Watch Peterborough adults read their childhood writing before a live audience

If you weren’t in the audience at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre last September for the first-ever Peterborough recording of Grownups Read Things They Wrote As Kids, you can now watch videos of selected participants.

The open-mic event, where adults share their childhood and teenaged writing before a live audience, was started in 2007 by host Dan Meisener along with his then-girlfriend (and now wife) Jenna. Often hilarious and sometimes moving, the show was first broadcast in 2008 as an independent podcast.

CBC Radio picked up the series in 2014 for 10 episodes, where it found a wide audience. After CBC decided to drop the series due to budget cuts, Dan and Jenna continued the show as an independent, fan-supported venture in late 2014. They continue to hold live events across Canada, recording them for subsequent podcast.

Episode 426 of Grownups Read Things They Wrote As Kids was recorded live at the Market Hall in Peterborough on September 17, 2017.

Here are the videos of selected participants. For privacy reasons, the Meiseners don’t publish the surnames of participants, but locals will recognize them.

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“Al Chickenbone wanted by the KFC” – Jay

When Jay was 6, he wrote a comic strip about a criminal inspired by Al Capone.

 

“I hate people” – Victoria

Victoria shares a few angsty poems she wrote when she was in high school.

 

“Buy a 100 pound turkey for $15” – Reece

Reece shares a collection of writings that include a short story, an autobiography (sort of) and Thanksgiving recipe, all written at 7 years old.

 

“The Definition” – Caitlin

Caitlin sings an original song she wrote at age 13 about the boy she had a crush on.

 

“I woke up, and it was the year 2010” – Lisa

In grade 6 Lisa wrote a few school assignments titled “How we can keep Canada a top country” and “my future”.

 

“You are 50. 50, 50, 50.” – Amy

Amy shares a birthday card she wrote for her grandmother, plus two journal entries.

 

“Dale the Whale” – Benjamin

When Benjamin was in grade 3 he wrote a short story about an epic friendship.

 

“Life is a shimmering jewel” – Ayesha

When Ayesha was 9, they kept a private diary filled with sage advice.

 

“One day in European Times” – Steven

When Steven was in grade 3, he wrote a collection of short stories for English class that are inspired by his love for the horror genre.

 

“Do my dirty work” – Lindy

When Lindy was 12 she fancied herself a poet. Here she gets up on our stage and shares a few of her original compositions.

 

“”Mirror mirror above the door, make my boobs a 44” – Crystal-lee

Crystal-lee reads a journal entry she wrote at nine years old, as well as a school assignment written at age 14 about who she most wanted to be.

 

You can also listen to the full podcast version of the Market Hall show below.

Episode 426 – Market Hall, Peterborough on September 17, 2017 – Released on December 18, 2017

For more information about Grownups Read Things They Wrote As Kids and to subscribe to the podcast, visit grownupsreadthingstheywroteaskids.com.