April 28, 2011 at 7 p.m.

Eastern's Webb Hall Rm. 110 is the site for the ECSU Campus Slammer with a theme HUMOR you will be sure to enjoy the stories shared! Everyone is welcome to come and listen and cheer on your favorite teller.

Plan to come to the finals and show your support to your favorite teller or college. April 28, 2011 at Conn College.

The Campus Slammer is sponsored by the Connecticut Storytelling Center and our campus liason is Storyteller Raouf Mama. http://www.connstorycenter.org/

Presentation Tips- Personal Story

2011-03-24T22:04:00.000-04:00

Telling a Personal Story

Presentation Tips on a personal story from Nancy Duarte in this short video clip. There are some very useful tips as you prepare for a Campus Slammer or the Campus Slammer finals.

Upcoming Dates:
March 29,2011 Eastern CT. State University Webb Hall Rm 110 7 p.m. theme Humor

March 31, 2011 Wesleyan University Middletown CT. Coffee house 7 p.m.

Finals Conn College 7 p.m. April 28, 2011 Ernst Rm Blaustein Hall

Showcase Mic winner and two runners up April 30 9:30 p.m. ( after feature concert) CT. Storytelling Festival Conn College New London, CT.

more info: http://www.connstorycenter.org/

Campus Slammer Story Slam

2011-03-18T12:18:00.000-04:00

Block out some time on the calendar to attend Campus Slammer
March 29 at ECSU Webb Hall Rm. 110 7 p.m.
Mar 31 at Wesleyan's Coffee House 7 p.m.

drop your name in the hat to be picked to sharea 5 minute story
save April 28 to attend finals
save April 30 to attend showcase mic

Get an Idea for a 5 minutes story
Eastern's Theme is Humor!

Release your story at Campus Slammer

All the details can be found at http://www.connstorycenter.org/ what are you waiting for? Campus Slammer 2011

First inter-collegiate story slam you don't want to miss being a part of this scene!

Finalists T-Shirts and Prizes

2011-03-15T15:34:00.000-04:00

If you are a Campus Slammer finalist one of these T-Shirts will be yours at the Finals!

Were you one who shared 5 minutes of storytelling?

The folks at Sew on and Sew Forth, Franklin CT. are busy making them for you.

There will be other prizes for all finalists, be sure to mark your calendar and bring your cheerleaders to applaud as you represent your campus in Campus Slammer April 28, 2011 7 p.m. Conn College

Ernst Room Blaustein Hall

need to see the details? http://www.connstorycenter.org/

The Campus Slammer Winner and 2 runners up will be featured at a Showcase Mic Sat April 30, 2011 at the CT. Storytelling Festival Conn. College New London CT. Following the TIm Tingle Choctaw Native American Storyteller in Concert. All participants have their free tickets! See you in New London!

University of Hartford Campus Slammer WOW!

2011-03-13T01:19:00.000-05:00

What did you think of a slamming night at University of Hartford? A pictures worth a thousand words and these are not enough to do justice to the fun Campus Slammer March 10 in Auerbach Aud. at Hillyer Hall! Feedback tellers? Don't forget to save the date April 28 for the finals and April 30 for the Showcase mic, come support your U-Hartford finalists. Bring a van load - bring a bus! All the details at http://www.connstorycenter.org/

Storytellers at Campus Slammer University of Hartford 2011

High ad low scores thrown out the middle three averaged for a final score built suspense

Our judges for the evening

Awesome Emcee duo Amanda Hiles & Greg Manizza

college level Rock Paper Scissors out finalists vie for a pen!

University of Hartford in 60 Seconds & Host of Campus Slammer

2011-03-09T13:54:00.000-05:00

The video is a 60 second introduction to the University of Hartford. Campus Slammer is a 5 minute introduction to a teller through their story. Come out and get to know a few Campus Slammers as they ( and maybe you) vie for the top honors of Campus Slammer U-Hartford 2011. The top two will move on to the finals at Conn College on April 28.

