Cicada Story Slam plus special guests

FAQs

• How do I sign up to tell a story?

  We do this old skool! When you arrive, just write your name down on a slip of paper, pop it in the hat, and cross your fingers. We will draw names out of the hat throughout the night. Be ready and be brave—our audiences are always super generous and full of love and admiration for our storytellers!

• What are the guidelines for the story itself?

  We love creativity and welcome all kinds of storytelling styles! Whether you want to share a traditional spoken-word tale, a piece of prose poetry, a funny stand-up bit, or even a song—anything goes, as long as it tells a story.

  Just keep these few simple rules in mind:

  • It Must Have a Narrative: No matter what style you choose, your performance needs a clear narrative arc—a beginning, a middle and an end.

  • Stick to the Time Limit: You have a hard maximum of 6 minutes. To keep things fair for everyone waiting in the hat, the host will give you a friendly signal when you have 1 minute left so you can bring it home.

  • Keep it Clean (Spiritually, not literally!): While mature 18+ content and adult language are totally fine, your story must adhere to our community safety rules (no hate speech, racism, sexism, homophobia or transphobia ).

• What happens if my name is pulled but I get cold feet?

  No pressure at all. If your name is drawn and you’ve changed your mind, just give us a wave or a "pass," and we will draw the next name. That said, this is the safest, most supportive room you could possibly debut in, so we highly encourage you to take the leap!

• What is the tech setup like for performers?

  Simple—one mic and lots of attentive listeners!

  You are welcome to hold the microphone or leave it in the stand, whichever makes you feel more comfortable. The only rule is to make sure you speak clearly and directly into the mic so every single person in the room can catch your story. No complicated gear, no fuss—just you and the audience.

• What are the prize categories?

  Our three special guest judges will be crowning the winners at the end of the night, awarding bragging rights for three distinct titles:

  • Most Heartfelt: Chosen by our judges for the story that brought the rawest emotion, the most honesty, and truly touched everyone’s hearts.

  • Most Compelling: Chosen by our judges for the story with the ultimate hook—the one with incredible structure, suspense, or a twist that kept us on the edge of our seats.

  • The People’s Choice: This one is entirely up to you! The judges will hand the power over to the room, and the winner will be determined by whoever gets the loudest, rowdiest round of applause at the end of the night. So get ready to cheer loud for your favourites!

• Can I just come to listen, or does everyone have to put their name in the hat?

  You can absolutely just sit back, relax, and listen! Putting your name in the hat is 100% optional. We need enthusiastic, loving audience members just as much as we need storytellers.

• If I’m putting my name in the hat to tell a story, do I still need to buy a ticket to get in?

  Yes, everyone needs a ticket to get in. Because we do a traditional hat-draw, putting your name in doesn't guarantee you'll hit the stage—it just gets you into the running!

  Every ticket sold helps us cover the venue costs, keep the lights on and keep this community going. Plus, even if your name isn't pulled, you're guaranteed a fantastic night of listening to some incredible stories.