The annual Tennessee Williams Festival (TWF) is just around the corner, and with it comes the popular Stella Shouting Contest! In the past, the Stella Shouting Contest has been held at the end of the festival, but this year it has been moved to the weekend before to draw attention to the fest and to make it a fundraising event. It will be a great kick-off to the week's literary events on March 19 at 4 p.m. in Jackson Square.
And this year, the contest takes on a new meaning as it becomes an awareness-raising and fundraising campaign for the New Orleans Family Justice Center (NOFJC), a partnership of agencies dedicated to ending domestic violence. The center provides access to free crisis services and shelter, legal aid, advocacy and case management, trauma counseling, and prevention education. With the support of the Stella Shouting Contest, the NOFJC will be able to continue its mission of ending domestic violence and assisting those affected by it.
The Stella Shout was inspired by the pivotal and iconic moment in Tennessee Williams' play, A Streetcar Named Desire, giving participants the chance to try out their best rendition of yelling, "Stellllaaa" or "Stanleyyy!" Judges then vote on the performances, and a winner is declared.
"The Stella Shouting Contest is one of the many events on the TWF line up," said a festival spokesperson. "There are also writer's craft classes, literary discussions, theatre performances, readings, music, and so much more. It will be a perfect day to come out and see participants channel their inner Stanley or Stella!"
The Tennessee Williams Festival is set to take place from March 22-26, 2023. Don't miss out on the chance to participate in the Stella Shouting Contest, support a great cause, and attend other events including, writer's craft classes, literary discussions, theatre performances, readings, music, and so much more.
For more information on the festival and the NOFJC, visit the festival's website.
