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More Better Stories
By American School of Storytelling
Created by American School of Storytelling
Playing at
Show Description
Six individual or storytelling combos, three performances each, with fabulous stories, real and imagined inviting laughter, tears and the satisfaction of hearing more better stories.
Genre and Content
Content Warnings
The creators say this show is appropriate for ages 16 and up
Learn How To Fringe
Seat Reservations and Show Tickets
| Add to Schedule | Date | Time | Ticket Options | Quantity | Purchase |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu 07/31 | 7:00 PM | ||||
| Thu 07/31 | 8:30 PM | ||||
| Fri 08/01 | 7:00 PM | ||||
| Fri 08/01 | 8:30 PM | ||||
| Sat 08/02 | 2:30 PM | ||||
| Sat 08/02 | 4:00 PM | ||||
| Sat 08/02 | 7:00 PM | ||||
| Sat 08/02 | 8:30 PM | ||||
| Sun 08/03 | 2:30 PM | ||||
| Sun 08/03 | 4:00 PM | ||||
| Wed 08/06 | 7:00 PM | ||||
| Wed 08/06 | 8:30 PM | ||||
| Thu 08/07 | 7:00 PM | ||||
| Thu 08/07 | 8:30 PM | ||||
| Fri 08/08 | 7:00 PM | ||||
| Fri 08/08 | 8:30 PM | ||||
| Sat 08/09 | 2:30 PM | ||||
| Sat 08/09 | 4:00 PM | ||||
| Sat 08/09 | 7:00 PM | ||||
| Sat 08/09 | 8:30 PM |
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Video Trailer
Cast and Crew
Loren Niemi
Storyteller / producer of More Better StoriesLoren Niemi is a Minnesota based poet, author and innovative storyteller whose work includes a 2020 Midwest Book Award winning short story collection, “What Haunts Us”, a poetic memoir “A Breviary for the Lost” and “Circus Rex” a novel of romance, catastrophe and offbeat humor. Over the last 47 years Loren has shared stories and poems in urban and rural communities, on storytelling festival and cabaret stages, in over 200 poetry or story slams, and at 34 Fringe Festivals in 6 cities since 1995. He taught Storytelling in the Communications and Theater programs at Metro State University for 26 years and Storytelling in Business and Organizational life for the University of St. Thomas for 5 years. He was awarded the National Storytelling Network’s lifetime achievement award in 2016 and founded the American School of Storytelling in 2020 to provide online and in person classes, workshops and performances. . More: www.lorenNiemistories.com and www.AmericanSchoolofStorytelling.com
Howard Lieberman
StorytellerHoward Lieberman has done everything on stage except sing, which he would gladly do if he could carry a tune. He grew up on the North Side of Chicago with a professional tap dancer for a father and a math teacher for a mother, which may explain his wild mood swings. As a young man, Howard left the wholesome Midwest to find fame and fortune as a corporate attorney in New York City. 20 years and one child later, he and his wife moved to staunchly Republican Stillwater, MN with a New York accent and a jaded sense of humor. He has partnered with Loren Niemi for 18 years now of Fringe Festivals and cabaret performances as well as done solo and on-line performing where his unique blend of performance art, improv and edgy personal narratives has made him a fixture in the national storytelling scene.
Karol Baurmeister Laux
Writer, Performer, DirectorKarol Baumeister Laux, is a local voice over talent and radio producer/reporter. Being creative and funny comes naturally to her, and it's no surprise she loves improv, stand-up comedy and all aspects of storytelling. If you haven't heard her on the radio, you may have seen her perform stand-up at the Chanhassen Dinner Theater. This is her second time performing at the Fringe, and she is excited to be surrounded by all the amazing talent.
Siobhan Kierans
Writer, Performer, DirectorSiobhan Kierans is an award-winning producer, writer, director and on-air talent. As a journalist she loves the flexibility of writing for theater. Performing is in her blood, most recently flexing her creative muscles in Chicago on the radio and in improv. Creating for the Fringe has brought her full circle to her pantomime days growing up in Ireland.
Kory May
StorytellerKory May tells stories to make sense of the world. Since the world doesn’t make sense, he continues to tell stories. From childhood storytelling to winning Moth GrandSlams and performing on a Moth Mainstage, Kory has made his mark as a powerhouse storyteller across the Midwest. As a founding member of TellersBridge, an Eastern Iowa storytelling collective, and a facilitator for Story Jam’s “The Cocoon,” he’s deeply committed to building and enriching storytelling communities. His latest venture into personal narrative prose adds another layer to his creative journey. For a taste of his work, check out his appearance on Grit Talks or his feature in the Des Moines Storytellers Project. He’s also shared his talents with Spring Grove Storytelling. Please welcome the tall man with the short name, Kory May.
