Intro to Storytelling at The PIT

My new storytelling class at The PIT begins on April 30th. I couldn't be more excited to be co-teaching with the incredible Michelle Walson, an amazing writer, director, and storyteller.

*Intro to Storytelling at The P.I.T.
with David Crabb & Michelle Walson
Mondays 7pm-10pm
April 30-June 25

In this class, you’ll learn how to transform your real-life experiences into unforgettable performance pieces. The class will operate workshop style, with the majority of class time devoted to sharing and critiquing stories. Each student will develop at least 2 stories and perform one in a class show at The PIT for family and friends.

Michelle and I have worked together since 2010, teaching storytelling to beginners, seasoned writers and performers, and corporate professionals. Michelle approaches storytelling as a writer/director, with a focus on story structure, while I approach it as a writer/performer, with a focus on character work and physicality. Together, we’ve designed a multifaceted intro program for storytellers with different goals in mind.

SIGN UP HERE

Bad Kid is a New York Times Critics Pick!

New York Times has selected "Bad Kid" as one of their Critics Picks and ran the review in today's issue! Check out the article online with the picture above of me making the exact same face I made when I found out!

New York Times "Bad Kid" review

Hooray for Bad Kid!!!

The reviews are rolling in...

"Bad Kid" is getting some great reviews for it's 2012 run at Axis Theatre.

Flavorpill calls the show "highly entertaining."

"Behind the many laughs, a poignancy creeps in through Crabb's affectionate portrayals of the fellow outcasts who became his essential support system."
-Flavorpill

Curtain Up loved the show too and says you'll "jump in for the joyride."

"Crabb’s words simply pop in a magical way when he performs them. If reading his script is the equivalent of driving in a Camaro, then watching him perform it is like speeding down the Autobahn in a Lamborghini."
-Curtain Up

More to come y'all. Hang on to your Ankhs for a wild ride!!!

Black by popular demand!!!

Break out your cloves and pull out your Siouxsie and The Banshees records! My one-person show "Bad Kid" is back by popular demand on February 17th at Axis Theatre. We're painting our nails black as we speak. RELEASE THE RAVENS!

Show info HERE.

Ask Me: Dark Things

To quote Carol Ann in the miserable sequel to 1982's superior "Poltergeist"...
They're baaa-aaaaackkkk...

ASK ME returns to Axis Theatre with a night of Gothy, witchy, scary and ultimately hilarious stories on Wednesday, January 18th at 8pm. Cammi Climaco and I couldn't be more excited about this group of drug-addled, Doc Marten-wearing, hyper-depressive and pyro-maniacal performers...
Erin Barker
Bridget O'Neill
Juliet Hope Wayne
and special appearances by Edgar Oliver!

So shoot your absinthe, put on your dog collars and throw your cloves in your military-issue satchel. We'll see you next week for big, dark, spooky fun!

Axis can be hard to find, so check this out.
10$ suggested donation
BYOB (You being drunk makes out job easier. So go nuts!)
Doors close by 8:15 at the LATEST! No late entries.

More info HERE.

My storytelling class at The PIT!

I am honored and beyond excited to be teaching a storytelling class at The PIT starting next month. It's called "Storytelling: Tell and Show." Although I love the one-on-one relationship of directing and coaching, I'm really excited for this opportunity to be working with a group on their stories.
I plan on being a stern task-master and regularly humming The Police's "Don't Stand So Close To Me" under my breath.

From The PIT site:
This is a class for storytellers with experience who are looking to incorporate more theatricality into their performance. If you’re looking to inhabit your characters and expand your physicality behind the mic, this is the class for you. In addition to fine-tuning your writing and story structure, you’ll learn to fully harness the power of your body and voice to create scenes, build tension, and transform into characters. If your crazy Aunt Gilda is better seen and heard than described, this class can show you how to become her. Class time is devoted to students sharing and critiquing each other’s work. Each student will develop at least three stories and perform one of them in a class show at The PIT for family and friends.

To find out more about the class and sign up, go HERE.

The Story Collider: Body Plans

I am performing at a great science-based storytelling show next week on Wednesday May 18th. It's called "The Story Collider" and it's hosted by Ben Lillie. I'll be speaking about my battle with Crohn's Disease over the last few years. I've never publicly spoken about this before and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous as hell. I mean, some things are personal, but this is really personal. As much trepidation as I'm feeling, I'm actually quite excited to get it all out there in the open. People suffering from Crohn's have a suicide rate three times higher than the general public. Much of this stems not only from pain, physical limitations, and drug side effects, but also from the amount of shame and secrecy around the condition. It's this fact that keeps reminding me what a great opportunity I have in speaking to people about this insidious disease.

As heavy as all of this sounds, the story is quite funny and full of silver linings, which I'm always reminding myself to recognize lately. I've always loved the saying "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade." So I will literally be attempting to make verbal lemonade before your very eyes and ears. After all, doesn't a spoonful of sugar make the medicine go down?

I hope you can join us.

"Body Plans"

Wednesday the 18th of May
8pm
Pacific Standard, Brooklyn, NY

http://storycollider.org/shows/2011-05-18

For more information about Crohn's Disease:
http://www.ccfa.org/info/about/crohns