STORYECTOMY*

Storyectomy* is a community-driven mental health initiative using the art of storytelling and comedy to provide light, love, and healing.

WHAT IS STORYECTOMY*?

Storyectomy is a social justice "storymaking" mentorship focusing on using our real, raw, and personal lived experiences to find healing, destigmatize societal shame, and open our eyes to accepting and empathizing with all people. Each Storyectomy “cohort” has up to 10 participants and revolves around a shared theme or life experience that will be our communal focus for the six week class and mental health initiative. Storyectomy educators safely guide participants to find their own voice, create and compose their own hero’s journey, and discover the power in sharing it with a world wide audience to help foster compassion for ourselves and others.

“A dazzlingly inclusive, intimate, hilarious, and joyful evening...”

— Storyectomy* Audience

  • "The importance of diversity of stories and backgrounds is life changing, and life saving."

    Storyectomy* Family Pride Audience

  • "Storyectomy was the first phase of my trauma therapy after my cancer journey. It gently eased me back to face the darkest moments of cancer treatment with my son..."

    Storyectomy* End Cancer Performer

  • "A dazzlingly inclusive, intimate, hilarious, and joyful evening that made me feel closer to the Santa Monica community than I've experienced in four and a half years of living here."

    Storyectomy* Family Pride Audience

  • "I felt so accepted and in turn I was able to give more of myself."

    Storyectomy* Family Pride Performer

  • "The event provided a platform and venue for very important and meaningful voices to be heard about an important and powerful subject."

    Storyectomy* Baby Bumps Performer

  • ""...If just one person hears my story and it gives them an ounce of hope, an ounce of happiness, an ounce of pressure relief during a life and death situation, the Storyectomy experience will be a success. "

    Storyectomy* End Cancer Performer

  • "One particularly notable moment was when a colleague, also a physician, shared their reflections on the event. They remarked how Storyectomy, Family Pride demonstrated the spirit of Santa Monica as a gem of diversity and inclusion in Los Angeles."

    Storyectomy* Family Pride Performer

  • "The experience was incredible. Being in Nicole’s class helped me heel from my birth trauma more than years of therapy and medication had. It was truly life changing and so fun."

    Storyectomy* Baby Bumps Performer

  • "This show was amazing and so important!! For anyone who's experienced cancer, as a patient or loved one, the stories provided such emotional catharsis and support. There isn't a show like this anywhere and I know everyone who attended was lifted up and inspired. "

    Storyectomy* End Cancer Performer

  • "The experience has left an indelible mark on me, and I am grateful for the chance to be part of such a meaningful and impactful event."

    Storyectomy* Family Pride Performer

  • "Thank you so much to The Crow for providing Storyectomy to our community and also for the performers who undoubtedly gained so much from the experience."

    Storyectomy* End Cancer Performer

  • "This program is more than stopping cancer, it’s a community for growth and healing. As far as Nicole would go for her crew is beyond iconic!"

    Storyectomy* End Cancer Performer

  • "Participating in Storyectomy at The Crow was a transformative experience."

    Storyectomy* End Cancer Performer

  • " I identify as a cisgender heterosexual man and when a transgender woman took the stage to talk about the pain she felt for simply being who she was, I cried. I felt empathy for my fellow human being... and it didn't matter that she was different than me."

    Storyectomy* Family Pride Audience

  • "Storyectomy highlighted the beauty and power of storytelling, showcasing the authenticity and vulnerability in human experiences. It is my great hope that this class offering will continue for the next person who needs it, god knows I did."

    Storyectomy* End Cancer Performer

  • "Sharing my story through Storyectomy was incredibly healing. I created a community during a desperate time in my life..."

    Storyectomy* End Cancer Performer

  • "My nonbinary child was thrilled to see people like them, telling stories they could relate to, on stage in front of a crowd. It gave my child a boost in confidence and made them "feel seen"..."

    Storyectomy* Family Pride Audience

  • "[Twelve... on a scale from one to ten] would recommend for others to participate in. Nicole has a gift of doing this work and EVERYONE who walks into the Crow / these programs will walk away a better person, a stronger survivor, and a better storyteller, too."

    Storyectomy* End Cancer Perfomer

  • "The biggest impact Storyectomy had on me was the community of people it connected me with… It was extremely validating to feel seen and heard by others who have had similar experiences."

    Storyectomy* End Cancer Performer

  • "As an oncologist, Storyectomy made me a better doctor. Hearing stories from both sides of the desk was transformative and life affirming."

    Storyectomy* End Cancer Performer

  • "I am deeply grateful to the Crow for fostering such a safe and nurturing environment. It became a sanctuary where we could openly share our highs, lows, and everything in between."

