February 27, 2024

Music

Duncan Carling, Instrumental Jazz and Blues

Stories

  • Bill Zarchy,  Ecstasy at the Altar
  • Natacha Ruck,  Surprise Movie Night
  • Brian Leonard,  Therapist Zero


About the Performers

Duncan Carling is a lawyer, guitarist, and exasperated parent of teenagers. In his spare time, he enjoys carbohydrates and looking at his phone. He lives in Oakland. 

Bill Zarchy circumnavigated the globe many times during his 40 years as a cinematographer, as captured in his memoir, Showdown at Shinagawa: Tales of Filming from Bombay to Brazil.  Now he likes to write novels and tell tales about his work and travels across six continents. Bill’s debut novel is Finding George Washington: A Time Travel Tale. He is a graduate of the EPIC Storytelling Program at Stagebridge in Oakland.

Natacha Ruck‘s solo show, You’re good for nothing… I’ll milk the cow myself, was developed at the Marsh and StageWerx and is headed to Fresno and Montreal this Spring.  She’s developing a new hour-long show based on her experiences as an interpreter at international film festivals.

Brian Leonard is an actor, writer, and director who lives in Oakland with his much more talented wife and much, much smarter daughter. He’s written comedy for BBC Radio, was a story consultant for Pixar, and had a long career in stand-up, appearing on numerous brick-wall shows (the San Jose Mercury says that Brian is “… one of San Francisco’s most intelligent and funniest comedians.”) His stage work includes SF Shakespeare, Center Repertory, Theaterworks, and George Coates Performance Works, among others. You can see Brian in the films Bottle Shock, Bee Season, and The Bachelor.

October 29, 2023

Stagebridge Partnership Performance

Collage of performers: Eleanor Clement Glass, Magda Peck, Gerry Keenan, Melinda Ginne

Music

Misha Safran, Singer/Songwriter

Misha Safran singing

Stories

Eleanor Clement GlassNot in Kansas Anymore!

Magda PeckHearing Change

Gerry KeenanAn Ark on Wheels

Melinda GinneThree Therapists and a Psychic


About the Performers

Misha Safran has been singing and creating songs since she was five years young—that’s 50 years! Growing up, Misha also spent a lot of time listening to folk songs, classic rock, and the blues. Today, Misha is a social justice song writer and sings about topics that are sometimes uncomfortable but thought-provoking and relatable to many. Check out Misha’s YouTube channel.

Eleanor Clement Glass delights children with folktales from around the world as a Volunteer Storyteller at the Asian Art Museum. She also tells personal family stories from her Black and Filipino cultures. Eleanor contributes to Asian American Storytopia, a YouTube channel offering Asian folktales and cultural activities by Asian American Storytellers for young children (K-5), as a way to combat Asian hate. As a cultural ambassador with Eth-Noh-Tec, she has exchanged stories with storytellers in China and South Korea. 

Magda Peck has been known throughout her career for weaving powerful personal stories into leadership practice for the public’s health and equity. About 10 years ago, she took a deeper dive into the art and science of storytelling for social change, first as an Urban StoryTelling Fellow with Ex Fabula in Milwaukee, then with StoryCenter and StageBridge, in Oakland.  Her latest intergenerational collaboration, SquareRoot Stories, builds storytelling skills and strategies in communities across the country for healthier women, children and families. Magda loves how a light cracks through when our hardest stories are honed and heard from the inside out.

Gerry Keenan has been telling stories for many years as a writer and fine art photographer. Ten years ago she decided to add spoken word telling to her lexicon of written word stories and the stories her photos evoke. She thinks stories may be in her DNA as she grew up intrigued by her Irish father’s ‘gift of gab’ and her Polish mother’s family tales of ‘the old country’ and credits Stagebridge and its EPIC program for giving her the tools to take her stories on-stage.

Melinda Ginne, Ph.D., is a psychologist with over 40 years of experience in geriatrics and treating the psychological aspects of major medical illnesses. She draws inspiration from Glinda the Good Witch (Billie Burke), Oliver Sacks, Sid Caesar, and Imogene Coca. For generations, her family lived in Boyle Heights, the Jewish-Latino comunidad of East Los Angeles where tacos were kosher and the Shul was directly across the street from the Catholic Church. She is a graduate of the EPIC storytelling program at Stagebridge in Oakland and has been telling stories on Bay Area stages for many years.