University of Hartford Campus Slammer Thursday March 10, 2011 at 8 p.m. Auerbach Auditorium in Hillyer Hall.

Not sure what a story slam is? Have you seen the Moth from New York City live or on You -Tube, how about Massmouth from Boston? They are slams. People get up and tell a 5 minute story in competition. It's all fun as we try to use our words to convey the images of our personal stories. All the details and guidelines are on the website http://www.connstorycenter.org/ We have this blog to help share info too.

All participants get a ticket to the Saturday night April 30th concert at the Connecticut Storytelling Festival!

All the Finalists will receive a prize pack! to be presented at the finals April 28 7 p.m. a Conn College.

The top winner and two runners up come back for a showcase mic Sat April 30 at Connecticut Storytelling festival! 7 other tellers will share the stage for a full show of slamming stories!

The top winner will get a special additional prize!

Come on Hawks Come out and tell a story on Thursday Night share this with any Hawks you might know!

Conn College Campus Slammer Success!

2011-03-07T22:32:00.000-05:00

That's right the Connecticut College Campus Slammer is history and was a very successful evening! A nice crowd came out to try story slam and we heard some great stories. The location in a campus run coffee shop called "Coffee Grounds" was perfect.

The twinkle lights, artwork, comfortable seating and improv between stories made for a nice mix of entertainment. The theme Forever Young gave us everything from Tootsie Rolls to airports with knives in the stories. Congratulations to our top two contestants from Campus Slammer Connecticut College! First place to Andrew Greaves and Second place to Liz deLise. Andrew and Liz will now move on to The finals April 28 th at Conn College and share the stories in the next round. Good Luck to them both. More info on the finals at http://www.connstorycenter.org/

Celia Whitehead (far left) was Emcee for the event and on the Campus Slammer Committee

Later this week ( Thurs March 10 ) University of Hartford will hold their Campus Slammer more on that in the next blog to be posted Wed. Click follow to get it delivered right to your inbox and be up to date on what is happening in Campus Slammer. There are still 5 colleges left to compete before the end of the month.

Connecticut College /Campus Slammer

2011-02-28T22:35:00.000-05:00

You heard about Campus Slammer at Uconn, next college is Connecticut College in New London!

Saturday March 5, 2011 at 7 p.m.

The student run " Coffee Grounds" will be host Campus Slammer on the theme: Forever Young! Got a 5min

story Campus Slammer wants you. http://www.connstorycenter.org/ for details

WILI 1400 am Radio Personal Wayne Norman will be one of the judges at the finals.Same location on Thurs April 28. Bring your 5 minute story!

Tickets, Get Your Tickets

2011-02-24T21:08:00.000-05:00

Tickets, Get Your Tickets

Sorry not Willy Wonka's Golden Ticket but a trip to pure imagination none the less. With this special CT. Storytelling Festival ticket you get for particpating in Campus Slammer you can come to the Saturday night main performance featuring Tim Tingle. The Choctaw Native American Storyteller will enertain us all with his tales. www.connstorycenter.org/festival

After the Tim Tingle Concert stay awhile and join us for the showcase mic featuring the 3 top tellers from the Campus Slammer finals and put your name in the hat seven others will slam a five minute story!
http://www.timtingle.com/

So get your tickets while they're hot! One slam is over six more chances, next week it is Campus Slammer at Connecticut College, New London, CT. You can come to "Coffee Grounds" ( across from the student center) to join us at 7 p.m. The theme for the five minute stories will be " Forever Young".

Coffee Grounds Student run coffee house scene for Campus Slammer

Campus Slammer/Conn College

Marh 4, 2011 7 p.m.

Theme:

"Forever Young"

Uconn Hosts Campus Slammer Success

2011-02-22T23:40:00.000-05:00

Campus Slammer at Uconn was a success. To present a 5 minute story on the theme "Bad Romance" proved to be no challenge to our new storytellers. Seven took the mic and presented their story to the audience and judges. A little school pride for the Uconn crew to be the very first campus to host a Campus Slammer. They have set the bar high for the six colleges that follow. Everything ran like clockwork, the group from host organization Long River Live did an admirable job in coordinating all the aspects.

