WHAT IS STORY SLAM?

• 5 minute story. After 5 minutes, there will be a penalty. After 7 minutes, there will be a signal you've reached the end of your time.

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• Sign up in person the evening of the event with the host table.

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• No props.

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• Story must be original, unpublished, true, and told in the first person. 

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• You can read from a script on paper or device.

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• Names are drawn for order of storytelling.

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• If there are more than 10 people who sign up, the first 10 storytellers drawn from the hat will be able to compete. This is a lottery draw and there is no guarantee you will be able to tell your story if more than 10 people sign up. People are allowed to sign up from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm.

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• No registrations are allowed after the show starts at 7:30 pm, even if there is less than 10 storytellers. This rule is to make it fair, as it is difficult to go first and later submissions mean the storytellers have an advantage.  

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• There are 5 random audience judges. We pick them at the beginning of the evening. 

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• Judges score 1 to 10, with one decimal point. The highest score and the lowest score are eliminated and the three middle numbers are added up. Judges give their scores after each storyteller.

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• All proceeds go to the winner (after venue rental fee and any other expenses are covered. We are a not-for-profit event, led by volunteers).

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• The highest score of the evening wins the pot.

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• The winners from each monthly event are eligible to compete in Slam Off held once a year. The Winnipeg Story Slam season runs from January to October with a finale in November. 

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• NEW RULE: If during the regular season an individual wins twice, that person will then be asked to go first at their 3rd Slam.

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• Please remember this event is run by volunteers who love stories. There are no paid staff. All money for this event goes back into the storytelling community.