Tesla Nation Unite!
Total: $2765 • 29 backers • Ends July 20th, 2026
92% of our goal of $3000 achieved! Thank you!
NOTE: You do not need a paypal account or membership to donate. You can use a debit or credit card without a paypal account. If you have any trouble donating, please call or text us.
Need help or questions? Email, text or call 503.877.3341. Offline donations are also accepted, call for instructions*.
*Donations will appear on your statement as “Grip Media, Inc.”, which is owned by the Executive Producer, Jerry Chrisman. Due to fees, donations are non-refundable.
The Tesla City Stories - Help Us Improve! Any Amount Welcome!
Dear Tesla Nation,
We’re launching a campaign to fund three projects that will improve our theater experience for years to come:
For 12 years, The Tesla City Stories has brought live theater to Portland audiences — and none of it would be possible without supporters like you. Today, we’re reaching out because we have an opportunity to make our productions more accessible, more sustainable, and more far-reaching, and we need your help to get there. Any amount helps us, plus we have fabulous perks for you (see below! ↓)!What the donations are for:
Wireless Assistive Listening Headphones
Every patron deserves to experience our shows fully, regardless of hearing ability. New wireless assistive listening equipment will let audience members with hearing loss or in a dead spot of the venue adjust sound levels to their own needs, ensuring no one misses a word of dialogue or a note of music. This is a direct investment in making our theater welcoming to everyone in our community.
A Heat Press for Theater Merchandise
Merchandise sales — t-shirts, tote bags, show posters — are a growing source of earned revenue for arts organizations like ours. A heat press will let us produce professional-quality, custom merchandise in-house for each production, turning every show into an ongoing source of support rather than a one-time event. This equipment will also allow us to offer more variety of merchandise and lower prices.
Expanding Our Podcast’s Reach
Our podcast has become a way to bring our work to people who may never set foot in our theater — from behind-the-scenes conversations to interviews with our artists. With additional support, we can improve our production quality, invest in promotion, and grow our audience well beyond Portland, extending the life and impact of every show we produce.Optional Perks!
Our goal is to raise $1944 by July 20th, 2026. Every gift, at any level, moves us closer:
- Up to $50: you will become a permanent member of the Tesla City Hall of Honor and mentioned at every show!
- $50-$100: gets you a 10% discount code you can use for any of the fall shows in 2026 plus induction into the Tesla City Hall of Honor and mentioned at every show – or – receive any of our special edition pins from one of our shows.
- $100+: gets you a 20% discount code for tickets you can use for any of the fall shows in 2026 plus induction into the Tesla City Hall of Honor – or – receive all three of our special edition pins from one of our shows.
Thank you for standing with us as we work to make theater more accessible, more sustainable, and more far-reaching for our whole community. We couldn’t do this without you.
Sample Podcast Episode!
Who, What, Where and Why is The Tesla City Stories?
Since 2014, our live vintage radio theater recreation of the programs of the Tesla Broadcasting Company has performed for literally thousands of fans in the greater Portland, Oregon area — but we’re determined to boost our signal to the entire world! How? Our podcast.
Just imagine: a steady release of the adventures of The Wraith! A regular glimpse into The Off-Key Life of Viola Harper! The whirlwind fun of Blevins to Betsy and the twists and turns of The Wilde Card Mysteries! The soapy delight of Nightingale of the Broken Heart! Not to mention Shepherd’s Trail, Other Worlds, Harpy Squadron, The Trials of Prudence Fairleigh, Osprey 6, Hooten Holler, and The 13th Floor! There’s literally a whole interconnected universe of stories waiting to be (re)discovered!
We feel that the 1940s radio shows of the TBC didn’t get the chance they deserved way back when. And the reception our live shows have received from our devoted local audiences bears that out. For us, The Tesla City Stories has been a labor of love and you can help us spread that love to a much bigger audience.
We Depend on the Generosity of Our Dedicated Fans Old and New!
Your generosity will help us have the means to support the costs of production, which includes paying podcasting platforms and marketing the podcast, as well as taking care of our incredible cast who are very giving with their time and talents.
Podcasting is the new "radio," and we have much to do!
With this campaign, we’re seeking to raise at least $1944+ to help cover the costs of our intensive podcast production schedule in 2025. Producing full-cast audio plays for the podcast realm is a multi-step process and is profoundly labor intensive. Plus, unlike our live shows, podcasts take a long time to earn revenue.
Your generosity will help us have the means to support the costs of production which includes paying podcasting platforms, marketing the podcast, as well as taking care of our incredible cast, who are very giving with their time and talents.
That means attaining such goals as:
- Editing and recording dozens of episodes in 2026.
- Having reliable and regular release schedules.
- Expanding our podcast productivity and actually having the means to market the podcast and the show itself to a global audience.
- Better connecting our fans to the ongoing serial nature of the shows so they can more fully immerse themselves in the incredible Tesla City universe of characters and stories.
- Remaining viable and sustainable during all kinds of economic conditions.
- Taking care of our cast.
Simply put, with your help we can make our podcast even better!