The top two contestants from Uconn/Campus Slammer will move on to the Finals on April 28, 2011 at 7 p.m. at Conn. College in New London. There the stakes are higher as 2 finalists from each of the seven colleges come together. I hope they plan to bring friends to root for their success and celebrate their efforts. At the finals prize packs will be awarded to all 14 finalists to include CD's, T-Shirts, fun campus stuff and some techie prizes for the top finisher. All this will take place in Blaustein Hall's Ernst Room at Connecticut College. ( top of the quadrangle) Coffee and snacks will be provided for a coffee house atmosphere at the finals as we listen and judge the top 14 stories.

Uconn will be well represented at the finals by second place finisher Anna Victoria (2nd from Rt) and first place finisher Dina Addorisio ( third from left) They each will receive a Campus Slammer t-shirt along with their prize bag. All the contestants received a pass to the CT. Storytelling Festival Saturday Night Concert featuring Tim Tingle Choctaw Native American Storyteller from Oklahoma. More info on the concert at http://www.connstorycenter.org/

The ladies will represent Uconn at New London in the finals. Here is a picture from the Uconn Campus Slammer just before the first contestant took the mic.

Students and Staff made up the distinguished panel of judges for Uconn Campus Slammer

The first judge for the finals is secured so when Dina and Anna come to Conn College April 28 th Wayne Norman of WILI Radio 1400 AM will be on the panel of judges.

All tallied and finished I am very happy to say that the Uconn Campus Slammer was a huge success. We look forward to future collaborations and continued sharing of energy and ideas. See you at the finals Uconn!

UConn Pep Rally - "Go UConn" Campus Slammer Feb 21

2011-02-20T14:19:00.000-05:00

The Pep Band pumps us all up for Campus Slammer! Monday Feb 21, 2011 at 7 p.m. Hey!, That's tomorrow! So plan to come over to the clas building rm. 217 at 7 p.m. ( Glenbrook Dr) and put you name in to slam a 5 minute story toward prizes, tickets and a trip to the finals April 28, 2011 and the showcase mic on April 30, 2011 at the CT. Storytelling Festival.

The theme for the Uconn Campus Slammer is " Bad Romance" entwine that into your story and share it. Campus Slammer is being hosted by Long River Live at their usual place and time in the Stern Lounge, second floor of the Language Arts building.   Like New York cities Moth or Boston's Massmouth, Campus Slammer will be sharing individuals stories in a competitive format for fun and prizes.

The top two for the night will move on to the finals at Connecticut College to represent Uconn in the 7 college head to head slam. This is our first year with the Connecticut Storytelling Center ( http://www.connstorycenter.org/ ) sponsoring Campus Slammer. The seven colleges participating are; Uconn, Eastern CT. State U., Western CT. State U., Trinity, Connecticut College, University of Hartford and Wesleyan.

Subscribe to the blog to get follow up on who will represent UConn at the finals. Find all the details of the competitions at http://www.connstorycenter.org/

If you are in the greater Uconn / Eastern listening area tune in WILI 1400 AM on Monday morning starting at 7 a.m. for Wake Up With Wayne Norman. Guest on Monday morning is Carolyn Stearns from the CT. Storytelling Center promoting the Campus Slammer.

We don't really need a Pep Rally and Pep Band to share how excited we are that the first Campus Slammer will be tomorrow at Long River Live. Listen in on WILI and come out at 7 p.m. to slam down your 5 minutes story!
                                               Go Uconn!

A CT Yankee In King Arthur's Court/Campus Slammer

2011-02-17T08:25:00.000-05:00

Connecticut has Always Been Known For Great Stories

The tradition of great stories is alive and well on 7 Connecticut campuses. That's right, Campus Slammer brings fresh stories to the listeners of Connecticut. Starting Monday night Campus Slammer will be on a college campus near you! Check it out at: www.connstorycenter.org/campusslammer

In Mark Twain's neighborhood hear them at Trinity College and University of Hartford Campus Slammer contestants will slam 5 minute stories for 2 winners each. The campus winners go on to the finals at Conn College April 28 at 7 p.m..