    Storyectomy* End Cancer Performer

  • "The courage and vulnerability of the participants, combined with the compassionate atmosphere, made Storyectomy an unforgettable and transformative experience."

    Storyectomy* End Cancer Performer

  • "This program didn't just offer stories; it built a community of support and empathy, reminding us that we are not alone in our battles. It was a beacon of hope and strength during a dark time, and for that, I am eternally thankful."

    Storyectomy* End Cancer Performer

  • "As a person still in treatment when I performed in the first Storyectomy show, the experience was so novel, supportive, fun and healing!!! Laughter is the best medicine."

    Storyectomy* End Cancer Performer

  • "She has created such a warm, collaborative space for performers, cancer people, their supporters, & audience members it was just a great process and wonderful part of my healing. I will be forever grateful..."

    Storyectomy* End Cancer Performer

  • "I was really impressed by Nicole’s casting as all of the participants had really unique stories and personalities. We became each other’s cheerleaders and showed each other respect and support."

    Storyectomy* End Cancer Performer

  • "Nicole created a safe environment for us to express ourselves in ways we didn’t know were possible. It was an incredible experience full of laughter, tears, and cherished memories."

    Storyectomy* End Cancer Performer

  • "To have a platform like this, at such a professional place, with such gifted and experienced teachers, was a dream. I feel beyond lucky to have been a part of this six week program. It has truly changed my life and the way I view myself in the world."

    Storyectomy* Family Pride Performer

  • "This was the most impactful and inspiring class I’ve ever taken."

    Storyectomy* Family Pride Performer

  • "This show included all walks of life, identity, and perspectives. It made me laugh, cry, and then laugh again. It was real."

    Storyectomy* Family Pride Audience

  • "The Storyectomy Family Pride class with Jeffrey Jay and Nicole Blaine was the best class I've ever taken."

    Storyectomy* Family Pride Performer

  • "I am disabled (Hard of Hearing) and both the teachers and classmates worked to make sure I was fully included at all times, which I deeply appreciated. Our performance night will go down as one of the best nights of my life."

    Storyectomy* Family Pride Performer

  • "This event lit up Santa Monica for a night. [It] was a huge breath of fresh air, and I think there should be many more like it."

    Storyectomy* Family Pride Audience

  • "Nicole was amazing at fostering community and making us all feel comfortable opening up and sharing really hard and vulnerable stuff."

    Storyectomy* Baby Bumps Performer

  • "Moving and brilliant. Cathartic and healing."

    Storyectomy* Family Pride Audience

  • "Cities like Santa Monica where inclusivity and belonging are core values needs programs that knot the community together like this one. I urge the city's stakeholders to continue to support Storyectomy."

    Storyectomy* Family Pride Audience

  • "Hearing so many people who went through almost the exact same things was so powerful, and knowing that there is life and levity on the other side has stuck with me since the show. It showed me I can keep going, and that there is community and love waiting for me."

    Storyectomy* Family Pride Audience

  • "I cannot await to attend something again at the CROW but also to vehemently support this annual event next year. So needed."

    Storyectomy* Family Pride Audience

  • "I am a straight, white, man and it was immensely helpful for me to hear the stories of my neighbors who are different from me. Hate and misunderstanding grow when we don't listen and connect with people that are different from ourselves. This show will send a positive wave of connection throughout our city."

    Storyectomy* Family Pride Audience

  • "We need more safe places like this on our globe!"

    Storyectomy* Family Pride Audiece

  • "Building a community to share your most vulnerable life experience requires a very special safe space... this event would not have been possible if the room wasn't completely safe, comforting, and connecting."

    Storyectomy* Family Pride Audience

  • "The Crow has been able to provide this amazing stage that embraces the very essence of: We are here together for you.. and all of us!"

    Storyectomy* Family Pride Audience

PAST SEASONS:

END CANCER season 1: August 4, 2023 8pm

END CANCER season 2: October 6, 2023 7pm

END CANCER season 2: October 6, 2023 9pm

BABY BUMPS season 1: March 1, 2024 at 8pm

FAMILY PRIDE season 1 June 14, 2024 7pm

END CANCER season 3: Friday, August 9, 2024 at 7pm

END CANCER season 3: Friday, August 9, 2024 at 9pm

UNHOUSED: Friday, September 6, 2024 at 8 PM

END CANCER season 4: Saturday, October 19, 2024 at 7pm

END CANCER season 4: Saturday, October 19, 2024 at 9pm

BABY BUMPS season 2: February 15, 2025 at 8pm

COMING UP:

FAMILY PRIDE season 1 June 21, 2025 7 & 9pm

END CANCER season 5 August 22, 2025 8pm

END CANCER season 6 October 3, 2025 8pm