Our World Heals Through Laughter - Storyectomy: Get Your Story Out

Adult literacy

West LA

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

January 2025 started with a bang in California…first the wildfires then a political power shift. Collectively - we as a county are divided. Comedy has the power to disarm and transform the audience and performer. Shared laughter is a release, letting air out of our held biases. The Crow’s vision is to build bridges in our communities using storytelling and comedy as the vessels to drive social change. When we can see ourselves reflected in the performer’s shared humanity - those held biases continue to deflate. If we only hear certain voices, it prevents us from being able to learn, grow, or in the case of those absent voices, feel seen. This project's focus are our veterans. Storyectomy AMERICAN HEROES gives those who served a chance to process their changed reality, with family dynamic shifts, housing and economic insecurity, PTSD and other mental health issues. The craft of storytelling opens the door for this group to release their stories, expand minds, and promote understanding.

The Crow is seeking support to produce a season of Storyectomy - a six week, in-person, storymaking arts course. Stand-up and storytelling help us create a brighter, richer, more eclectic cultural landscape - opening people up to new voices and ideas. Topics vary - but all fall within the umbrella of health and social equity. Each class gives the participant a new found power to use their own life story for good and advocacy. Classes are rehearsals are filmed and recorded, along with the final showcase, so global audiences can have a deeper inside look into our shared human experiences.
The theme for the workshop introduced in this proposal is [American Heroes] This theme was designed for military veterans - acknowledging their service. This workshop focuses on supporting those who have served, emphasizing compassion, support and care as they navigate re-entry into civilian life.
Direct impact: 101, participants and performers. Indirect impact: 1,130 audience members.
PAST STORYECTOMIES:
END CANCER #1: 8/4/2023; END CANCER # 2: 10/6/2023; BABY BUMPS #1: 3/1/2024 l ;FAMILY PRIDE #1: 6/14/2024; END CANCER #3: 8/9/2024 ; UNHOUSED #1: 9/6/2024 ; END CANCER #4: 10/19/2024 ; BABY BUMPS #2: 3/15/2025
UPCOMING: FAMILY PRIDE #2: 6/21/2025; END CANCER #5; 8/21/2025; END CANCER #6: 10/3/2025
SEEKING FUNDING FOR: [AMERICAN HEROES]: Designed for our military Veterans, acknowledging their service, reintegration into society, impacted family, and medical support systems. [April 2026]

Humor has the power to disarm individuals - stories built in our classroom and shared on our stages will begin to dissolve held biases around marginalized groups. The lasting change we would like to see is for communities within Los Angeles to be less divisive and have a genuine compassion for our fellow humans. When we are brave enough to share our lived experiences - those stories will be respected - our communities will become more emotionally resilient, and feel safer for all Angelenos. Trust me, on the night of September 6, 2024, Storyectomy: UNHOUSED took over The Crow. Seventy-five audience members filled each seat. And leaned in. After listening to Kim Reeder, Lydia Garcia and Rene Buchanan, all survivors as formerly unhoused women, every person in that audience was transformed. We will never avert their eyes again when walking past an unhoused human. Storyectomy: AMERICAN HEROES, will enable us to reach a new group, offering support and amplifying their unheard voices.