Full disclosure:
Our small company of actors, sound effects artists, guest musical acts, and tech crew is self-funded, and while we are a solid and consistently performing enterprise, your support would help relieve some of the pressure on ticket sales to cover our essential production costs (which includes paying our people — a rarity in independent theater).
And Lastly…
A heartfelt thanks from all of us for stopping by and lending an ear. You clearly have excellent taste in independent theater and alternative entertainment!
Learn more about us and our history at:
FAQ
Your shows are always packed? Why would you need more money?
Sadly, all our costs keep rising. Like everyone, inflation has hit us hard. Despite the harsh reality of inflation we have not raised our ticket prices in 2026. We want the show to remain accessible to everyone, which is why we hesitate to raise ticket prices.
Do you own your venue?
We do not own our main venue. We rent the venue on a per show basis and this is our largest expense. Rent has doubled since we returned from COVID.
You are a radio show, but you perform onstage? I don’t understand.
We are a recreation of how it was done in the 1940s! Radio was performed in front of live audiences!
Can I listen to the show outside of the live performances?
You sure can! Enjoy our podcast here: www.TeslaCityPodcast.com
Will my donation really help you?
It will help us immensely. Even $5 will be put to good use.
If you have any trouble donating please call us.
Need help or questions? Email, text or call 503.877.3341. Offline donations are also accepted, call for instructions*.
Tesla Nation Unite!
The Tesla City Stories - Help Us Improve! Any Amount Welcome!
92% of our goal of $3000 achieved! Thank you!
Total: $2765 • 29 backers • Ends July 20th, 2026
NOTE: You do not need a paypal account or membership to donate. You can use a debit or credit card without a paypal account. If you have any trouble donating please call us.
Need help or questions? Email, text or call 503.877.3341. Offline donations are also accepted, call for instructions*.
Dear Tesla Nation,
We’re launching a campaign to fund three projects that will improve our theater experience for years to come:
For 12 years, The Tesla City Stories has brought live theater to Portland audiences — and none of it would be possible without supporters like you. Today, we’re reaching out because we have an opportunity to make our productions more accessible, more sustainable, and more far-reaching, and we need your help to get there. Any amount helps us, plus we have fabulous perks for you (see below! ↓)!What the donations are for:
Wireless Assistive Listening Headphones
Every patron deserves to experience our shows fully, regardless of hearing ability. New wireless assistive listening equipment will let audience members with hearing loss or in a dead spot of the venue adjust sound levels to their own needs, ensuring no one misses a word of dialogue or a note of music. This is a direct investment in making our theater welcoming to everyone in our community.
A Heat Press for Theater Merchandise
Merchandise sales — t-shirts, tote bags, show posters — are a growing source of earned revenue for arts organizations like ours. A heat press will let us produce professional-quality, custom merchandise in-house for each production, turning every show into an ongoing source of support rather than a one-time event. This equipment will also allow us to offer more variety of merchandise and lower prices.
Expanding Our Podcast’s Reach
Our podcast has become a way to bring our work to people who may never set foot in our theater — from behind-the-scenes conversations to interviews with our artists. With additional support, we can improve our production quality, invest in promotion, and grow our audience well beyond Portland, extending the life and impact of every show we produce.Optional Perks!
Our goal is to raise $1944 by July 20th, 2026. Every gift, at any level, moves us closer:
- Up to $50: you will become a permanent member of the Tesla City Hall of Honor and mentioned at every show!
- $50-$100: gets you a 10% discount code you can use for any of the fall shows in 2026 plus induction into the Tesla City Hall of Honor and mentioned at every show – or – receive any of our special edition pins from one of our shows.
- $100+: gets you a 20% discount code for tickets you can use for any of the fall shows in 2026 plus induction into the Tesla City Hall of Honor – or – receive all three of our special edition pins from one of our shows.
Thank you for standing with us as we work to make theater more accessible, more sustainable, and more far-reaching for our whole community. We couldn’t do this without you.
FAQ
Your shows are always packed? Why would you need more money?
Sadly, all our costs keep rising. Like everyone, inflation has hit us hard. Despite the harsh reality of inflation we have not raised our ticket prices in 2026. We want the show to remain accessible to everyone, which is why we hesitate to raise ticket prices.
Do you own your venue?
We do not own our main venue. We rent the venue on a per show basis and this is our largest expense. Rent has doubled since we returned from COVID.
You are a radio show, but you perform onstage? I don’t understand.
We are a recreation of how it was done in the 1940s! Radio was performed in front of live audiences!
Can I listen to the show outside of the live performances?
You sure can! Enjoy our podcast here: www.TeslaCityPodcast.com
Will my donation really help you?
It will help us immensely. Even $5 will be put to good use.
THE TESLA CITY STORIES
3439 NE Sandy BLVD. #317
Portland, Oregon 97232
ph: 503.877.3341
EMAIL
Original Vintage Radio Theater Live & Direct From 1944!
*Donations will appear on your statement as “Grip Media, Inc.”, which is owned by the Executive Producer of The Tesla City Stories, Jerry Chrisman. Due to fees, donations are non-refundable. ©Copyright 2023 The Tesla City Stories.