As live storytelling grows into a cultural phenomenon, six performers share their journey into its spotlight. They came from different worlds: comedy, improv, illustration, writing, full-time parenting and architecture. Storytelling shows in venues across New York City gave them a voice, but more...

What are some of the current cultural trends that are lending themselves to the success
of live (or audio recorded) storytelling?

The telling of a story itself became the final step of personal transformation.

How mining his past for stories and then telling them have changed him.

The ebb and flow of stage stories as shows came increasingly into the cultural spotlight.

Tim (with Jen) speculates on how the scene and its players could potentially “blow up”.

(Even though in this moment in time, some people might think it is.)

The kind of listening during a live show that makes something possible beyond standard
social scripts.

How humor becomes apparent in retrospect and can help balance the heavier weight of
a difficult story.

Ed tells a story as an audience member of a time when a story that should have been thrilling simply wasn’t, and he shares his thoughts on bringing the room with you.

When he hit the Big Apple, Adam became an NBC page and received great advice from
his boss, Colin Quinn.

Just because someone is on stage or behind a microphone doesn’t mean they are an open book--in fact, often the contrary.