Throckmorton Theatre’s StoryNights sources high-caliber performers from the worlds of standup, slam poetry, and acting to tell personal stories live onstage. The storytelling event creates a vicarious experience for its audience, with a wide spectrum of first-person stories that introduce you to someone else’s world.
On Thursday evening, October 4th, StoryNights returns to the Throckmorton with a top-notch lineup including Theatre Bay Area nominee for Outstanding Solo Performance Steve Budd. Also taking the stage is San Francisco Bay Guardian’s “Best Comedian” Shanti Charan, best-selling author & San Francisco Comedy Festival’s 2018 champion David Nihill, Moth GrandSlam finalist Jeff Hanson, NPR’s Snap Judgment storyteller Scott Sanders, and Comedy Central’s Clusterfest comedian Mark Smalls.
STORYTELLER BIOS
Steve Budd
Steve Budd is an actor, writer, storyteller, standup comic, and solo performer. His award-winning solo show “What They Said About Love,” is the Theatre Bay Area nominee for Outstanding Solo Production, and was the Best of Fringe winner at the 2016 San Francisco Fringe Festival. Steve has performed at many Bay Area venues including The Marsh, The San Francisco Fringe Festival, Tell It On Tuesday, T.M.I., Busting Out, The Shout, The Vent, and Solo Sundays. He’s also acted with many local theater companies, including the San Francisco Playhouse, Custom Made, the New Conservatory, Impact, and Marin Shakespeare. Steve has performed in L.A., Boston, and Israel. His extensive on-camera work includes industrials, commercials, independent films, and a web series.
Shanti Sharan
Shanti Charan is a Bay Area favorite and a regular at every local club including San Francisco Punch Line and Cobb’s. Charan was recently named San Francisco Bay Guardian’s “Best Comedian” in their Annual “Best of SF” edition. SF Weekly awarded Shanti “Best Stand Up on the Way Up,” stating Charan’s writing is “clever and confident beyond her years.” Shanti co-produces a monthly showcase called “Do What You Love: Comedy Series” in the heart of San Francisco. She also produces and hosts a Culinary Comedy web series “Mixing Masala with Shanti.” The show gives audiences a fun, entertaining and fresh look into Indian cooking and South Asian flavors.
Jeff Hanson
Jeff has won a four Moth StorySlams and been a multi time GrandSlam finalist at the 1,400-seat Castro Theatre. His storytelling style is multi-layered and contemplative. He specializes in tales of heartbreak, redemption, and athletic competition against C-list celebrities. If you don’t get the point of his story, just wait. It’ll hit you next time you have a break up with the love of your life and her dog. You may have seen him at The Marsh, Freedom Archives, the Mill Valley Library, or at your local Safeway contemplating sweet potatoes.
David Nihill
Leaving Dublin, Ireland, where he was born and raised until the age of 22, David got drunk on travel and never quite hit the sobriety of it. A bestselling author, David has been featured in Inc, NPR, Huffington Post, Forbes, Lifehacker and the Irish Times, and was recently part of the Irish Kings of Comedy Tour, SF Sketchfest, the Ventura Comedy Festival, Ukiah Comedy Alley, and the Kansas City Irish Festival. A multiple Moth Storyslam winner, Grandslam finalist and occasional host David has also told tales at Porchlight, The Naked Truth, Fireside and Litquake. Always a funny storyteller, these days he calls San Francisco home when immigration officials permit.
Scott Sanders
Scott Sanders is an ex-actor / ex-New Yorker who moved to the left coast 15 years ago and is still wrestling with cross cultural challenges. Scott introduced graffiti / urban tagging to the Inner Mongolian territories. He’s participated in multiple Moth GrandSlams and told tales for NPR’s Snap Judgment, Fireside, Porchlight, BustingOut Storytelling, StorySlam Oakland and LitQuake. He’s proud to have told his stories at multiple Moth Mainstage events.
Mark Smalls
Mark Smalls is an emerging unapologetic San Francisco comedian. He was featured in the SF SketchFest Dozens 2017, placed 3rd in the 42nd SF International Comedy Competition and was recently part of Comedy Central’s Clusterfest. Mark has opened for The Sklar Bros, Ian Bagg and more.
