It’s Here! The BABS’LAB Grand Slam!!

Featuring the WINNERS of our Monthly Story Slams

Haidy Andrada Louis Betancourt Tricia Booker Matteo Colaciello
Julia Ivanisova Anna Jacobson Maira Martelo
Johnny Masiulewicz  Lena Shaqareq

It’s time to bring the house down!

We’re Celebrating 8 years of Story Slams! And kicks off the countdown to BABS’LAB’s 9th anniversary in August.

We’re excited to present our eight winning storytellers from the first half of the 2025 Story Slam season returning to the stage for one electric, unpredictable, and totally fabulous night as we close out the story cycle with a bang.
The theme is SCRATCH—as in starting from, itching for, clawing through, or making your mark. Expect stories that dig deep, leave a trace, or go right for the raw and real.

This Slam is dedicated to artist and activist Deborah Reid. For the past 10 years, Deborah was a vibrant, fearless member of our Improv to the Rescue troupe and co-curator of for art exhibits at BABS’LAB. Never one to just scratch the surface, Deborah dug deep into life, into art, into community. We honor her spirit and creativity with this Slam.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

WHEN: Saturday, July 19, 2025

THEME: SCRATCH

SHOW TIME: 8 PM 

DOORS OPEN AT BABS’LAB: 7:15 PM ( please honor that time!)

TICKETS: $20.00   barbaracolaciello.com/register/julygrandslambabslab-2025

WHERE: BABS’LAB, 603 King St. Please Note: Entrance rear of building on Phyllis St. between Palm tree and metal fence.

FIRST TIME AT A GRAND SLAM?

Storytellers have 8 minutes with a 2 minute grace period to share a TRUE personal story based on the THEME without the use of notes. No ranting. No politicizing.

The winner of the Slam will be picked by three GUEST JUDGES (TBA). Our Grand Slam winner will win a $100.00 Cash Prize!
Audience members get to vote for their fave storyteller too! The winner of the POPULAR VOTE receives a $50.00 Gift Certificate to Castaways Vintage to Modern, an incredible Avondale antique shop and record store offering art, furniture, crafts, gifts, boutique & more!

ABOUT BABS’LAB

BABS'LAB is a dynamic and vibrant space for experimentation, training, and performance. At BABS'LAB, the community comes together to witness work that breaks barriers and crosses lines, and students are offered a safe, creative, and embodied approach to building authentic communication and storytelling skills.

Our monthly story slams bring people together, fostering a sense of community and celebrating the power of oral storytelling. Additionally, our improv training & story shaping classes cater to both actors and non-actors, making BABS'LAB an inclusive and welcoming space for everyone who is interested in creative expression.

Questions: contact babslab@barbaracolaciello.com