The upcoming 12th Annual First Person Arts Festival takes over venues across Philadelphia from November 6–16. As a Philly–based non–profit, First Person gives people the tools and platforms to share their personal stories through workshops, author discussions, theater performances, storytelling competitions and readings over the course of the year. The festival gathers people together in celebrating the idea that sharing our stories allows us to transcend our cultural differences.
The anticipated audience—the local Philly community is the main driver of First Person’s programming. The organizers did their best to tailor this year’s events around relevant topics. Executive Director Jamie J. Brunson said that the event covers “a diverse array of issues, including mental health, immigration, sexuality, and family.”
First Person Arts features more than twenty events occurring over the ten–day period. “The Sincerity Project,” a dynamic music and theater performance by Team Sunshine Performance Corporation, explores what it really means to be part of the millennial generation—digging beyond the stereotypes of our tech–obsessed and selfie culture. There’s also a chance to learn more about a vibrant Philly subculture in “Dear Sir of Madam,” a night of intimate stories from some of Philly’s top drag stars. If you’ve ever been to a drag event in Philly—or even if you haven’t—this is your chance to listen and look beyond the glamorous wigs and fishnets.
Many of the events are more serious, however, and use sensitive personal experiences as vehicles to highlight important social issues. For instance, the “(1)ne Drop Project” by cultural researcher Dr. Yaba Blay brings together stories from over 60 individuals on the topic of what it means to be black in today’s society and in the past. This event will be eye–opening and an important window onto what happens outside of the Penn bubble.
The cherry on top of all these events? The “Grand Slam” championship competition is a who's who of Philly wordsmiths. The winners of First Person’s monthly storytelling competition compete before an audience to be crowned “Best Storyteller in Philadelphia." This masterful showcase of powerful, entertaining, and moving personal stores, might even inspire you to tell your own tale.
Purchase your tickets for these events at firstpersonarts.org. Most are under $20.