It will be anything but the "Quiet Corner" when Uconn and ECSU host the Campus Slammer. 5 minutes stories will pit college wordsmith one for another 2 from each securing a place at the finals.

WCSU and Wesleyan along with Connecticut College will host their slams and give us the final 14 slammers to appear at Conn College in the finals of Campus Slammer. Which Campus will have the honor of saying:

We Won Campus Slammer 2011?

Aerial Tour of Connecticut College

2011-02-15T06:48:00.002-05:00

Take an Aerial Tour Over Connecticut College - Host of the Campus Slammer Finals

April 28,2011 at 7 p.m. Blaustein Hall in the Ernst room we will hold the finals of the Campus Slammer. Each of our 7 participating colleges will send their top two representatives to compete in this slam. It will be an all out battle of words, wit, poise, sarcasm and smooth delivery for the top honors as Connecticut Storytelling Festival's Champion Campus Slammer. Which University will take home the 2011 honors?

Site of the Campus Slammer Finals

The Campus Slammer competitors bring their five minute story to the local slam and return to the finals if they are scored first or second on their home campus. I hope they bring a cheering section college events are known for. Scoring will be like the Olympics based on a ten point scale. The high and low score will be displayed and thrown out. The middle three scores averaged for a final winner of Campus Slammer.

The Door of Blaustein Hall

One winner and two runners up will exit Blaustein Hall on April 28th. They will return on April 30th to represent the Campus Slammer as the featured tellers in a Showcase Mic following the main Saturday evening performance.

Storyteller Tony Toledo shows us the stage for the showcase mic

All the details for the Campus Slammer competition can be found at:
www.connstorycenter.org

Got a Sense of HUMOR?

2011-02-11T21:25:00.000-05:00

Eastern CT. State University announces its Campus Slammer Theme.......HUMOR!

Exercise those laugh lines and come share a fun filled 5 minute story.

Coming in March to the campus community. ( we await confirmation on space available)

email to join the committee or be on the weblist for updates:

Dr. Raouf Mama                  mama@easternct.edu        campus liason
Carolyn Stearns                    mothermoo2001@yahoo.com    Conn Story Center liason

All the guidelines:                http://www.connstorycenter.org/

Unlock The Power of Story....Why Bother?

2011-02-09T15:23:00.000-05:00

       Why bother to unlock the power of story in your life?

You may use story as a literacy tool in a classroom. It might just be that healing through and with story will help you help yourself or someone else. Possibly story in the corporate world as we saw with Super Bowl commercials will be the way you unlock the power of story. To entertain your kids one day you can use the power of story, it is for everyone.

One classroom exemplifies these powers watch the video clip and see the universal power of story unfold in Japan.

                     http://www.wimp.com/homeroomteacher/

Think about your story, what do you have locked up? Are you ready to share it? Campus Slammer is the place, at Trinity, Wesleyan, Western CT., Uconn, Eastern Ct.,Conn College and U-Hartford. Resources for Campus Slammer at:

                                 http://www.connstorycenter.org/

Storytelling Techniques: 9 Storytelling Tips for Storytelling Anywhere.

2011-02-06T08:37:00.000-05:00

Sean Buvala shares some simple storytelling tips to help you generate a Campus Slammer story. If you want to get a jump on the competition look these over and watch some of the sample stories in previous and upcoming posts.

We all know a little coaching takes the team to the top. So who will prevail when the colleges of Connecticut pit their best wordsmiths one for another?

Storytelling Techniques: 9 Storytelling Tips for Storytelling Anywhere.