August 29, 2023

Music

Collage of headshots: Cathy Bowman, Neshama Franklin, Ed Klaus, Ike Torres

Kadie Kelly, piano, guitar and vocals

Stories

Cathy BowmanFour Legs and a Funeral

Neshama FranklinMy brilliant careers

Ed Klaus, LetGovia: In a Box, to the Left

Ike TorresTripping Balls with Washington


About the Performers

Cathy Bowman is an award-winning cartoonist, writer and illustrator interested in the intersection of words and pictures and how we tell our stories. Before becoming an educator, she served in the Peace Corps and worked as a journalist. Born and raised in the Bay Area, she makes art, writes and teaches. 

Neshama Franklin has been telling stories ever since she could talk. She got her professional start in ’89 at Marin County Library where she still works, and  has performed  all over the place ever since. She tells both personal and folk tales. She also has a radio show on KWMR and a weekly blog at Marin County Library.  Check her out on YouTube.

Ed Klaus has a burning “create or die” passion. Naturally in tune with his emotions since a child, he paints every scene with authentic passion, whether on stage or behind the camera. He studied acting at University of Wisconsin-Madison and flexed his performance prowess on many collegiate ensembles. When he is not acting, Ed transforms into Mr Klaus, an elementary school teacher with a heart of gold.

Ike Torres is a master of blending theatre, spoken word, and comedy to create unforgettable solo shows and performances. With a unique artistic vision, Ike takes audiences on transformative journeys, challenging conventions and evoking laughter and introspection. From intimate venues to national stages, his work has captivated audiences across the country. 

June 27, 2023

18th Anniversary Celebration!

Collage of performer headshots: Joshua Raoul Brody, Lisa Safran, Jeremy Greco
Collage of performers' photos: Scott Cohen, Bridget Frederick, Rebecca Fisher, Cynthia Cudaback

Music

Joshua Raoul Brody, piano and vocals
Joshua will be taking requests (although he doesn’t promise to play them all.) Hint: he knows a lot of Beatles songs. Like, all of them.

Stories

Cynthia CudabackLessons from a Wheelchair
I used to look back at my life, wondering if there were one thing I would change if I could. No sooner did I find that one thing than it turned out to have saved my life.

Jeremy GrecoThe Big Snap
On March 17th, 2020, a lockdown was announced in San Francisco, Jeremy Greco decided to document each day by taking a picture.  From these pictures, Greco conducted a series of interviews of people from all walks of life: head of the SF Republican party John Dennis, author Nicole Galland, and many others—all of whom discussed their year of COVID, Trump, and their hopes for the future (without snapping).” 

Lisa SafranScenes of a Mother
An Oreo cookie kiss, a murdered Bonsai plant, a captive piano and a therapist mom are all part of Scenes of a Mother; a coming of age story in Berkeley in the ’70s. 

Scott Cohen, If It’s 7:30 in the Living Room, What Time Is It In The Kitchen?
Is an Egg McMuffin really a symbol of religious oppression?  The question will be answered in this nostalgic piece in which Scott reflects on his childhood and the lessons he learned from his loving, unconventional grandparents.  


About the Performers

Joshua Raoul Brody  has been a regular at all the Marsh venues over its 30+ year history, collaborating with Merle Kessler, The Residents, A Karen Carpenter Xmas, Marga Gomez, Josh Kornbluth, Pulp Playhouse, and countless others, as well as doing his own work. He’s also done a bunch of other stuff. Drop him a line at mail@jraoul.org to be put on his mailing list, or just to say hi.

Cynthia Cudaback, an Oakland native, grew up hiking in the Sierra Nevada and developed a passion for protecting the environment. While working on her PhD in oceanography, she met her husband and got involved in storytelling. These threads weave together in her teaching stories.  

Jeremy Greco’s first solo show, With Held, directed by Mark Kenward, was based on six months of interviews with San Francisco mail artist and writer John Held Jr.  Greco performed his most recent solo work, Keeping Up with the Jorgensons—also directed by Mark Kenward—throughout the U.S., including the 2017 San Francisco Fringe Festival (where it won a “Best of” award honors), and a Discovery Run at The Marsh. 

