Program
March 3, 2023
March 3, 2023
At SpokenStory, we believe storytelling is an act of service,
not an act of self.
Great storytelling serves the story,
its audience,
its fellow storytellers,
and the community it builds.
Above all, storytelling holds an inherent responsibility to those who give us
the gift of their time and attention.
not an act of self.
Great storytelling serves the story,
its audience,
its fellow storytellers,
and the community it builds.
Above all, storytelling holds an inherent responsibility to those who give us
the gift of their time and attention.
ACT ONE
Grandma Had a Better Idea
Wendy Bonifield
Lessons Learned from a Giant Pretzel
Holly Gibson
A Tale of a Fateful Trip
Roger Hunt
Stranger Than Pulp Fiction
Jon Bowles
Intermission—15 to 20 minutes
ACT TWO
Wedding Day Savagery
Beks Stone
The Uninvited Guest
Keith Chapman
Humbled
Cal Hutson
Grandma Had a Better Idea
Wendy Bonifield
Lessons Learned from a Giant Pretzel
Holly Gibson
A Tale of a Fateful Trip
Roger Hunt
Stranger Than Pulp Fiction
Jon Bowles
Intermission—15 to 20 minutes
ACT TWO
Wedding Day Savagery
Beks Stone
The Uninvited Guest
Keith Chapman
Humbled
Cal Hutson
Proceeds from tonight's event will go to
Imago Performing Arts.
Learn more at www.imagoarts.org
or follow us on social media @ImagoArtsKC
Imago Performing Arts.
Learn more at www.imagoarts.org
or follow us on social media @ImagoArtsKC
Storyteller Bios
Wendy Bonifield
Wendy Bonifield and her husband, Randy, met at summer camp when they were fourteen and have been married for 33 years. Residing in Overland Park, Kansas, Wendy and Randy are the parents of three adult daughters and two perfect grandchildren. Wendy is the host, chief writer, and story curator for On Carlson Drive, a story podcast from boogielamb music and media. On Carlson Drive takes a look at the tales we tell and the people we get to know through the stories they share.
Jon Bowles
Jon is the founding pastor of Beggars Table, a church in the Kansas City Crossroads District which, among other things, runs and operates an art gallery. He has written for multiple journals and in 2010 published his first book, Art & Faith. He is married to his wife, Kari, and for the first time in years, both of their children, Palmer and Elli, are away at school. Jon and Kari have the TV to themselves!
Keith Chapman
Keith is an industrial control systems engineer, originally from Ottawa, Kansas. He, his wife Christal and their three sons have lived in Peculiar, Missouri since 2016. Keith fancies himself an artsy-fartsy creative type, but he is also a slacker so he doesn't produce much. SpokenStorySlamKC is his first creative endeavor in several years. He is also a theology geek and a huge fan of punk rock music.
Holly Gibson
Holly resides with her husband and three children in Overland Park. She graduated from K-State University with a degree in Elementary Education, and an Area of Concentration in Spanish. Holly enjoys teaching and getting to know the students at Kansas City Christian School. She enjoys dancing, fitness, cooking, traveling and writing poems about her healing journey. Holly can be found at her church, Beggar’s Table, hosting artists at First Friday events and leading a small group.
Roger Hunt
In his quest for becoming a Renaissance Man, Jolly Roger Hunt enjoys things that end in "ing." This includes writing, hiking, painting, cooking, and guitar"ing," but not so much public speaking! With a degree in English Literature, Roger has made hundreds of dollars in his career and has written novels, screenplays, and short stories which collect dust on Google docs. He loves to travel, and keeps a journal (in his head) for all of his adventures. Tonight’s travel tale will add to his repertoire.
Cal Hutson
Cal is a father of three, husband of one, and is a local business owner. He has a background in journalism, enjoys documentaries, plays guitar badly, and loves writing bios about himself in the third person.
Beks Stone
Rebecca is a graphic designer living and working in Kansas City. She is also an illustrator, photographer, Twitch streamer, and small-business owner. The visual arts are her jam, so please be kind for her first-ever storytelling experience! Aside from being an artist, she is also a proud dog mom of an Italian Greyhound. Belgian-style ales, fun conversation, and good coffee are quick ways to her heart!
Wendy Bonifield and her husband, Randy, met at summer camp when they were fourteen and have been married for 33 years. Residing in Overland Park, Kansas, Wendy and Randy are the parents of three adult daughters and two perfect grandchildren. Wendy is the host, chief writer, and story curator for On Carlson Drive, a story podcast from boogielamb music and media. On Carlson Drive takes a look at the tales we tell and the people we get to know through the stories they share.
Jon Bowles
Jon is the founding pastor of Beggars Table, a church in the Kansas City Crossroads District which, among other things, runs and operates an art gallery. He has written for multiple journals and in 2010 published his first book, Art & Faith. He is married to his wife, Kari, and for the first time in years, both of their children, Palmer and Elli, are away at school. Jon and Kari have the TV to themselves!
