Yeah no Yeah,
Introducing Denver’s independent theater pushers!
The goal of EXPOSED has always been to be a platform for the stories of our communities. Now, we grow and change our understanding of how those stories are told. Since 2022 we have slowly expanded EXPOSED from a monthly storytelling show to a network of events and partnerships. We attempted a monthly open mic night with [offset], began releasing the stories as a [podcast], have collaborated with The Denver Fringe to raise awareness, and recently [presents] produced two solo-storytelling performances .
The thing is, the list of shows and artists that we would like to bring to Denver (and other cities) is getting longer and longer, and not every one of them fit within the tight mission that is EXPOSED. We were left with a conundrum -do we expand the mission of EXPOSED to include different types of storytelling performances? (a fictional story perhaps.) Or do we create a whole new company?
The answer was an easy one.
Introducing…Yeah no Yeah productions.
Our mission will remain to be a platform for thought provoking storytelling. To bring these stories and performances to the communities we are a part of, at an affordable ticket price. To keep art independent, free from AI and billionaire corporations, and in the hands of the creators driven to bring their voices and storytelling styles to audiences, in independent venues seeking to support artists, and performance art to their communities. (whew, that was a long one.)
The stories shared through our longstanding EXPOSED [storytelling] will continue to be raw, true lived stories, from people in our community, who are brave enough to share these pieces of their lives with us. Each person working with our Director Josie Nixon to help shape their story for the stage here in Denver (we love our home in the Bug Theatre!)
In addition to our bi-monthly storytelling event, Yeah no Yeah will bring storytelling centered performances that we discover, or create. These performances will mostly be finished works created by fellow artists we have seen on our travels through the Fringe Festival circuit, each in their individual storytelling style.
More shows. More human. More YOU.
Founder, Director, Emcee
Josie Nixon
The first time I presented anything on stage willingly was spring of 2018, it was also the first time I’d ever read anything personal on stage. That March day left me inspired like I had never felt before.
After the show I was approached by a man in his 60’s and his wife the same. They likely had little to nothing in common with me, but he expressed that he had never felt more connected to a story before. My story, a personal and painful piece of my life, inspired this man to approach me asking for a hug so he could physically have the bond he felt emotionally to me.
I was shortly after invited to work with the producers of BedPost Confessions to help them put on a future show, which we then successfully ran for two more years. Our Denver debut was going to be a two show series in late March of 2020. Our dreams were torn away by a global shut down and a black hole all theater is still crawling out of. The fact that I had just quit my full time job to pursue this work most certainly lives on within me today as one of those moments where I slap my forehead to avoid screaming into the void. There will always be risks, doing this work will never be the easier route. I know these things.
During the Pandemic I put on a few different virtual storytelling projects in an effort to keep my dream alive, but they did not provide the same community that was needed when sharing stories so personal and painful. Eventually, I took a step back towards non-profit work as a career.
December 6th 2022, the very first EXPOSED was held at The Block Distilling Co, filled with 85 people who I consider to be some of the most important people to me. A show that was performed and packed out by my community, supporting the dream that I have. Many of whom still attend our shows to this day.
EXPOSED is more than just a theater production, it is a way to live a life without any sheltering of who you are. Living EXPOSED is what I strive for each day, to express myself authentically so that at every opportunity someone can connect with me.
“We are all connected through the details of our lives”
Josie@exposedstorytelling.com
Company Manager, Organizer of Chaos
Nicole Alton
Nicole doesn’t have time to write a bio right now, as she is currently too busy planning the 2027 schedule.
nicole@exposedstorytelling.com
Storytelling Development Manager, Weaver of Tales, Emcee
Cooper Braun
Cooper Braun cut his teeth on fairy tales. Reminding his listeners that they were never just for children. That traditional stories can be funny, dark, poignant, and anything but dry. After performing on the EXPOSED stage, in April of 2024 he joined the EXPOSED team to help folks speak their truth in their voice. Cooper believes EXPOSED to be the most dangerous, ambitious, and revolutionary storytelling he has ever been involved with. And loudly shouts its battle cry, “Fuck Shame!”
Cooper was raised by granola eating coyotes in Boulder Colorado and grew up without a television. Lacking the traditional American form of child pacification, he found a love of storytelling from his father’s records and cassette tapes. Cooper started performing as an actor (what do you do with a BA in Theater?) but in 2013, he returned to the world of live storytelling.
He performs regularly with Rachel Ann Harding as Stories with Spirit. Together they have produced numerous storytelling events in Colorado, and worldwide via Zoom. In 2015, at the Rocky Mountain Storytelling Festival, he performed on his first festival stage. Cooper competed in the story slam at the National Storytelling Festival in 2015 and 2016, and in 2017 returned to perform on the Exchange Place Stage. He was awarded the 2018 JJ Reneaux Emerging Artist Award and the 2022 Regional Excellence Award by the National Storytelling Network.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, Stories with Spirit has become one of the leading producers of virtual storytelling shows. Cooper has personally produced over 50 virtual shows. His series Fairy Tale Variations has proved wildly successful, regularly attracting audiences of over 200 from around the world.
Whether personal or fairy tale, Cooper’s stories seek to light fire in the hearts of those that hear them.
In House Photographer
Alexis Bolton
I’m Alexis Bolton, a Denver‑based concert, photographer. I grew up in Georgia, emancipated at 17, and found my home in Colorado’s DIY music and performance scenes. My work focuses on atmosphere, emotion, and consent. I strive to capture musicians and performers with the dignity I wish everyone had.
In recent years I’ve navigated chronic pain, a car crash, autoimmune disease, domestic violence and a C‑PTSD diagnosis. These obstacles have changed how I work but deepened my commitment to accessible shoots and trauma‑aware practices. I’m lucky enough to have found a great community here in Denver where I can connect with other creatives who inspire me and my craft.
Instagram: @alexisaleanaa www.aleanaslens.com www.femmusic.com