Your words and story were never meant to be locked up inside you, bring them to the Campus Slammer

For more tips, samples, info and details subscribe or follow the Campus Slammer. All the Guidelines, rules and dates for storytelling in the Campus Slammer are posted at http://www.connstorycenter.org/ ( some dates TBA )

Teaching Storytelling

2011-02-04T20:49:00.000-05:00

     As Dr. Seuss said, ! "Oh the places you will go." Where you go, story goes with you.  Right now on 7 CT. college campuses preparations are underway for Campus Slammer. A 5 minute story shared in competition. 2 finalists from each campus to move on to the final round at Conn. College ( April 28) from there a winner will be chosen and accompanied by two runners up they will take the feature spots in a showcase mic at the CT.Storytelling Festival. http://www.connstorycenter.org/ (April 30)

     After Campus Slammer you will find so many places where storytelling fits every lifestyle. See in the video how becoming a classroom teacher, youth group leader or a parent, storytelling can be used. We will look at other uses of storytelling in future blogs, be sure to subscribe or check back.

Details for the upcoming Campus Slammer events are all on the website http://www.connstorycenter.org/

Get Ready!! Wesleyan, Western, Eastern, Uconn, Trinity, U-Hartford, Conn. College. Campus Slammer is coming to your school!

Ingrid Wiese-"Brotherly Love" Story Slam Winner

2011-02-02T21:35:00.000-05:00

When you listen to this story, you will see the power of storytelling in healing. You will see the power of storytelling in families, you will see the power of story.

Harness the power for yourself and come to one of the venues of Campus Slammer. Subscribe to the blog to keep all the updates coming to your inbox.
              Dates set
                            Feb 21, 2010 Uconn Campus Slammer
                            March 4,2011 Conn College Slam
                            March 10,200 U-Hartford Slam
                           TBA                  Eastern
                           TBA                  Western
                           TBA                  Trinity
                           TBA                 Wesleyan
                          April 28, 2011   Finals Connecticut Storytelling Center/Conn.College
                          April 30, 2011   Showcase mic for the winner and 2 runners up at CT. Storytelling Festival

Check the new INFO PAGES for Campus Slammer at http://www.connstorycenter.org/

Moth Detroit Winner,Writing Letters and Story

2011-01-30T13:26:00.000-05:00

                                                                                                          January 30,2011

Dear Campus Slammer ,

               I am so excited to hear you are visiting all those Connectiucut college campuses. What a wonderful season of listening to stories that will be. Please do remember to write and tell us how each one goes. I have watched with keen interest the Moth slams and MassMouth slams in New York and Boston via the You-Tube recordings. The stories of lives played out over a five minute period can be incredibly moving or in some instances so funny my sides ache with the laughter.
             When you visit the Uconn Campus for their slam on Feb. 21,2011 try to stop by the Gampel Pavillion walkway and rub the statue Husky dog's nose for good luck!   I heard the theme at Uconn is "Bad Romance" , might bring to mind some of those reading requirements from school or the old love letters discovered in a musty old chest. It will be interesting to see what twist the chosen tellers will bring to that theme.
           The Campus Slammer will take to the airwaves on that day Feb 21. The local radio station, WILI 1400 AM is hosting some of the organizers to tell about the events and bring some added excitement to the already building anticipation of the event. Be sure to set your radio dial the night before so you can hear Wake Up with Wayne and the Campus Slammer guests.
           I am reminded that many of the finalist will travel to New London to share their story in the finals. What a wonderful time to visit the Conn College Campus, and the Connecticut Storytelling Festival. April the campus is full of blossoms and green grass. All contestants will also receive tickets to the performance of Native American ( Choctaw) teller Tim Tingle, http://www.timtingle.com/ on Saturday night. I am looking forward to Tim's performance in particular. Directly after that the Showcase mic will be held featuring the Overall Winner of Campus Slammer and two runners up. That will certainly be a time to enjoy story and celebrate the 7 colleges who participated. We will share the stage with seven others that night by drawing names from a hat of those interested in trying out the fun of slam participation.
    All in all the entire spring series is a great set of events to look forward to. I hope that you have wonderful weather as we have heard how the snow has captured most of Connecticut hostage this season. Please write and tell us how each event transpires.

                                                                                                 CT. Storytelling Center

                                                                                                  http://www.connstorycenter.org/

The Campus Slammer Turn Your World Upside Down

2011-01-28T15:16:00.002-05:00

Listen up all you in the Uconn and Eastern campus listening area. Just set your timer mark your calendar and Wake Up With Wayne!

