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SPEAKER SUBMISSION

Thank you for your interest in being a story teller at our Voices of Summer Search event on
May 2nd at GBH Studios in Brighton, MA.  

Selected story tellers will be sharing their stories on stage at our Voices of Summer Search event to an audience of about 350 people. Speakers will work with a professional to develop their idea into a full story and prepare them for the performance. More details on criteria, benefits and timing below. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to Summer Search staff member, Sam Larkan, slarkan@summersearch.org. 

Submissions will be accepted until March 10th, after which speakers will be notified if they will be joining for this year's event. While we wish we could have everyone, we only have time for a few. But there are always future years and events!   

Submit Your Story Idea


Submission Criteria:

  • Each story must tie to Summer Search in some way. Summer Search does not have to be the focus or featured extensively, but there must be some connection to Summer Search and its programming. 
  • The story must be about YOU. True, personal stories have the most power when they are about the person telling them! Let us in on your thoughts and feelings, so we can go on the journey with you. 
  • The story must have an arc. This means that you, the storyteller, change from the beginning to the end of the story. This change can be big or small -- as momentous as becoming a parent or as small as learning to ask for help -- but it has to be there in order for the audience to feel that the story is going somewhere. 
  • Keep in mind that there is a time commitment involved. Every storyteller will attend a group workshop on crafting your story and then work one-on-one with the storytelling professional that Summer Search has hired to brainstorm and shape your story. There will be one live dress rehearsal before the event. 
  • For this submission, we are not looking for a final draft of a story, but rather a kernel of an idea that will be fleshed out with the storytelling professional in the weeks leading up to the event.  
  • All final stories will be 5-7 minutes long.  

Resources for storytelling from some experts in the field:

What you’ll get out of this experience as a speaker:

  • Public speaking and storytelling skills 
  • A personal story that could be used as the basis for a college essay or personal statement 
  • A video recording of your performance
  • $400 stipend for your time

Timeline:  

  • February 17 – March 10 – submission link open.  
  • March 15th – speakers selected 
  • March 15 – May 1  
    • Group workshops (virtual, to be scheduled) 
    • 1:1 work with contractor (virtual, to be scheduled)
  • May 1st – Dress rehearsal at GBH Studios in Brighton  
  • May 2nd – Voices of Summer Search Event!