Lisa Safran is a Bay Area writer, improvisor, and musician. Venturing into solo performing, she began working on this piece with David Ford last year, bringing in Julia McNeal, and most recently Joyful Raven to support additional direction. Lisa has two published books, including Executive Presence—Improv Style! She also coaches leaders around the globe. 

Scott Cohen is a storyteller and comedian, but only at night.  By day, he is a mild-mannered accountant and no one knows how funny he is.    

April 25, 2023

Collage of headshots of tonight's performers

Stories

Carole Klyce, Flight Risk
When Carole was 12 she was sent to live in a group home for girls. Next stop was Juvenile Correction. Run with her through six years living on her own and supporting herself. How did she do it?

Precious HicksFull circle moments
A story of triumph from a broken place: one that depicts how old wounds can show up as new faces and how starting your healing journey can bring you to safety.

Ben Tucker, Sentimental Journey
A road trip with Ben’s son to a family reunion in Louisiana brings back bitter sweet memories.


About the Performers

Carole Klyce took a writing class called, Write your Life with Anne Randolf 9 years ago. With encouragement from Ann and David Ford she began writing and performing excerpts of her unusual life experience growing up on her own.
 
Precious Hicks is a life and wellness coach and mental health advocate. She was born and raised in San Francisco. Unfortunately, Precious found herself in an abusive relationship that led her to incarceration after a failed attempt at leaving. While incarcerated she discovered that many people had trauma way before prison, which led her to create her wellness business, A Pocket of Sunshine. Now she has helped hundreds of people in their journey to heal and de-stress, including incarcerated women. Precious is also a member of the Formerly Incarcerated People Performance Project which develops and presents the stories of those impacted by incarceration and the justice system.
 
Ben Tucker
, a.k.a. Brother Ben, is a storyteller, singer, author and Podcaster. He tells personal stories and historical unsung hero tales. iambentucker.com. You can find his podcast on Spotify: Storytelling time with Brother Ben.

March 28, 2023

Collage of headshots of tonight's performers

Stories

Kat Meltzer, Nature Nurture Time Travel
When we are little, we make sense of ourselves and our world as best we can. Kat Meltzer explores the origins of her lifelong battle with depression, and offers a powerful portrait of the child whose spirit helps her fight back.

Annamarie MacLeod,Reasons He Had to Die
Is it vengeance or justice? 2 historical poisoners and a mythological gorgon share their thoughts on murder.

Anthony Michael Jefferson (AJ),The Bumpy Road Less Traveled
Tragedy and triumph of faith, hope and, awareness of the spirit.


About the Performers

Kat Meltzer (info coming soon)

Annamarie MacLeod  is a local creator of several solo shows. Her first show, Full Fathom Five, about post-partum depression and mermaids, was accepted into the SF Fringe Festival in 2020. Someday, she wants to write something funny.

Anthony Michael Jefferson (AJ) is a Le Cordon Bleu trained Chef, actor, and activist.  He has been performing locally for the past four years.  The first role he landed was in The Box, which toured nationally.  The Box depicts the persistence of humanity despite the torture of solitary confinement.  He has performed at the Marsh SF, with the Marin Shakespeare Company, and at the Monkey House Theater in Berkeley. AJ is also a Fellow in the Formerly Incarcerated People’s Performance Project

February 28, 2023

Stories

Collage of headshots of tonight's performers: Dara Kosberg, Algiin Ford, Pearl Ong
  • Dara Kosberg, Do-Gooder
  • Algiin Ford, Behold I Make All Things New
  • Pearl Ong, The Aunts


About the Performers

Dara Kosberg is a San Francisco based writer, comedian and storyteller. She’s the Program Director of Reimagine, a nonprofit that helps people face adversity and loss. As part of their community-driven arts festivals that explore the end of life, she’s produced comedy shows about grief and loss. In her free time, she’s co-writing a workplace comedy sitcom which features the character in her piece “Do-Gooder”. 

Algiin Ford is a Bay Area-based writer and actor. With over 20 years of experience as a yoga instructor and wellness professional, Algiin brings a unique physicality and performance to all of his work. Algiin’s wide-ranging theater credits include classics like Skin Of Our Teeth  and Fences, as well as experimental plays and his own original works.

Pearl Ung has been performing short autobiographical storytelling pieces since 2019, and has performed at Solo Sunday at Stage Werx in San Francisco, Monday Nights at the Marsh, Tell it On Tuesday, and the Marsh International Solo Festival (online). Critics have raved: ‘Meh’; ‘Amy Tan she’s not’; ‘Laughable’.