That would be Wayne Norman and the WILI early morning radio show broadcast on 1400 AM from Main Street Willimantic. On Feb. 21 ,2011 You can wake up with Wayne and hear about the Campus Slammer. That's right we will be on the airwaves promoting the Campus Slammer to the whole Eatern CT region!

A 5 minute story to tell will get you into the local contest on your campus. 2 finalists will go from there to the Finals at Conn College on April 28 th. One winner and two runners up will be chosen. They will come back and tell their stories one more time at the Showcase mic at the CT Storytelling Festival on April 30, 2011 at 9:30 p.m. This showcase mic will follow the main concert of the CT Storytelling Festival. http://www.connstorycenter.org/ Check out this hot new storytelling craze!

You don't need to go to Thorpe Park and pay to ride their Slammer. Have a Slammer turn your world upside down, bring your story, represent your college, head to head, which University will end up on top? Tell your friends, bring your friends, to a Campus Slammer! Wake up with Wayne 1400 AM WILI Feb 21, 2011 to get more up to the minute details. That is the very day we will hold a Campus Slammer at Uconn. ( CLAS in conjunction with Long River Live )

Subscribe or follow this blog to get all the dates, times and locations and check the website page at http://www.connstorycenter.org/ We will update as each university gets their date set.

Uconn, Eastern, Western, Wesleyan, Trinity, Conn.College, U-Hartford

Set Your Story Free

UConn Commercial/ It's a DATE!

2011-01-26T21:20:00.000-05:00

Charles: Feb. 21, 2011 7 p.m. CLAS Bldg with Long River Live!

Whatcha Doin? Will you come to a story slam, it's a contest of five minute stories.

Augustus: I heard about it, they call it the CAMPUS SLAMMER!

Charles: there will be cool prizes and the finals are April 28, 2011 at Conn College in New London. Two will represent Uconn that night!

Augustus: Maybe it will be us, You're funny, I'm smart and we can tell a good story

Charles: remember they are choosing a theme , I hear it is going to be " Bad Romance"

Augustus: I thought we would have to go to New York for the hottest, newest trend?

Charles: New York has The Moth, Boston has Mass Mouth but...

Connecticut. has 7 colleges in CAMPUS SLAMMER 2011!

subscribe or follow here to get up to the minute details for all the campus slams! Then on to the finals and the Showcase Mic for the winner and two runners up at the Ct. Storytelling Festival April 30, 2011 at 9:30 p.m.
details also coming out regularly on http://www.connstorycenter.org/

Augustus: I've got to tell all my friends at Wesleyan, Conn College, Eastern, Western, Trinity, and U Hartford. We're going to beat them with our words!

Moth GrandSLAM winning story

2011-01-24T23:21:00.000-05:00

One way to end up in the slammer is rob a bank, just ask Moran Cerf Moth Grand Slam. Another way is CAMPUS SLAMMER! We are coming to a college campus near you. The campus slammer intercollegiate story slam at Uconn - Eastern, Western, Trinity, Conn College and Wesleyan, Finals April 28,2011.

Will a Husky win? Maybe a Bantam? time will tell bring your school a little pride.

All the info will be up on http://www.connstorycenter.org/ just as soon as details are confirmed on each campus. 5 minute story, you can do that! Uconn Feb 21 at Long River Live 7 p.m.

First Person Arts StorySlam: Bad Idea--Dan Mirman

2011-01-22T14:25:00.000-05:00

There are a growing number of story slams around the country, but imagine my surprise when watching this video to find he was talking about Uconn in Storrs. Full circle as now we will be hosting a Campus Slammer right here on the Uconn Campus. You can read all the guidelines when they are posted on the http://www.connstorycenter.org/ web page.

So if Dan can tell his story so can you. Get some friends together Come to the Campus Slammer Feb. 21, 2011 in the English building at Uconn 7 p.m.