Hank Roubicek
StorytellerDr. Hank Roubicek is Professor Emeritus of Communication Studies at the University of Houston Downtown. He is an award-winning educator, founder and lead host of So, What’s Your Story? On Houston’s KPFT 90.1 FM, host of the podcast The Story Voice, and author of several books including So, What’s Your Story: Discovering the Story in You. His groundbreaking research in narrative expression has made him an internationally sought-after speaker, storyteller, and workshop facilitator. He is a Houston Moth storytelling champion, a board member of the Tejas Storytelling Association, and past president of the Houston Storytellers Guild. He is the recipient of the “Trailblazers” award issued by Tejas for pioneering storytelling in the Houston area. Hank is also a passionate advocate for tolerance education and a veteran docent at Holocaust Museum Houston. As a storyteller, his tales about being raised by Holocaust Survivors reveal his commitment to helping others stop hatred and apathy by engaging listeners of all ages.
Jon Carlson
Writer. performerI am a lifelong artistic ascetic who has lived most of the past thirty years in the Twin Cities, with a significant fifth of those years spent in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. As an ascetic, I am influenced by the 4th and 5th century monks of the Syrian desert such that as I have worked janitorial and manufacturing jobs, various stints in the building trades and on to twelve years and counting with two railroads. As I switch rail cars in various yards, my ears get bombarded with a remarkable variety of squeals, thuds, shrieks, tinks, thwacks and vibrations that throb not to mention horns that blast, bells that clang and air dryers that sputter: the rollicking steady clack of trains chugging down tracks drives these collisions of sound with rhythmic accompaniment. I am aware that long before me, a great deal of art has been inspired by trains, most especially music. I am indebted to Walt Whitman for my poetics and I also love "Casey Jones" as well as Pat Methany's haunting song "Last Train home." When I grow tired of explaining to people that the Railroad is NOT a dying industry and that trains do not block intersections for no reason, I prescind from mentioning trains and simply declare that I walk on rocks for a living.
Laura Packer
StorytellerLaura Packer knows that the best way to the truth is through a good story. With a degree in folklore and mythology, she has told, taught, ranted, raved, consulted, coached, and considered storytelling around the world. When she isn’t telling, she runs venues, coaches, writes, and helps people and organizations find their stories, hone their vision and use their voices to make the world a better place. She is the winner of many awards, including her 2020 induction into the National Storytelling Network’s Circle of Excellence for standard bearers in the art of storytelling; her 2022 MN fringe show, Becoming Baba Yaga, won staff choice. Her books, From Audience to Zeal: The ABCs of Finding, Crafting, and Telling a Great Story and the accompanying workbook were Storytelling World Award winners. For her story and more, go to www.laurapacker.com and patreon.com/laurapacker
Christine Mounts
Producer of More Better Stories"The Christine" is the co-founder of the American School of Storytelling as well as the chief technologist and box office manager. She is an IT professional by day and a writer by night. She writes and travels as much as a working schlub like her can manage.
More Information
The American School of Storytelling is committed to fostering the narrative oral arts - storytelling, poetry, spoken word, and singer/songwriters - with online and in person classes and performances on our intimate 1762 Hennepin Avenue stage. As a Independent Producer for the MN Fringe we have scheduled a sampling of diverse storytelling styes from local and national performers with each artist presented three times over the course of the Fringe. For more information go to our websiute: https://americanschoolofstorytelling.com/events/
Our performers:
Kory May Thursday, 7/31 @ 8:30 PM - Friday, 8/1 @ 7:00 PM - Saturday, 8/2 @ 4:00 PM
Kory May tells stories to make sense of the world. Since the world doesn’t make sense, he continues to tell stories. From childhood storytelling to winning Moth GrandSlams and performing on a Moth Mainstage, he has made his mark as a powerhouse storyteller across the Midwest. As a founding member of TellersBridge, an Eastern Iowa storytelling collective, and a facilitator for Story Jam’s “The Cocoon,” he’s deeply committed to building and enriching storytelling communities. His latest venture into personal narrative prose adds another layer to his creative journey. For a taste of his work, check out his appearance on Grit Talks or his feature in the Des Moines Storytellers Project. He’s also shared his talents with Spring Grove Storytelling.
Please welcome the tall man with the short name, Kory May.
***
Hank Roubicek Friday, 8/1 @ 8:30 PM - Saturday, 8/2 @ 7:00 PM - Sunday, 8/3 @ 2:30 PM
'Schmaltz on Rye'- The second generation of Holocaust survivors are charged with the responsibility of keeping the voices of their parents and grandparents not only alive, but heard--loudly and clearly, because while apathy and hate are dangerous, they become more threatening when we fail to grasp their powerful narratives. Raised by 2 generations of survivors, Hank Roubicek delivers stories about the unusual power of trauma, humor, and love.