January 31, 2023

Collage of headshots of this evening's performers: Karen Ripley, Bill Zarchy, Maryclare McCaulety

Stories

  • Karen Ripley,  On Line Funeral 
  • Maryclare McCauley,  The Road to Revenge
  • Bill Zarchy,  The Battle of the Bay


About the Performers

Karen Ripley has been performing for over 35 years as a comic and improviser. She came on to the gay comedy scene in 1977 in San Francisco. She was featured on the cover of the East Bay Express with Whoopi Goldberg in the mid-80’s. She won 2005 SF Fringe Best Musical Comedy with Annie Larson, in the original play Show Me where it Hurts. Featured in 2007 Logo TV’s Wisecrack, episode 2. Ripley’s original show Oh No, There’s Men On The Land!, received Theatre Eddy’s Top 5 Solo Shows in 2015. 

Maryclare McCauley has been writing and telling stories for the past 15 years. She has a theater background that includes performing in contemporary, classical and science plays, circus work, improvisation and dance. Presently she is learning to play the ukulele and read with a kindle rather than a paper book! Practicing the ukulele is easier! (I know…it’s complicated) 

Bill Zarchy circumnavigated the globe many times during his 40 years as a cinematographer, as chronicled in his memoir, Showdown at Shinagawa: Tales of Filming from Bombay to Brazil. Now he likes to write novels and tell tales about his work and travels across six continents. His latest book is Finding George Washington: A Time Travel Tale.

November 29, 2022

Collage of publicity photos of performers David Kleinberg, Abbey Glover, Harriet Patterson

Stories

  • Harriet Patterson, How do you like your eggs?
  • Abbey Glover, The Nightrunner (an excerpt)
  • David Kleinberg, He Wants to Run


About the Performers

Harriet Patterson is a Bay-Area based writer, solo performer and nonprofit executive. She has appeared on Bay Area stages at Solo Sundays, Monday Night Marsh and Tell It On Tuesdays. Her first solo show, Sail On!, appeared at the 2018 San Francisco Fringe Festival and the 2017 Boulder International Fringe Festival. Her second show, Unfriending Texas, was developed and workshopped at The Marsh. A native of Dallas, Texas, Harriet lives in the East Bay with her husband and 2 year old daughter. 

Abbey Glover is a San Francisco-based writer, storyteller, and performer. Her work is anchored in a desire to say things that many people think and feel but don’t say aloud for fear of shame, embarrassment, or rejection. Sometimes those things come out funny, sometimes dark, but always, ultimately, hopeful.

David Kleinberg was a writer/editor for the S.F. Chronicle for 34 years, the last 14 as editor of the Sunday Datebook. He then spent 10 years as a stand-up comedian, appearing with five of what Comedy Central labels as the top 100 comedians of all time (Robin Williams, Dana Carvey, Richard Lewis, Bobby Slayton and Sinbad). This is David’s fourth solo theater work, following two works on the Vietnam war: Hey, Hey, LBJ!, about David’s year as an army combat correspondent, and Return to the Scene of the Crime, returning to Vietnam after 50 years to try to perform LBJ in Saigon under threat of arrest from the communist regime.

October 25, 2022

Stories

  • Tracy Vernon, Have I Become Crusty Mrs. Krutchmeyer, The Teacher I Hated?
  • Wayne Harris, “Liner Notes 1964”
  • Lisa Rothman, The Scavenger Hunt


About the Performers

Tracy Vernon is an award winning public school teacher working in the East Bay. She enjoys sharing her stories from the classroom and beyond, including how her childhood experiences influence and guide her as a teacher.

Wayne Harris is an award-winning solo performer, writer, educator, curriculum innovator and musician. Wayne’s plays include Mother’s MilkThe May Day Parade, Train Stories, Tyrone Shortleg Johnson and Some White Boys ,and Jockamo. 

Lisa Rothman has entertained audiences in Northern California, Canada, Europe and Asia (all at the same time) with her interactive online show Work From Home: Well That’s Fun, a farce about how her husband’s desk is in their hallway right in front of the bathroom door. It’s raised $30,000 for worthy organizations. She loves creating art that helps build community and recently transformed her backyard in Oakland into a theater.