By Lookout Staff

January 7, 2015 -- SHINE Storytelling kicks off the New Year on Saturday, January 24, with a special performance as part of the 6th annual “Fireside at the Miles,” a Santa Monica cultural festival at the historic Miles Memorial Playhouse.

The evening’s theme will be “Light My Fire!,” with storytellers sharing true stories of people and events that inspired them in love, friendships, careers and other aspects of their lives. The Saturday performance will be at 8 p.m. at the Playhouse, 1130 Lincoln Blvd.

SHINE, a series in which storytellers gather monthly with a variety of tales for audiences, will be hosted this month by Andrea Schell, a performer, writer and producer.

Schell recently performed her solo show, “From Seven Layers to a Bikini Top in Less Than Five Hours,” as part of Santa Monica Repertory Theater’s Solo Series. She is also associate producer on the independent film “Tiger Orange.”

In addition, Schell created, produced and hosted the web show “What Would Men say?” (www.evoxtelevision.com). She can also be seen a SHINE storyteller and elsewhere in the Los Angeles are.

Live music at the event will be provided by Cat Zebron, a singer, guitarist, keyboardist and songwriter.

Professional storytellers for SHINE are chosen from some of the nation’s top award-winning storytellers and writers. Amateur storytellers also take the stage.
Submissions are accepted up to three weeks before the event.

Those interested in becoming a SHINE storyteller are encouraged to visit www.StoreyProductions.com in advance for monthly theme and guidelines.

SHINE is produced by Isabel Storey and presented by Storey Productions in association with Santa Monica Repertory Theater, UCLArts and Healing, and the YWCA Women’s Partnership.