Hank Roubicek is Professor Emeritus of Communication Studies at the University of Houston Downtown. He is founder and lead host of So, What’s Your Story? on Houston’s KPFT 90.1 FM, host of the podcast The Story Voice, and author of several books including So, What’s Your Story: Discovering the Story in You; and contributor to Studies in Mythology published by Oxford Press. He is a Houston Moth storytelling champion, a board member of the Tejas Storytelling Association, and past president of the Houston Storytellers Guild.
***
Laura Packer Saturday, 8/2 @ 2:30 PM - Friday, 8/8 @ 8:30 PM - Saturday, 8/9 @ 7:00 PM
Laura Packer knows that the best way to the truth is through a good story. With a degree in folklore and mythology, she has told, taught, ranted, raved, consulted, coached, and considered storytelling around the world. She is the winner of many awards, including her 2020 induction into the National Storytelling Network’s Circle of Excellence for standard bearers in the art of storytelling; her 2022 MN fringe show, “Becoming Baba Yaga”, won staff choice. Her books, From “Audience to Zeal: The ABCs of Finding, Crafting, and Telling a Great Story” and the accompanying workbook were Storytelling World Award winners. For her story and more, go to www.laurapacker.com and patreon.com/laurapacker
She asks: What happens before once upon a time and after happily ever after? Did Beauty really love the Prince or only the Beast? And what's all that fuss about poisoned apples anyway? Join storyteller Laura Packer for an exploration of the other side of enchantment. No Disney princesses, singing teapots, or emasculated wolves. An evening of retold fairy tales for grownups. Darker. Sexier. Funnier. Grimmer. Her 2025 MN Fringe offering is Fairy Tales for Grown Ups received Five Stars from Nuvo at the Indy Fringe and Best in Fringe, at the KC Fringe.
***
TENACIOUS TARTS (Siobhan Kierans and Karol Laux) Saturday, 8/2 @ 8:30 PM - Sunday, 8/3 @ 4:00 PM, Thursday 8/7 @ 7:00 PM
Karol Baurmeister Laux is a local voice over talent and radio producer/reporter. Being creative and funny comes naturally to her, and it's no surprise she loves improv, stand-up comedy and all aspects of storytelling. If you haven't heard her on the radio, you may have seen her perform stand-up at the Chanhassen Dinner Theater. This is her second time performing at the Fringe, and she is excited to be surrounded by all the amazing talent.
Siobhan Kierans is an award-winning producer, writer, director and on-air talent. As a journalist she loves the flexibility of writing for theater. Performing is in her blood, most recently flexing her creative muscles in Chicago on the radio and in improv. Creating for the Fringe has brought her full circle to her pantomime days growing up in Ireland.
They are offering THE THEATER GHOST. What is a ghost? Is it a person who doesn’t realize they’ve died, or deceased with unfinished business? How can you reconcile your life before you die so you can rest in peace? Set during Covid, a young lady takes a job in an old theater with a history going back to the late 1800's. The past is suddenly the present as she considers her belief in the afterlife and whether there is such a thing as ghosts? A clever, thought-provoking script is mixed with humor, history and self-discovery.
***
Jon Carlson Wednesday, 8/6 @ 8:30 PM - Friday, 8/8 @ 7:00 PM - Saturday 8/9 @ 2:30 PM
I am a lifelong artistic ascetic who has lived most of the past thirty years in the Twin Cities, with a significant fifth of those years spent in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. I have worked janitorial and manufacturing jobs, various stints in the building trades and twelve years and counting with two railroads. When I grow tired of explaining to people that the Railroad is NOT a dying industry and that trains do not block intersections for no reason, I rescind from mentioning trains and simply declare that I walk on rocks for a living.
For the MN Fringe I’m performing Off the Rails. As I switch rail cars in various yards, my ears get bombarded with a remarkable variety of squeals, thuds, shrieks, tinks, thwacks and vibrations that throb (sometimes as mildly distorted warbles but often as heaving walls of sound) not to mention horns that blast, bells that clang and air dryers that sputter: the rollicking steady clack of trains chugging down tracks drives these collisions of sound with rhythmic accompaniment.
***
2 Lorens (Howard Loren Lieberman and Loren Niemi) Thursday 7/31 @ 7:00 PM - Wednesday, 8/6 @ 7:00 PM - Saturday 8/9 @ 8:30 PM
Howard Lieberman and Loren Niemi have been sharing Fringe Festival stages since 2009 with intimate storytelling shows ranging from the romp of “55 Minutes of Sex, Drugs and Audience Participation” to their inquiry of assumptions and prejudice in “How Do You Read Me?”.Each brings a sensibility that grounds personal stories in larger cultural gestalts marked by humor and hard truths. This year's MN Fringe performance is a revisiting (and the last ever performances) of "55 Minutes..." but they promise it will not disappoint.
In addition to their paired performances for the MN Fringe, they will each offer a single solo performance.
Howard Lieberman Thursday, 8/7 @ 8:30 PM
Loren Niemi's "Sauna Cycle" on Saturday 8/9 @ 4:00 PM