Uconn Campus Slammer

2011-01-20T22:38:00.000-05:00

The Uconn Long River Live Open Mic will play host to the new and exciting

Campus Slammer

Feb. 21, 2011 at 7 p.m.

Located in the Stern Lounge of the English Building on Glenbrook Rd. Home of the popular mic series on this evening, the Long River Live crew will present its first Story Slam, 5 minute stories in a competitive format. http://longriverreview.com/live/ The finalists chosen that night will represent Uconn at the finals April 28, 2011 at Conn College and hosted by the Ct. Storytelling Center http://www.connstorycenter.org/

The final winner and 2 runners up will be featured in a Showcase Mic at the Ct. Storytelling Festival April 30, 2011 at 9:30 p.m.

The theme for the Uconn Slam will be announced in the next 48 hours so click on our "follow/subscribe" button to get the update delivered to your in-box. Guidelines will be posted on the http://www.connstorycenter.org/ website

Which campus will take home the final honors? Uconn? Eastern? Western? Wesleyan? Trinity? Conn College? Break Out Bring Your Story!

What prizes will be offered?

Who will our esteemed judges be?

So much info to subscribe for, don't miss a single detail! Please share the page with your friends!

Are there any really scary stories?

2008-08-11T12:40:00.003-04:00

Scary stories are a conundrum. When telling to children there are always a few who will get scared by such innocuous stories like "The Ghost with Bloody Fingers" and there are others who think the story is lame because they were not scared. Kids want to be scared and then part way through a scary story they may not want to be scared that is why so many tried and true scary stories have a fun or light ending. Even when kids say they aren't scared at the end the truth is that many are scared through the story.

In audiences with slightly older children the fun ending stories don't always work, they want to be more scared and have it last longer. A funny thing happened the other night to one of my storytelling friends. She told a ghost story and for the most part the audience was believing it but as soon as she finished the kids asked if it was true. Since there was no fun release it was a way for them to release their fear if it was not true. My friend wondered what would have happened if it was true, would they be scared or just skeptical that she was lying.

Telling scary stories around the campfire is fun but for professional tellers it can be a tight rope experience. Make it scary enough but don't leave the audience shaking with fear, especially if they are camping out for the night.

I would be interested in hearing others experiences with telling and hearing scary stories. Let me know what you think.

Education Help

2008-08-06T09:51:00.002-04:00

I'm not really surprised but I just read a string of messages regarding online help for teachers who have faced difficult situations. The initial questin was to try and find help from others through their stories of similar events. The first site listed was something tried in the UK, the second message referenced a blog for sage advice from teachers at
http://www.edutopia.org . Having found these couple there are probably several sites where teachers can rant and praise classroom happenings.

Oldest Profession?

2008-07-31T15:41:00.000-04:00

Recently someone mentioned to me that they thought Storytelling was the oldest profession known to man as opposed to what is normally called the "oldest profession". I suspect we will never know for sure but before the written word stoytellers and bards were some of the most revered members of a community. Another person listening to this exchange shared with us a story of an invasion in Ireland. The first thing the conquerors did was round up the storytellers, bards and troubadours and killed them! Why? Because they knew that these people were truly the ones who preserved the culture and tradition of the Irish. If they wanted to assimilate them they needed to get rid of the reminders of the Irish culture.

Are you passing on your culture and family traditions to your children? Tell stories, keep your family alive.

Everyone Has a Story

2008-07-29T15:37:00.000-04:00

Did you ever wonder why blogging is huge, why YouTube is taking off and why Facebook is not just for kids anymore? In this humble spider's opinion it is because we all have a story to tell and are looking for people to listen and connect with. We choose to tell our stories in different ways but the most generous thing you can do for another is listen to his/her story. So, this week quiet your mind for a bit and listen to a loved one, friend or even an acquaintance. I'm sure you will be pleasantly surprised by what you her.

Remembering and Connecting

2008-07-28T15:34:00.001-04:00

Liven up any party or family gathering by telling a few stories involving the guest of honor. Stories are great for conneting generations. The younger generations get to find out what life was like back "when" and more about "where" they come from. Older generations can set examples for how to tellinteresting stories.

