SUMMER RALLY! Les Hunter of Playwrights Local talks about fundraising with stories and beer

It’s summer, and nothing says FUN like “FUNdraiser,” right? Especially when it’s paired with a rally… at a local brewery!

Playwrights Local has just recently announced its annual fundraiser event, “Summer Rally 2019: Telling Our Story.”

WHO: Playwrights Local & You

WHEN: Sunday, August 11 at 12:00 pm – 2:30 pm

WHERE: Forest City Brewery (2135 Columbus Road in Cleveland, OH)

WHAT: Summer Rally 2019 includes – lunch from Aladdin’s, one drink ticket, some of Cleveland’s best storytellers, and more to be announced

COST: Tickets are $45

Les Hunter, President of the Board of Playwrights Local, had these thoughts to share about the event.

Kate Klotzbach: Why the Forest City Brewery?

Les Hunter: We liked the aesthetic of Forest City–it’s got a Rust Belt vibe, and it’s got a story to tell, which is perfect for both our event, “Telling Our Story,” and the company itself.

KK: Where did this benefit idea (lunch and storytelling) come from?

LH: Last year, the Board’s event was “Summer Rally,” (as in a political rally) reflecting the quasi-old-timey-union-Rust-Belt connotations of our name, Playwrights Local. This year, we wanted to broaden our goals a bit, we’re hoping to see old friends and maybe make some new ones, and we want them to know that we’re here to tell the stories of the people of North East Ohio, hence: “telling our story.” And we also wanted to eat lunch!

KK: What are some of the items in the silent auction?

LH: We’re still working on this year’s silent auction, but last year we had a collection paintings, a beautiful artisanal knife, various gift certificates and spa packages, a tour of the downtown Heinen’s by the architect, John Williams, and more.

KK: How did you pick your storytellers and speakers for the event?

LH: The head of the NEOMFA creative writing program, Mike Geither, is a well-known playwright and former board member. He’s a great solo performer and he’s been working on a solo show about his own life for a number of years. Molly McFadden is a frequent performer about town and knows our work well. She’s going to share a story about coming into her own voice here in Cleveland as an artist. And we’re really excited to have Ideastream’s Dee Perry, who works with Jared Bendis, also on our board. Dee will tell her story, “The View From The Roof,” where she will share ideas that have come to her while hanging from the rafters of her house during her DIY renovations.

KK: How will the funds raised be used?

LH: All the funds will go directly to producing new plays by local playwrights that tell the stories of the people of Northeast Ohio. We have very little overhead, so money we make goes directly into the art.

“Summer Rally 2019: Telling Our Story” will be held on Sunday, August 11 from 12:00 pm to 2:30 pm. The venue for this special event will be Forest City Brewery at 2135 Columbus Road in Cleveland.

Tickets are $45 and include lunch from Aladdin’s, one drink ticket, live storytelling, and more to be announced. For additional information, visit www.playwrightslocal.org/summer-rally-2019/ or contact Playwrights Local at info@playwrightslocal.org or (216) 302-8856.