“Trash Club,” a new solo storytelling show by writer and performer Elaine Gale, will run at 7 p.m. Aug. 6-7 at Center Stage Theater in Santa Barbara.

Directed by Teagan Rose, the show is born out of a real-life Trash Club that Gale started on the streets of Los Angeles. The irreverent performance mixes storytelling, stand-up, ritual, and a dumpster dive into the fire of human spirit.

Through tales of divorce and heartbreak, midlife reinvention, the death of her mother, and a once-in-a-century pandemic, Gale asks one central question:

“What parts of myself have I thrown away, and am I brave enough to dig them back out?” Along the way, unlikely sages help her decide what is worth repurposing.
 
“The show is a love letter to resilience,” said Gale. “It is about seeing our inner trash with compassion, laughing at the absurdity of it all, and maybe picking up a soda can, or a broken dream, on the way home.”

“Theater has the power to alchemize pain into laughter,” said Rose. “Directing this intimate show has been a humbling and exhilarating challenge. It is a reminder of how deeply our stories can heal us when shared.”

Gale has showcased her work at Center Stage 15 times previously, including her autobiographical play “One Good Egg,” which had a sold-out, five-show world premiere there. Gale donated $10,000 from opening night to Direct Relief.

The play then went on to sold-out runs in New York City and Los Angeles off-Broadway.

Tickets to “Trash Club” are $27 in advance, $32 at the door. To purchase, visit here.

All ticket sales are final. Seating is general admission, with no late seating once the performance begins.