Topeka Troupers House Concerts
Topeka Troupers is a community of local storytellers, poets, musicians, and other stand-up artists, all members of the Topeka chapter of Kansas Authors Club, who delight in sharing their original work with small audiences. Most are experienced in presenting their work in open-mic forums throughout Topeka and the surrounding area. All are looking for ways to entertain and fellowship with supporters of local artists in small venues called house concerts throughout Topeka and Shawnee County.
These house concerts also enable those who would like to support and encourage these stand-up artists a chance to do so in their own homes and in the company of friends.
Topeka Troupers is a community of local storytellers, poets, musicians, and other stand-up artists, all members of the Topeka chapter of Kansas Authors Club, who delight in sharing their original work with small audiences. Most are experienced in presenting their work in open-mic forums throughout Topeka and the surrounding area. All are looking for ways to entertain and fellowship with supporters of local artists in small venues called house concerts throughout Topeka and Shawnee County.
These house concerts also enable those who would like to support and encourage these stand-up artists a chance to do so in their own homes and in the company of friends.
Topeka Troupers
Click on photo to watch sample presentation video
Click on photo to watch sample presentation video
Anne Spry
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Duane Herrmann
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Duane Johnson
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Samantha Morrison
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Fred Appelhanz
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Andy Morrison
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How Do House Concerts Work?
Note: These are only guidelines. We want house concerts to be as flexible as possible. Hosts and guests will create much of the dynamic; no two house concerts will ever be the same. Although we call them house concerts, we are also available for other small venues, such as church gatherings, and coffee shops. The key is intimacy and informality.
Note: These are only guidelines. We want house concerts to be as flexible as possible. Hosts and guests will create much of the dynamic; no two house concerts will ever be the same. Although we call them house concerts, we are also available for other small venues, such as church gatherings, and coffee shops. The key is intimacy and informality.
The host will contact Topeka Troupers at [email protected]. Short bios and contact information for each artist will be included on the Facebook page. Much of the logistics will be determined by the host and guests.
1. Size of audience. We would like to perform before an audience of four or more, but we will trust the hosts—patrons as we will call them—to determine the details, including passing the hat as payment.
2. Payment. Patrons can “pass the hat” to collect payment for the artist or artists, with a guaranteed minimum of $30. The host will pay each Trouper directly. Although this is a project of the Topeka Chapter of Kansas Authors Club, KAC is a nonprofit organization and cannot receive any payment. Troupers are responsible for keeping track of and reporting any income they receive at house concerts.
3. Length of time. We recommend about an hour for presentations. This would include time for the trouper to perform, plus casual interactions between the trouper and the audience. Guests may want to ask questions, share their reactions and even make recommendations.
Troupers are likely to ask for feedback. (We all want to get better at what we do.) At some point, the gathering will most likely evolve into informal, spontaneous exchanges among everyone present. Friendships may form. Most troupers will have books to show, and guests can browse through the books and spot a poem or story he or she might like to hear performed. Guests could buy or order books, but there would be no expectations to do so. Many hosts will want to provide refreshments, allowing for more casual fellowship.
Troupers are likely to ask for feedback. (We all want to get better at what we do.) At some point, the gathering will most likely evolve into informal, spontaneous exchanges among everyone present. Friendships may form. Most troupers will have books to show, and guests can browse through the books and spot a poem or story he or she might like to hear performed. Guests could buy or order books, but there would be no expectations to do so. Many hosts will want to provide refreshments, allowing for more casual fellowship.
4. Number of performers. We recommend that patrons invite two or three troupers to a house concert. If a performer has to cancel, he or she will notify one of our contact persons, who will call the host immediately.
We understand that friends of the host sometimes will need to cancel. This would mean that troupers will simply settle for less. Keep in mind that as poets and storytellers, we are accustomed to not getting paid at all. We will be thrilled with whatever payment we receive. Simply having someone who wants to hear our poetry and stories is a novelty for us.
Although we call them house concerts, we are also available for other small venues, such as church gatherings, and coffee shops. The key is intimacy and informality.
Think of us when you are planning special occasions: birthday parties, anniversaries, wedding receptions, etc. Many of us also will be available for holidays. Invite us to a Valentines gathering, and we will come prepared with our love poems and stories.
We understand that friends of the host sometimes will need to cancel. This would mean that troupers will simply settle for less. Keep in mind that as poets and storytellers, we are accustomed to not getting paid at all. We will be thrilled with whatever payment we receive. Simply having someone who wants to hear our poetry and stories is a novelty for us.
Although we call them house concerts, we are also available for other small venues, such as church gatherings, and coffee shops. The key is intimacy and informality.
Think of us when you are planning special occasions: birthday parties, anniversaries, wedding receptions, etc. Many of us also will be available for holidays. Invite us to a Valentines gathering, and we will come prepared with our love poems and stories.
Contact: Samantha Morrison or Duane Johnson, [email protected]
Sponsored by: Kansas Authors Club, Topeka Chapter
Sponsored by: Kansas Authors Club, Topeka Chapter