Apply to tell a story!

We're excited to announce the much-anticipated return of Untold Stories, the oral storytelling series presented by the historic Florida Theatre in downtown Jacksonville. As we gear up for our third season, we invite you to step onto the stage and share your unique narrative with a live and engaged audience.

Here are the key details you need to know:

What: Untold Stories, Florida Theatre's oral storytelling series, is back for its third season! Where: Historic Florida Theatre in downtown Jacksonville. How: Share your unique original story (10 to 12 Minutes long) with a live audience. Submission: Send a video (max 2 minutes) detailing your story's essence, connection to Jacksonville, and passion for sharing it. Process: Begin by stating your name (spelled out) and provide your phone number. Email: Send your video to shelissa@floridatheatre.com. Confirmation: You'll receive an acknowledgment receipt upon submission.

Performance Dates and Themes:

• Thursday, November 9, 2023: FALL
• Thursday, February 15, 2024: WINTER
• Thursday, May 30, 2024: SPRING
• Thursday, July 11, 2024: SUMMER

Requirements: Stories must be based on your lived experience. We're seeking storytellers who have experience and are comfortable in front of an audience.

Coaching: If selected, you'll engage in 4-6 in-person/Zoom coaching sessions with the Artistic Director.

Workshop: Participate in a story-shaping workshop with fellow cast members before the event.

Rehearsals: Final rehearsal the Sunday before the show, and a technical rehearsal and sound check on show day.

Promotion: Provide a headshot and bio for promotional purposes, and help promote the event on your social media and contacts.

Compensation: Performers will receive a $100 honorarium, two complimentary tickets, and hours of training to elevate their skills.

Note: Currently, we won't be accepting written descriptions, lengthy stories, or scripts. Please keep your video under 2 minutes.

If you're ready to share your story and be a part of this incredible journey, let's create magic together at Untold Stories! Your voice and tale deserve to be heard.

Born, adopted, and raised in the Southeast, Allison Galloway-Gonzalez received her master’s in Asian Art History from the University of Glasgow, Scotland. After a 20-year career in arts administration and education, she started a consulting firm in 2021. A Jacksonville transplant, Allison arrived in 2009 and has built a family, home and career, and creative social life in this community. 

Drew Lewis Brown earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Digital Filmmaking from The Art Institute of Jacksonville, where he later returned as an adjunct professor of writing and directing. Drew was awarded a Student Academy Award for his thesis film from The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences. He has written, produced, and directed various films and digital content surrounding gender expression, sexual identity, and social issues in the American South. The Jacksonville Mayor’s Office selected Drew as a recipient of the Rising Star Award for outstanding contributions and achievements in Jacksonville’s Film and Television Industry.

Eva Grayzel is a motivational speaker, oral cancer survivor, and patient advocate. A champion for early detection, Eva founded Six-Step Screening - make sure you get an oral cancer screening at every dental checkup! To celebrate her 10th cancer-free anniversary, Eva wrote an award-winning children’s book to promote dialogue and minimize fear around cancer. Follow Eva’s Instagram about the people she meets on Jax Beach, dancing at local venues, and her famous food faces! She competed in the HipHop competition at JWJ Park this past July, the only representative of over 40 (and over 50).

Fuada Velic is a public accountant,  business owner and marathon runner becoming the first women from Bosnia to complete six major marathons in the world and placed in Guinness's Book Of Records.

She serves on multiple advisory boards that involve civil work focusing on immigrant's and women businesses.

After a long career in media, Ron Rothberg “rewired” in 2020 and is now a content creator.  In 2021, Ron launched Art Bikes Jax, a fleet of custom electric bikes created by local artists.  Art Bikes explores the art, architecture, and history of Jacksonville’s historic neighborhoods all while Riding art.  Ron is also the co-host of the podcast “Swan Dive,” which examines pivotal moments in meaningful lives.  Ron and his wife, Christine, are happily feathering their empty nest in Avondale but still have plenty of room and a wide-open door for their grown kids, Tye and Ella, to visit (for a reasonable amount of time). 

Willie Evans Jr. is a multi-talented artist whose 25+ year-long career has included touring the world with his hip-hop group, Asamov. As a creative force, Willie’s recent focus channels his talents to progress societal conversations, hoping to broaden his projects to impact larger audiences. Supported by a 2021 Art Ventures Individual Artist Grant from the Community Foundation of Northeast Florida, Willie’s The Brown Wonder is a multi-media, audio/visual experience that takes the hip-hop technique of sampling a record to create a different sound and applies that to video.