Stories, video games and Education

2008-07-25T12:20:00.001-04:00

Two years ago the National Storytelling Conference held a panel discussion on how stories can be incorporated into video games to help educate. The following link is an amazing example of how story and a video game are being used in a college course to help students learn the concepts of economics. Video games often get a bad wrap but maybe if they are used right.......

Here is the link

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6342324

Play on!

Anansi

One Man's take on story

2008-07-24T12:05:00.002-04:00

Wow, I just finished watching the Randy Pausch story. For those of you who haven't heard, he is a college professor who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Apparently the cancer is usually diagnosed very late and the survival rate is very low. He has beaten the odds at this point.

There are many amazing things about the man including "The Last Lecture", now a book, a truly moving speech made as his last lecture at Carneige Melon in Pittsburgh. During the last lecture one thing really caught my attention. He said "Don't tell people how to live their lives, tell them stories and they'll figure it out." The Native American and African cultures have lived by that motto for a long time. Give people a lesson in a story, let them figure it out and then they own it and are willing to do the right thing.

Thank you Randy for a reminder of what is really important in life.

Anansi Boys

2008-05-21T20:17:00.003-04:00

I just finished listening to "Anansi Boys" by Neil Gaiman. A fun book set in modern day times but with lots of references to magic and the way the world used to be when the animals could talk. It has great references to Anansi and all the stories about the trickster spider. A couple of the folktales are even included. I'm sure the book is a good read but if you are interested at all in performance storytelling then definitely get the CD (libraries). The narrator is masterful with accents and characterization.

The power of story is throughout this little book. Read/listen to this book and let your imagination run wild.

Central Park New York Storytelling.

2008-05-16T09:09:00.004-04:00

For anyone in the New York City area or for anyone who might find themselves there below is a link with a schedule of tellings that will be happening at the Hans Christian Andersen statue in Central Park. This series has been happening for several years now on Saturday mornings from 11-12. A professional teller shares tales of HC Andersen and other artists. The location is beautiful, outside and at the feet of the statue of a master storyteller. The stories are appropriate for anyone over 5. Best of all, its FREE!

Here is the link, check it out.

http://www.storytelling-nyc.org/ http://dianewolkstein.com/

Who Is Anansi

2008-05-05T15:17:00.001-04:00

For anyone familiar with world folk tales you probably already have a good handle on who Anansi is. For those of you new to the folk world or to the story world then google Anansi and see what you get. Pages and pages of information on the trickster spider from Africa. Better you should read some of that information instead of me just repeating what has already been said.

The 27th Annual Festival

2008-04-29T09:03:00.003-04:00

Well, the 27th Annual Connecticut Storytelling Festival is over and the halls have gone quiet for the time being. Friday night of the Festival was a rip roaring good time with Jackson Gillman entertaining folks at the Mid-Nine Cabaret. Saturday was again filled with all kinds of stories, something for everyone. Sunday was a relaxing wrap up to a full weekend.

Next year Jay O'Callahan will be performing so mark your calendars now, the last week in April of 2009. See you then but in the meantime keep on telling.

So Many Uses for Stories

2008-04-21T09:49:00.001-04:00

There are so many uses for story in communication that in an effort to have web conversations flow the posts will be labeled with general gategories such as, Scary Stories, Folk Tales, Business Stories, Educational Uses and any other specialty category that might arise from the posts and comments made.

Upcoming Events

2008-04-18T18:31:00.000-04:00

I have been remiss in not reminding you about the upcoming Connecticut Storytelling Festival. It is held on the campus of Connecticut College in New London, you guessed it Connecticut. There are events all weekend long but you can come for one of any number of the events. Friday night April 25th is a concert for families and Saturday the 26th is a full day of performances and workshops for adults. Many of these award CEU's for teachers and librarians. Sunday the 27th is more laid back, an opportunity to get to meet the headliners for the weekend. Check out the full schedule at www.connstorycenter.org

Hope to see you there.