Tag: horror

creativity

“The Best Storytelling I’ve Ever Seen in NYC”: Why NYC’s Secrets & Lies is Your Perfect Pre-Halloween Night Out

Christa Avampato
http://lies.eventbrite.com

The storytellers of NYC’s Secrets & Lies and I have spent the last month celebrating the secrets hidden beneath New York City—from the quiet wilderness of Central Park to the forgotten history in the street streets. As October deepens, we’re switching our focus from nature’s secrets to something far more chilling: NYC’s infamous ghosts and the secrets they left behind.

The audience feedback from our last event, NYC’s Secrets & Lies – Nature, was absolutely overwhelming. Before we dive into the chilling tales planned for October 28th, we want to prove that this is more than just a show—it’s a truly unforgettable New York experience. If you’ve been on the fence, let our past audience convince you to secure your spot for a night of fright, tricks, and treats!

Why the Show Works

We set out to create compelling, high-caliber storytelling, and the response confirmed it. This show isn’t just reciting history; it’s about crafting a narrative that sticks with you long after you leave The Hidden Jewel Box Theater, a secret theater hidden inside Port Authority Bus Terminal.

Here is a glimpse of what audience members said about the last installment:

🗣️ Testimonial 1: “From the moment I stepped in through the secret door to the moment I left through ANOTHER secret door, this was the best storytelling I’ve ever seen in NYC!”

🗣️ Testimonial 2: “I haven’t been this entertained and educated at the same time in a long time. The perfect New York night out—NYC’s Secrets & Lies is a true hidden gem of the city’s indie arts scene.”

🗣️ Testimonial 3: “A masterclass in stage presence. The performers brought every secret to life and I had no idea which stories were true and which was the lie! I bought tickets for the next show before I left the theater.”

From Nature to Ghosts

Image created by Christa Avampato

The same dedication to research, quality performance, and compelling narrative that wowed the audience last month is now being turned towards the city’s darker corners.

For NYC’s Secrets & Lies – Ghost Stories on Tuesday, October 28th at 8pm, we’re diving deep into the true hauntings and the unsettling history that makes New York one of the spookiest places on earth. Expect to hear real, unsettling stories about:

  • The notorious ghosts of Greenwich Village’s oldest theaters.
  • The dark family secrets buried beneath modern skyscrapers.
  • The lingering spirits tied to a famous Manhattan landmark.

And one big lie! This is an intimate, spine-tingling historical journey just three days before Halloween. Our show is your perfect way to connect with the ghosts of New York’s past. Come early when the doors open at 7:30pm to enjoy some treats, meet the storytellers, and explore The Hidden Jewel Box Theater before it closes and disappears forever!

Space at The Hidden Jewel Box Theater is extremely limited for this one-night-only event. With the clock ticking down to October 28th, tickets are selling fast thanks to the buzz from our last show. Don’t wait to secure your spot!

👉 CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS FOR OCTOBER 28TH 👈

http://lies.eventbrite.com

[TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE: http://lies.eventbrite.com]

PS – Keep following our social channels for behind-the-scenes looks at the chilling research for the Ghost Stories show! You can follow me on Instagram and Threads at @christarosenyc and you can follow the show on Instagram at @nycsecretsandlies.

creativity

The Climate Film Festival Storytelling Collective

Christa Avampato

I’m really happy to have joined a new collective created by Climate Film Festival that’s bringing together sustainability professionals with filmmakers to raise the bar on and expand opportunities for climate storytelling. As someone who has one foot in each of these worlds, I’m so excited to be part of this new professional group and to help craft and fund these stories that drive action.

Yesterday I went to the Essex Market coffee hour for our first in-person event and attended an excellent panel about climate documentary making. As someone who studied how to use storytelling to drive more climate investment from family offices, I felt like I was in just the right place at just the right time because financing was a key part of the conversation. I heard a number of filmmakers talk about the challenge of finding financing for their climate films, especially with the current situation in D.C.

What filmmakers need to consider is that private funders don’t want to just fund a movie. They want to fund systemic change, especially when it comes to protecting and restoring the health of the planet. Filmmakers need to show how their films, and the platforms and supports they are building around their films, will get viewers to engage in creating meaningful change. That change needs to be measured and reported on.

Is that asking more from filmmakers? Yes. Is it asking them to be skilled business people, entrepreneurs, and community leaders on top of their filmmaking expertise and beyond the creation of the film? Yes. Isn’t making a movie already a Herculean task? Yes. Is that a challenge? Yes. It’s also today’s funding reality.

You aren’t just making a movie, not anymore. You’re building a movement, and that movement is what’s fundable with a movie being one cornerstone of many.