About The Men's Story Project
The Men's Story Project (MSP) is a new public performance and community discussion project examining social ideas about masculinity, using the arts as a medium for community-building and social change. It aims to give voice to men's stories that are less often heard; to break silences on issues including sexism, racism, heterosexism, ableism and violence – and ways in which these interplay with norms around masculinity; to celebrate men’s beauty and strength; and to stimulate active discussion on what being a man can be all about. The ultimate goal of this replicable project is to help expand the presence of genuine personal expression, peace, health and social justice in communities. The project is getting started in the San Francisco Bay Area.
In each MSP performance, a diverse group of approximately 16 local men share short pieces they have created about their own lives, on subjects including sexuality, romantic relationships, friendship, family, mentors, rites of passage, HIV/AIDS, perpetration of and healing from violence, immigration, personal transformations, and the men they wish to be – all with a framing focus on examination of masculinity and men’s roles. Performances include slam poetry, monologues, prose, music and dance. Visual art may be displayed depending on the venue. Each performance is followed by facilitated discussion between audience and performers.
Most MSP presenters are first-time performers; creation of their pieces is supported by local artists and writers through workshops and 1-1 meetings.
The MSP performance model is highly replicable, and we encourage replication of the Men's Story Project all over the planet! We would be glad to help organizations and groups create presentations of their own, and are available for consulting.
A longer project description can be found here, and the YouTube site is here.
MEN'S STORY PROJECT PERFORMANCES #1 & 2
To those of you who came to our first show: THANK YOU!!
With a packed, standing-room-only house, an incredibly loving and present audience, tears and laughter, and loud standing ovations for the courage and honesty of our presenters, the first MSP performance took place on 8/17/08 at La Pena Cultural Center in Berkeley! Huge thanks to the amazing participants, and to everyone who came out to support and share - this feels like just the beginning of a broad-reaching and important project which will only become stronger as we go! Some audience feedback is here.
This performance included 16 men, ages 22-60. Topics addressed included: expressing platonic love for other men; struggles with Islam, homophobia and HIV; bisexuality and internalized homophobia; disability, sexuality and masculinity; testicular cancer and personal wholeness; images of African American masculinity; men's public restroom rituals; one man’s journey from domestic violence perpetration to anti-violence activism; refusal to continue intergenerational patterns of violence; a dance piece addressing African American masculinity and hip-hop influences; spirituality and personal transformation; transgender identity and gender fluidity; relationships with fathers and other family members; and gratitude to lifelong mentors. Presenters included established local artists and first-time performers.
** A DVD of this performance is available! Please email Josie at the address below to order a copy. Price is $15-20 sliding scale.
Our 2nd performance, sponsored by the University of California-San Francisco Center for Gender Equity and 10 (yes, 10!) other campus groups, took place on Oct. 15, 2008. It was amazing again - thanks to all who came out! Door donations went to San Francisco Women Against Rape (www.sfwar.org), which works with people of all genders to prevent & respond to sexual assault.
THE MEN'S STORY PROJECT CD
By popular demand, we're going to make a CD! This will be a music/spoken word compilation of men's personal stories. All music styles and languages are welcome, from anywhere in the world! We'll be promoting the music for radio/TV/internet/print. The Call for Submissions is here -- deadline is Jan. 10, 2009.
SUPPORTING THE MEN'S STORY PROJECT
The Men’s Story Project is an independent project in its initial stages. We seem to be onto something timely, powerful, and much-needed with this project, and believe that it has genuine potential to become a widespread performance 'movement' contributing to social discussion and progress.
Creation of each new MSP performance will require approximately $6000, to pay presenters, producer, director and writing workshop facilitators, as well as to cover space rental, stage tech and publicity. We are also glad to bring an already-formed MSP performance to your organization/school for a negotiable fee.
The fiscal sponsor for the MSP is YES! (www.yesworld.org), a long-standing nonprofit organization that supports visionary youth activists around the world.
Tax-deductible donations, made out to YES!/Men's Story Project, can be sent to YES!, c/o Men's Story Project, at 420 Bronco Rd., Soquel, CA 95703.
Thank you for your support! Peace.
Some good links:
http://fem-men-ist.blogspot.com
http://www.genderjustice.org.za/
http://www.paulkivel.com/index.php
Please contact Josie Lehrer at josie@mensstoryproject.org with questions, feedback, or for further info on how to create a local Men's Story Project.