After nine years, she's retiring 'Lip Service'

Andrea, courtesy Lip Service

Andrea Askowitz, right, the creator of Lip Service, a literary showcase, steps down after nine years. Each quarter, eight storytellers take the stage at Miracle Theater in Coral Gables and reveal their hearts through true, personal stories.

“It’s been so much fun working within our community to bring people’s stories to light.  But I’m ready to move on,” says Andrea.

Lip Service is a John S. and James L Knight Arts Challenge Award winning show.  It started October 2006 as a free show at Books & Books and has grown into a Miami institution, playing to audiences of up to 600.“The thing I love about Lip Service is how willing people are to tell their stories. I mean, to tell the parts of themselves that may not always look pretty.  And our audience is the best in the world. When someone’s nervous on stage, when I’m nervous on stage, I feel emotionally buoyed by the love and support of our audience," says Andrea.

“There’s a hunger in Miami for storytelling. That’s what Andrea tapped into,” says Nicholas Garnett, who has co-produced Lip Service along with Andrea, for the last year. “Also, Andrea’s passion and enthusiasm make her a master producer. If Andrea tells you there’s something great happening, you come.” 

Andrea is moving on from Lip Service with Miami native Allison Langer to create Writing Class Radio, which is a podcast of the writing class she’s been teaching as an offshoot of Lip Service for several years. Writing Class Radio is part true storytelling, part documentary style journalism and part writing class. Writing Class Radio can be heard at writingclassradio.com.  Soon to be downloaded from iTunes. 

The last Lip Service is Saturday, October 24, 2015 at the Miracle Theater. Tickets are 'on sale at lipservicestories.com.  $15, general admission, $30, preferred seating.