If you have any trouble donating please call us.
Need help or questions? Email, text or call 503.877.3341. Offline donations are also accepted, call for instructions*.
Teslers Unite!
Tesla Nation Unite!
The Tesla City Stories - Help us Boost the Signal! Any amount helps!
The Tesla City Stories - Help us Boost the Signal! Any amount helps!
Total: $5311.00
36 backers • Ongoing!
Help our live onstage vintage radio theater production sustainably expand to the next level!
Total:$5311.00
36 backers
Ongoing!
54% of goal of $9944 achieved! Thank you!
*Donations will appear on your statement as “Grip Media, Inc.”, which is owned by the Executive Producer, Jerry Chrisman. Due to fees, donations are non-refundable.
If you have any trouble donating please call us.
Need help or questions? Email, text or call 503.877.3341. Offline donations are also accepted, call for instructions*.
Who, What, Where and Why is The Tesla City Stories?
Since 2014, our live vintage radio theater production has performed (to date) fifty-five unique shows for literally thousands of fans in the greater Portland, Oregon area (and now, through our podcast, around the world)!
Our passionate and loyal following has cheered our company as we’ve turned back the clock time and again to recreate the 1940s radio shows of the Tesla Broadcasting Company live onstage. These brilliant interconnected radio programs of every imaginable genre were unique for their time and we’re happy to see that today’s audiences have embraced these obscure gems in a way their originators couldn’t have imagined eighty years ago.
That covers the who, what, and where, but as for why? Well, for us, it’s a true labor of love for so-vintage-it’s-brand-new entertainment and our own enthusiasm must be infectious as we have grown a devoted following over our decade (global pandemics aside) of operation.
We Depend on the Generosity of Our Dedicated Fans Old and New!
Our show has grown exponentially, across multiple, ever-expanding venues, entertaining regular sellout crowds of repeat fans and newbies alike.
Sounds like The Tesla City Stories is on a roll! Well, we are, but to stay that way we could use your help.
Since our return from the COVID interruption, our show costs have risen over 100%, however we have only raised ticket prices modestly. Your generosity will allow us to keep our ticket prices reasonable for all to enjoy.
With this campaign, we’re seeking to raise $9,944 for tweaks and improvements both immediate and long term, all with the goal of making our show and the overall audience experience the best it can be.
That means attaining such goals as:
- Improving our audio setup for greater live sound quality.
- Expanding accessibility for our blind and deaf fans.
- Expanding our podcast productivity and actually having the means to market the podcast and the show itself to a global audience.
- Producing merchandise to sell at shows (which always requires a large initial cash outlay).
- Taking our show on the road via tours and showcases around the country.
Additional funds will lift us above mere sustainability and onto a bigger stage. We’re ready for that and, based on what we’ve seen since our humble beginnings, we feel there’s a wide audience of folks of all ages, from all over, who would love The Tesla City Stories if they had a chance to experience it.
Simply put, with your help we can make an already great show even better!
Full disclosure:
Our small company of actors, sound effects artists, guest musical acts, and tech crew is completely self-funded and, while we are a solid and consistently performing enterprise, your support would help relieve some of the pressure on ticket sales to cover our essential production costs (which includes paying our people – a rarity in independent theater).
Challenges
While we seek to boost our signal to the rest of the globe, Portland will always be our home base and we’re dedicated to continuing our decade-long track record of delivering great shows to our PDX fans. Of course, even that poses it’s own challenges.
Such as:
- Remaining lean and managing the ever-increasing costs of producing the show.
- Doing so while improving our production in the ways mentioned above.
- Better connecting our fans to the ongoing serial nature of the shows so they can more fully immerse themselves in the incredible Tesla City universe of characters and stories.
- Remaining viable and sustainable during all kinds of economic conditions.
Other Ways You Can Help
We certainly understand that some people are just not able to contribute financially, but that doesn’t mean you can’t help. Support can be given in many ways, and we deeply appreciate those beyond just financial. Here are some additional ways you can help:
-
- .Volunteer: We are seeking 3-5 volunteers to help pursue sponsorships, sell tickets and assist with show logistics on show days. If you are in the Portland area and interested, please contact us at teslacoil@teslacitystories.com.
- Share, share, share: Share, share, share: Sharing the event on social media, telling your friends about us.
And Lastly…
A heartfelt thanks from all of us for stopping by and lending an ear. You clearly have excellent taste in independent theater and alternative entertainment!
Learn more about us and our history at:
Optional Perks!
Tesla City's Hall of Honor
Tesla City Official Mug & Tote
At this level of perk, you get some really snazzy schwag! Be the envy of everyone you know with these stylish, functional and unique merchandise!
Included Items:
Tesla City Hall of HonorOfficial Tesla City tote bag
Official Tesla City mug
All Merch + Premium Content
A custom tote! A custom mug! Limited edition show posters! Plus lifetime access to premium content on the podcast currently in development! You can't lose with this one!
Included Items:
Tesla City Hall of HonorOfficial Tesla City tote bag
Official Tesla City mug
All show posters
Podcast premium content
FAQ
Your shows are always packed? Why would you need more money?
Since returning from COVID lockdown our costs have risen over 100%. Like everyone, inflation has hit us hard. Despite the harsh reality of inflation we have only raised ticket prices modestly, certainly not even close to doubling in price. We want the show to remain accessibile to everyone which is why we hesitate to raise ticket prices.
Do you own your venue?
We do not own our main venue. We rent the venue on a per show basis and this is our largest expense. Rent has doubled since we returned from COVID.
You are a radio show, but you perform onstage? I don’t understand.
We are a recreation of how it was done in the 1940s! Radio was performed in front of live audiences!
Can I listen to the show outside of the live performances?
You sure can! Enjoy our podcast here: www.TeslaCityPodcast.com
Will my donation really help you?
It will help us immensely. Even $5 will be put to good use.
I really just want to donate, do I need to choose a perk?
Perks are fun but entirely optional, you can simply donate as well.
THE TESLA CITY STORIES
3439 NE Sandy BLVD. #317
Portland, Oregon 97232
ph: 503.877.3341
EMAIL
Original Vintage Radio Theater Live & Direct From 1944!
*Donations will appear on your statement as “Grip Media, Inc.”, which is owned by the Executive Producer of The Tesla City Stories, Jerry Chrisman. Due to fees, donations are non-refundable. ©Copyright 2023 The Tesla City Stories.