Who are we?
No, YOU Tell It! is a nonfiction reading series that advocates for authentic personal stories by having storytellers speak each other’s words aloud, empowering their voices on the page and stage. Our collaborative workshop process equips writers of all levels with literary tools to elevate the impact of their words. Switching stories to embody each other’s experience in a live performance creates stronger empathetic connections for both the storytellers and audience members.
We value:
- Diversity of storytellers and storytelling styles
- Cooperation over competition
- Generating stories from the inside out to move beyond a prescriptive formula
What do we do?
For each show, the NYTI team — Kelly Jean Fitzsimmons, Mike Dressel, and Erika Iverson — lead four storytellers through two writing workshop sessions to tell their true-life tale on the page. Then about a week before the show, we pair up our storytellers and ask them to trade scripts. When one of our storytellers speaks their partner’s piece aloud, it does two important things: One, it gives that storyteller a chance to step into another person’s shoes. Two, the writer hears their own story in a different voice. Everyone gains new insight into their writing and storytelling as they share these true-life tales with our live audience and podcast listeners.
Watch the video below for a glimpse into our process.
Why donate?
On May 8, 2012, four storytellers gathered for the very first No, YOU Tell It! show. While the idea of trading tales and performing each other's story began as a one-time experiment, the audience was so enthusiastic that we turned NYTI into a series and podcast. Since then, everyone involved has largely volunteered their time and talents in support of our mission to empower voices on the page and stage.
Last year, we received our first grant from the Queens Council on the Arts and took our initial steps toward developing the series into a full-fledged arts organization. Thanks to generous donations by people like yourself, we met our 2019 fundraising goal of $5000 raised and were able to compensate our artists, improve our podcast, and create more opportunities for people to experience each other's stories.
Your check or credit card donation to The Field, our fiscal sponsor, will be transferred to No, YOU Tell It! to help us continue to grow in 2020! We’re grateful for your support. Any size donation you are able to make is welcome and needed. Plus, your donation is tax-deductible (see bottom of the page for more info).
Thanks again for helping us reach out to new storytellers and say, “No, YOU Tell It!”
No, YOU Tell It! is a sponsored artist with Performance Zone Inc (dba The Field), a not-for-profit, tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) organization serving the performing arts community. Contributions to The Field earmarked for No, YOU Tell It! are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. For more information about The Field contact: The Field, 75 Maiden Lane, Suite 906 New York, NY 10038, phone: 212-691-6969; or for our national charities registration, . A copy of our latest financial report may be obtained from The Field or from the Office of Attorney General, Charities Bureau, 120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271.
Performance Zone Inc. (dba The Field) is a not-for-profit, tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) organization serving the performing arts community. Contributions to The Field are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. For more information about The Field contact: The Field, 75 Maiden Lane, Suite 906 New York, NY 10038, 212-691-6969. If you are a resident of one of these states, you may obtain financial information directly from the state agency: FLORIDA - A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE, 1-800-435-7352 (800-HELP-FLA) WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. Florida Registration CH33591. GEORGIA - A full and fair description of the programs of The Field and our financial statement summary is available upon request at the office and phone number indicated above. MARYLAND - For the cost of copies and postage, Office of the Secretary of State, State House, Annapolis, MD 21401. MISSISSIPPI - The organization's official registration and financial information may be obtained from the Mississippi Secretary of State's office by calling 1-888-236- 6167. Registration by the Secretary of State does not imply endorsement. NEW JERSEY - INFORMATION FILED WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL CONCERNING THIS CHARITABLE SOLICITATION AND THE PERCENTAGE OF CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED BY THE CHARITY DURING THE LAST REPORTING PERIOD THAT WERE DEDICATED TO THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY BY CALLING (973) 504-6215 AND IS AVAILABLE ON THE INTERNET AT www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/ocp.htm#charity. REGISTRATION WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT. NEW YORK - Office of the Attorney General, Department of Law, Charities Bureau, 120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271. NORTH CAROLINA - FINANCIAL INFORMATION ABOUT THIS ORGANIZATION AND A COPY OF ITS LICENSE ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE STATE SOLICITATION LICENSING BRANCH AT 1-888-830- 4989. THE LICENSE IS NOT AN ENDORSEMENT BY THE STATE. PENNSYLVANIA - The official registration and financial information of The Field may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll-free, within Pennsylvania, 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement. VIRGINIA - Virginia State Office of Consumer Affairs, Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, PO Box 1163, Richmond, VA 23218. WASHINGTON - Charities Division, Office of the Secretary of State, State of Washington, Olympia, WA 98504- 0422, 1-800-332-4483. WEST VIRGINIA - Residents may obtain a summary of the registration and financial documents from the Secretary of State, State Capitol, Charleston, WV, 25305. Registration with any of these state agencies does not imply endorsement, approval or recommendation by the state.
