About In a Nutshell Storytelling
HUMANS! Welcome. We’re very glad you’re here.
In a Nutshell Storytelling is a small, artist-run live storytelling show based in Sacramento where, once a month, we fill the beautiful Sofia Theatre with humans listening to other humans tell true, personal stories.
It’s kind of magic. We highly recommend it.
What we do (aka: the Nutshell ecosystem)
Live shows monthly at The Sofia Theatre
The Nutshell True Story Hour, our podcast featuring a story from the live show, plus a backstage conversation with the teller
WILDCARD! a fun, feral, welcoming open mic story swap at Old Soul | The Alley, perfect if you want to try storytelling yourself
Some people find us because they love storytelling. Some because they’re looking for a reason to get out of the house. Most of us are craving a little more humanity, community, and connection in our lives.
All of those reasons work here. All are welcome!
And just so we’re clear: this is a wildly entertaining night out. You’ll laugh. You might cry. You’ll definitely walk out saying, “I’m so glad we came.” We care about community and connection, yes—but we also care a whole lot about putting on a really, really good show.
What you get as a subscriber
Twice a month, you’ll receive episodes of The Nutshell True Story Hour, which consists of one of our favorite stories told live at our show, followed by a conversation with the storyteller about how that story came to be.
You’ll also get a monthly newsletter with the show theme, featured storytellers, updates on WILDCARD!, and the occasional Nutshell shenanigan from Amy, Keith, and Aaron.
Even if you don’t live anywhere near Sacramento, this is still absolutely for you. You’re getting an excellent taste of a live storytelling night: the stories, the laughter, the electricity of a real audience, all from wherever you happen to be.
(We do encourage you to go do something live and in person when you can. Elbow-rubbing and hobnobbing are needed now more than ever. Get out there, already. And call your mom!)
Why a paid subscription matters
We pay the storytellers who grace our stage well. We’re proud of that. And we’d love to pay them even more.
In a Nutshell is a small, artist-run creative business. Like most tiny arts organizations, we run on:
passion
caffeine
stubbornness
audience support
and a truly impressive number of unpaid hours.
Paid subscriptions directly help us:
pay artists
pay ourselves
keep filling rooms with listening humans
record and share these stories far beyond Sacramento
keep this whole scrappy, beautiful experiment going
If you love stories and love the idea of artists being paid for their work, a paid subscription is one of the most direct ways to make that happen.
The Nutshell Crew
We’re three friends trying to bring laughter, insight, and the full range of human emotion to a room near you.
Amy Bee is the nuttiest Nutshell of the Nutshell Three and handles most of the behind-the-scenes wrangling. She will both love and hate it if you say hi.
Keith Lowell Jensen is our impeccable host and the proud recipient of a monthly audience chant of “HI, KEITH!” He’s also a sharp, subversive comedian, storyteller, and author working on his fourth novel.
Aaron Carnes is an author, journalist, podcaster, document-stamper, check-signer, and the reason anything here gets any media attention. He once defended all of ska, which frankly deserves some kind of award.
Together, we’re building a storytelling world that’s warm, weird, welcoming, and deeply human.
One Last Thing
We invited you here because you belong here. All are welcome.
Thanks for showing up.
xoxo,
Amy Bee and her shenanigan pals, Keith and Aaron
