“I
recently participated in Truth in Comedy sharing a very personal story
regarding a health issue I live with daily. I was scared and wanted
to back out so many times. While telling my story was certainly therapeutic
for me, the addition of the comedy set was therapeutic for all—truly
making this an emotional roller coaster filled with the tension of a
serious story and the relief of a light-hearted perspective.
My comedic
counterpart (Byron Stamps) did an amazing job of connecting to my situation
in a way that was complimentary and not condescending or heckling. His
thoughts helped me realize a bright side to something that always seemed
to cast a dark shadow on my life. Most importantly, after the show was
done, listening to the positive response from the audience was equally
rewarding. I was surprised by the instant connection I had with so many
strangers based on Byron’s vision for this. I even had people
tell me that they wanted to share their stories afterwards. He is certainly
on to something. This is the kind of idea that brings healing. This
is the kind of idea the world needs.”
~ Lauren Brezindine, Storyteller
“I
DO storytelling. I’ve been part of Oral Fixation. I’ve helped
start different storytelling shows at Dallas Comedy House. I teach a
class. I love it. As often as I’ve done it, Truth in Comedy brought
me to another level of vulnerability that I dared go into before. I
was tasked to tell a story about myself that I never thought I would
tell anyone. I made my peace with that part, but the thought of someone
else taking the story and doing a stand-up set about it was terrifying.
Having the opportunity to attend a show before I had to share my story
put me completely at ease.
The reason I love and DO storytelling is the same reason I love comedy:
we point out what is familiar and ridiculous about what is familiar
and ridiculous about the human experience and release our anxiety about
it through words, through tears, and through laughter. Everyone that
attended the first Truth in Comedy walked away feeling something was
lifted out of themselves; the storytellers, the comedians, the audience.
There was such a respect for who we all are as human beings. And everyone
appreciated the freedom to laugh about life and it’s absurdity
as we live it. The show I got to be in was no different. I released
a story that I planned on taking to my grave with a room full of strangers.
I laughed at all the jokes inspired by my story. I was embraced by others
who shared my truth. And we were all free.”
~ Julia Cotton, Storyteller
“I
have done hundreds of shows throughout my life, but Truth in Comedy
is unlike any other show; It’s an EXPERIENCE. I was able to share
a story I had never told about my abuse and it was so cathartic. Being
able to laugh afterwards about something so painful was such a roller
coaster. Beyond my own story I got to hear the other stories and understand
that everyone is walking around with pain but also the deep desire to
heal. The support I received from the audience was so moving, and everyone
in that room walked away feeling like we shared a special bond. I’ve
never been a part of a show that connected people in such a powerful
way, and I probably never will be again.”
~ Lindsay Goldapp, Storyteller
“It
was a really great experience for me personally because I feel like
it was a great environment to express feelings about things you would
normally keep inside or to yourself. People were open and honest about
who they were and who they are now, and in hearing other people’s
stories and similar experiences made them feel like they weren’t
alone because they aren’t. Having a comedian go up after a personal
story was a great way to soothe the story tellers after they opened
up. I just feel like the whole show was therapeutic, fun, and enjoyable.
I would love to perform again.”
~ Latrice Allen, Comedian
“When
I signed up to tell my story at Truth in Comedy, I thought I was doing
it to further process through my relationship with my father. I thought
I was doing this for myself. After reading my story, and seeing how
it affected others, I now understand that the true gift of what I was
able to do was not in my healing, but in the insight and healing I was
able to provide others. This was without a doubt a worthwhile experience
and one for which I am very grateful for having gone through.”
~ Jessica Roy, Storyteller
“Sharing
my story at Truth in Comedy was a definite positive in my life. It has
added to my natural skill set of speaking and sharing stories. I am
a public speaker and Truth in Comedy has added to my portfolio and growth
as a speaker. The art of sharing my story and then a comedian coming
right after and sharing a comedy set is freeing. It is so nice to be
able to laugh at the difficulties in life and make light of a situation
by seeing someone else's perspective. It was also great to see and know
that I am not alone in my struggle. Other's go through serious things
and can laugh about it and now I can too. The diversity, range of stories
and comedy is refreshing. Thank you Truth in Comedy! I am forever grateful!”
~ Rachel McCants, storyteller
“Truth
in Comedy is a wonderful artistic outlet for both audience members and
performers. I realized how thoughtfully it was conceived when I first
saw the show. I laughed and cried, but most importantly, I felt transformed
from when I walked in the door. As a performer, I was allowed to tell
my truth to an open audience who was willing to listen intently in a
supportive environment. Unlike other storytelling experiences, I was
blown away by the comedian who was inspired by my story. Her set was
funny, thoughtful, and heartfelt. She made my story come alive in ways
that I couldn’t. I felt heard and validated by my experience as
a Truth in Comedy performer. Byron Stamps is the mastermind behind this
creative endeavor, and should be credited for providing something so
unique, compassionate, and funny for audiences and performers.”
~ Sydney Plant, Storyteller
“In
the days following telling my story at TIC, I have felt lighter and
stronger than I have in a very long time. There is something extraordinarily
therapeutic about telling our stories. So many of us walk around clinging
to pain of the past and blocking ourselves from experiencing true joy.
TIC allows storytellers, regular people, to tell a story from their
life, their truth; and not only does that have a healing impact on the
storyteller, but also the audience. I believe it is the kind of experience
where there is an exchange of raw vulnerability in a shared space where
nobody walks away unchanged. The TIC performances are a way to release
the past and accept that it can be no different and you are where you
because your life experiences have brought you to this moment and you
are strong enough and brave enough to tell your truth. There is nothing
more powerful than that. It’s like your turning pain into power
and art.”
