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If you love a good story but also seek a theater-like experience, Stories on Stage just might be your cup of tea. The series, masterminded by Sacramento author Valerie Fioravanti, features local short fiction read by local actors.

Friday night, the series will host its third monthly event, held at the Sacramento Poetry Center.

After spending 30 years in New York and several years in other states and countries, Fioravanti moved to Sacramento because of the affordability and the arts scene. The Brooklyn native came up with the idea for Stories on Stage after noticing something strange about Sacramento.

"The poets are organized, but the prose writers are not," she said. "We want to show short fiction some love, and to pay writers, artists and actors."

The series debuted in January to a standing-room-only audience and continued with a packed house in February despite a rainstorm. Local writers submit stories, and actors submit audio samples to Fioravanti, a fiction writer and instructor, monthly. Then she decides what is strong enough to be read.

"You can just do whatever you want to do with it," said Cynthia Mitchell Speakman, who read Naomi Williams' "Snow Men" in the inaugural performance. "That's a neat thing about doing this, there are different kind of things that you wouldn't get to do onstage."

Speakman also noted that it's a good opportunity for writers to get their works out there. Fioravanti agrees.

"The idea is to support local writers, bring in people from the region and (show) Sacramento is an important (arts) market," she said. "I like having a multidimensional art scene."

In addition to great stories and acting, food will be served by personal chef Matthew Fischer, former executive chef of Bella Bru and chef at Paragary's and Scott's Seafood. He was such a smash at last month's event he will return Friday.

"It's a great way for people to have thought-provoking, inexpensive entertainment on a Friday night," Speakman said. "You actually have to think a little bit about these stories."

Videos of the performances are posted on the Stories on Stage website. Stories on Stage takes place at the Sacramento Poetry Center, 1719 25th St. (between Q & R), the last Friday of each month at 7 p.m. $5 suggested donation. Submissions should be sent to valfiora@yahoo.com. 

Photographs credit Dorine Jennette.