the story behind the series

ARTICHOKE Storytelling Series is the brainchild of Drew Prochaska, a 2X Moth StorySLAM champ, writer & coach who established himself as a force within the NYC storytelling scene during its 2010s heyday before moving to Beacon, NY.

Wanting a way to entice his Brooklyn story pals to visit upstate, and a way to connect with his new neighbors, Drew wandered down Main Street and asked the team at Howland Cultural Center if they’d be interested in hosting a storytelling show. 

A ploy becomes a project.

Since 2018, ARTICHOKE has introduced NYC’s best storytellers to our Main Stage audience at the Howland. As time’s gone by, Drew’s expanded the show from a ploy to get his pals to Beacon into a full-scale operation that features performers from across the tri-state area, and an indispensable team of promoters, photographers, caterers, hosts, and two story friends who’ve been taking MetroNorth up from Brooklyn since the start.

Our ARTICHOKEiverse is currently populated with the original Main Stage show, a YouTube channel, monthly Story Slams, a BIG STORY SHOWDOWN, In-Person Workshops, Advanced Story Gyms, and ARTICHOKE Presents events. Plus, there’s more on the horizon.

Raising the bar (tab).

Drew named ARTICHOKE in honor of his first solo show, “The Artichoke Queen,” and he’s built it with a sense of integrity, quality, and a lot of experience working his ass off to get paid in drink tickets. 

We take a lot of pride in bringing the cream of the storytelling crop to our shows. Plus, everyone who contributes to an ARTICHOKE production, from storytellers to staff, gets compensated in cash, workshops, show comps, or a combination of the above.

Additionally, the whole team and current lineup of performers are hosted for dinner before every ARTICHOKE Main Stage, and afterwards they’re celebrated at a post-party … all at Drew’s home. 

We adopted our tagline, “The Heart of Storytelling,” in 2025 when the core team—Drew and the Brooklynites, Adam Selbst and Susan Kent—gave the ARTICHOKE brand a refresh with an eye on fortifying our connection to the Hudson Valley and the storytelling community we’ve grown to love.

We extend so much gratitude to YOU for loving us right back.