For more than a decade, we've grown accustomed to the First Person Arts Festival blasting out the emotion, random thoughts and sharp wit of its talented storytellers.

That's all about to change.

A new curatorial vision and the biggest headliners in its history notwithstanding, the biggest difference is First Person Arts' renewed posture as a "listening organization."

"In our next decade, FPA will be a platform for sharing the compelling stories that must be told now," says first-year Executive Director Jamie J. Brunson. "So naturally, we started with a call to artists and asked them to propose projects. When we looked at the responses, it was very clear waht compelling stories artist were working with.

"We built the entire festival around them. Our curatorial vision is simply to be a listening organization that provides a stage for telling stories and a seat for listening to them.  And this is the best region in the world for that."'Them' includes headliners like comedienne Janeane Garofalo and fellow comic and the creator of RISK! Kevin Allison. RISK! is a featured storytelling event that involves Garofalo and Allison riffing on the theme "thanks." It will even include Brunson herself getting in on the action.

As for the rest of this year's stories? Expect to hear about the themes legacy, heritage, family and identity. The festival includes nearly two dozen events and runs from Nov. 7-17 at Christ Church Neighborhood House and other venues throughout Philadelphia.
 

Flying Kite (FK): What kind of impact does having someone like Janeane Garofalo involved in the festival have?  
Jamie Brunson (JB): Not only is she amazingly entertaining, but having Janeane involved in the Festival allows our storytellers to be exposed to an artistic role model of excellence.  Four FPA storytellers (myself included) are a part of the show, RISK! It’s an amazing opportunity for FPA storytellers to share the stage with Janeane and Kevin Allison, the creator of RISK!, and a fantastic comedian himself.

 

FK: How were you able to land Ms. Garafalo?  
JB: I have to say that it was a synergy between Kevin Allison, Janeane and my fabulous team at FPA. Philly is a great town to be in and we all really wanted it to happen.  

 

FK: What will it be like to have Sonia Sanchez, Bernice Johnson Reagon and Toshi Reagon talking on the same stage? 
JB: This performance will be one of a kind.  Never before have the three performed on stage together.  I expect these three exquisite voices will ring like thunder throughout the entire Festival.  That's why we have put them in the Christ Church Sanctuary -- a fitting place for such important artists.

 

FK: What has been the biggest challenge in your first year as ED? 
JB: Filling Vicki Solot's shoes.  Keeping up with Dan, Liz, Karina, Nancy and Becca and an outstanding, committed board! .Their energy, their enthusiasm, their love -- the best challenges one can have.

 

FK: How did FPA's new curatorial vision develop?  
JB: It started with the core belief that rooted our first decade of work -- everyone has a story to tell, and that by sharing our stories we connect through our common, shared experiences.  That means that without someone's powerful story, we won't exist. I quickly realized that for us to remain relevant, we couldn't tell the region what stories were important, the region would have to tell us -- and we'd have to be the platform for artists and everyday people.
 

FK: What's one FPAF event you're particularly excited about and why?
JB: You're kidding right? (laughs) I think I'd have to say PNC Arts Alive Story Day.  Over the year, FPA worked in partnership with Mural Arts, the City of Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services to conduct storytelling workshops in South and North Philly with two separate groups of youth- North Philly teens and Karen child refugees. We captured their stories of resiliency and triumph over some significant challenges.  The last day of the Festival, these compelling stories will be presented to a live audience.  Later, a mural tribute will be unveiled.  I was personally involved with the workshops in North Philly, and met some truly beautiful young people.  I'm particularly excited to see their lives celebrated in this way.   At the end of the day, this work gives a profound sense of meaning to what we do. 

JOE PETRUCCI is managing editor of Flying Kite. Send feedback here.