Keith Chapman
Keith is an industrial control systems engineer, originally from Ottawa, Kansas. He, his wife Christal and their three sons have lived in Peculiar, Missouri since 2016. Keith fancies himself an artsy-fartsy creative type, but he is also a slacker so he doesn't produce much. SpokenStorySlamKC is his first creative endeavor in several years. He is also a theology geek and a huge fan of punk rock music.
Holly Gibson
Holly resides with her husband and three children in Overland Park. She graduated from K-State University with a degree in Elementary Education, and an Area of Concentration in Spanish. Holly enjoys teaching and getting to know the students at Kansas City Christian School. She enjoys dancing, fitness, cooking, traveling and writing poems about her healing journey. Holly can be found at her church, Beggar’s Table, hosting artists at First Friday events and leading a small group.
Roger Hunt
In his quest for becoming a Renaissance Man, Jolly Roger Hunt enjoys things that end in "ing." This includes writing, hiking, painting, cooking, and guitar"ing," but not so much public speaking! With a degree in English Literature, Roger has made hundreds of dollars in his career and has written novels, screenplays, and short stories which collect dust on Google docs. He loves to travel, and keeps a journal (in his head) for all of his adventures. Tonight’s travel tale will add to his repertoire.
Cal Hutson
Cal is a father of three, husband of one, and is a local business owner. He has a background in journalism, enjoys documentaries, plays guitar badly, and loves writing bios about himself in the third person.
Beks Stone
Rebecca is a graphic designer living and working in Kansas City. She is also an illustrator, photographer, Twitch streamer, and small-business owner. The visual arts are her jam, so please be kind for her first-ever storytelling experience! Aside from being an artist, she is also a proud dog mom of an Italian Greyhound. Belgian-style ales, fun conversation, and good coffee are quick ways to her heart!
Special thanks from the folks at Imago
To Kelli Sallman--workshop instructor, Grammar Queen (sung to the tune of Abba’s Dancing Queen), wise counselor, word crafter extraordinaire, and friend.
To Jon Bowles--emcee, master storyteller, purveyor of deep thoughts, the spark for SpokenStorySlamKC, and partner-in-crime. Human connection? It’s your jam. Just sayin’.
To our storytellers—Beks, Cal, Holly, Jon, Keith, Roger, Wendy—you’re living proof that storytelling is an act of service. Deepest thanks for your vulnerability and generosity in sharing your story!
To Jonathan Jones--videographer and social media coordinator—who deeply understands the importance of the spoken word and the visual message.
To Karen Krahn--Imago’s executive director and Bobbie’s left hemisphere. Thank you for your selfless service and dedication!
To Bobbie Jeffrey--Imago's artistic director who keeps the ideas and energy rolling. Your enthusiasm and warm heart are unrivaled.
To Callie Johnson--who still finds the “Audience of One” concept compelling enough to ask about its origins and who delights in his eyes upon her.
To Maria Jones and Karen Krahn—who have brought us more than concessions tonight. They’re our welcome mat, our springboard, our heart and soul.
To Josh Evers, sound technician—thank you for your willingness to help the story be heard!
To Jon Bowles, Bruce Jeffrey, Jonathan Jones, Maria Jones, Karen Krahn, and Melissa Matthews who gave so graciously of their time to set up and tear down. Stories matter, and thank you for making our story a part of yours.
To the good folks at Beggars Table who shared their space generously, with kind hospitality, and with open hearts
To Jon Bowles--emcee, master storyteller, purveyor of deep thoughts, the spark for SpokenStorySlamKC, and partner-in-crime. Human connection? It’s your jam. Just sayin’.
To our storytellers—Beks, Cal, Holly, Jon, Keith, Roger, Wendy—you’re living proof that storytelling is an act of service. Deepest thanks for your vulnerability and generosity in sharing your story!
To Jonathan Jones--videographer and social media coordinator—who deeply understands the importance of the spoken word and the visual message.
To Karen Krahn--Imago’s executive director and Bobbie’s left hemisphere. Thank you for your selfless service and dedication!
To Bobbie Jeffrey--Imago's artistic director who keeps the ideas and energy rolling. Your enthusiasm and warm heart are unrivaled.
To Callie Johnson--who still finds the “Audience of One” concept compelling enough to ask about its origins and who delights in his eyes upon her.
To Maria Jones and Karen Krahn—who have brought us more than concessions tonight. They’re our welcome mat, our springboard, our heart and soul.
To Josh Evers, sound technician—thank you for your willingness to help the story be heard!
To Jon Bowles, Bruce Jeffrey, Jonathan Jones, Maria Jones, Karen Krahn, and Melissa Matthews who gave so graciously of their time to set up and tear down. Stories matter, and thank you for making our story a part of yours.
To the good folks at Beggars Table who shared their space generously, with kind hospitality, and with open hearts
Please take a minute to complete this short survey to let us know how your experience went this evening!
Thank you for coming to SpokenStorySlamKC!