~ Michelle Read, Storyteller
“As
an artist I find myself often sharing stories from my perspective, working
with truth in comedy allowed me a moment to reevaluate my lens of viewing
and deeply consider the truth and validity of someone else’s experiences.
Spending time with the stories of overcoming and understanding made
me consider the creative possibilities of how we all work through situations
in our own lives, how we voyage into experiences and cope with them.
Developing a creative piece for the story tellers isn’t only a
chance for me as an artist to creatively depict their journey, but a
chance for me to create an additional space that an audience can relate
to and empathize with. It’s always humbling to hear someone’s
true story, no holding back and trusting an audience to meet them in
a place of understanding as they share their experience of life.”
~ Jessica Martinez, Visual Artist
“Participating
in the truth and comedy series was a life-changing for me. It gave me
the opportunity to express thoughts that I thought that I should be
ashamed of, but with this show, I realized that I'm not alone with my
thoughts and experiences. And to have a comedian take my story and make
it a fun and joyous occasion was very cathartic for me. The show even
inspired me to create my one woman show around my experiences with sexuality.
I am forever thankful that Byron Stamps gave me the opportunity to participate
in something that is so magical and life-changing.”
~ Nkechi Chibueze, Storyteller
“I
had the opportunity to perform at Truth in Comedy presented by Byron
Stamps. The experience was amazing. TiC is a unique room that offers
people a chance to tell their personal stories followed by a comedic
set inspired by those stories.
I was inspired in many different ways. However, the vulnerability of
the storytellers is what inspired me the most. As a comedian, I sometimes
struggle with being completely exposed on stage. After watching the
storytellers let their guard down and be real, I realized it's okay
to tell MY truth and talk about the life experiences that make me the
person I am today.”
~ KeLanna Spiller, Comedian
“Participating
in the TIC show as a performer is a cathartic experience and offers
the storyteller a platform to connect intimately, not only with the
audience, but the stand-up comedians as well. There’s a lot of
vulnerability in trusting someone else to interpret your story from
their perspective and molding it to their craft to connect with the
audience. It’s a delicate balance, but TIC always pulls it off.
TIC reminds us all that inside every story of truth there are moments
of laughter that need to be celebrated, too.”
~ Tami Stowe, Storyteller
“Truth
in Comedy is a profound experience. TiC helps to remove the isolation
of emotions from life experiences and exploits the healing of laughter.
As a participant, I have watched and experienced, the ability to transcend
race, gender identity, and economic status to really see and identify
with the human experience. I witnessed tears and laughter and tears
of laughter. As a director of a fortune 300 company, I recognize the
need for true emotional intelligence and TiC is that link that completes
the circle. As a comedian, I learned to embrace my past and allow that
pain that made me funny heal.
Simply said,
it is a life changing experience.”
~
Michelle Henderson, Comedian
“Truth
in Comedy is a unique storytelling experience for individuals in the
metroplex. Mr. Stamps does a great job of engaging the audience, and
inviting a great diversity of voices and stories to the stage. There’s
a great power to creating a story and then hearing a stand-up set following
the themes of your ‘truth’ – it really does highlight
the ‘Truth in Comedy’ and makes for a night of wonderful
entertainment, bonding, and emotional vulnerability, blanketed in laughter.”
~ Devon Kodzis, Storyteller
“My
name is Kristine Cruz and I have been attending Truth in Comedy (TiC)’s
events for over a year. I’d consider myself a pretty loyal audience
member. If I’m in town on the first weekend of the month, I grab
a friend and go. For me, TiC has been a breath of fresh air. It provides
a platform for anyone from the DFW community to tell their story. Byron
has created a safe space where individuals can share their truth and
be heard. It’s a beautiful experience to witness an individual’s
story through three lenses: first, through the storyteller directly;
next, the comedian’s set based on the story; and, finally, the
featured artist’s manifestation of the story. TiC is a unique
experience that creates intimacy among a group of strangers and the
opportunity to connect with someone who is seemingly different from
you. TiC’s partnerships with local venues, organizations, and
artists broadens its impact and support for our community. I believe
TiC is deserving of support for all it does for the community and for
the arts.”
~ Kristine E. Cruz, Audience Member
Saturday night
I had the opportunity to share my story in a different setting than
I've ever done it before. I shared it many times as an example of God
changing my life with intent to convince people of Christianity. I have
shared it as an example of why I'm for more strict gun laws. But Saturday
was the first time I had shared it with zero agenda whatsoever in front
of an audience. It was really freeing to just be able to share my truth
simply for the sake of sharing it with people who were interested simply
because they're interested in hearing other's stories. No agenda, no
judgement, certainly no alter call, just one human, sharing their experience
with other humans.
Truth in
Comedy - TiC is a brilliant event put on by my friend Byron Stampsevery
month where people share their stories and then a comedian follows and
does their set based on pieces of the story. It's cool how the comedians
100% honor and respect the storytellers but find ways to relate with
the story and laugh about things the storyteller can laugh at as well.
To me, Truth
In Comedy is a fascinating example of how we get through hard times.
Sometimes all we can do is laugh when things are crazy hard. Being able
to laugh in the midst of difficult times, I understand, can be near
impossible at times. But if we are able to, it makes it so much easier
to get through it.
Beyond that,
the simple act of being able to bear your soul with a group of people
without fear of judgement is something that is incredibly valuable.
We are all far more interconnected than we realize and we need each
other way more than we realize. Thank you Byron for giving me this opportunity.
And for anyone reading this, I hope you will check out the next Truth
In Comedy event!
~ Andrew Glenn, Storyteller
testimonials
