What Your Social Life Needs Now Is Live and Its Local

When we hear a great true story, something happens to us emotionally. We fall in love a little. We connect. Listening is an active form of social connection. Simply giving our attention to the same thing at the same time and taking an emotional "ride" together transforms strangers into a community. Genuine feelings activated by the storyteller, and the way we relate to their experience, can make the world seem a little less lonely and scary. This may be why true, in-person storytelling shows are becoming more and more popular in this time of always-online social media.

Jessica Robinson, founder and host of Better Said Than Done, a not-for-profit organization based in Fairfax VA that produces local storytelling shows that regularly sell out, sees the impact these shows have on peoples' social life. “As a producer, I am privileged to hear a lot of stories about how people formed friendships. In some cases, it’s storytellers who share a connection based on creation and style. Lots of tellers have met through us and gone on to work together. In some cases, people have become friends because they found a connection in someone’s story.”

In October, Robinson will be performing in Long Island's (mostly) TRUE THINGS Storytelling Show, a monthly event bringing people together to hear true stories and play a story-themed game for the past 10 years at The Performing Arts Studio in Port Jefferson. (mostly) TRUE THINGS has welcomed storytellers from Long Island, New York City, Connecticut and New Jersey to be part of their monthly line-up, and audience members have an opportunity to share a short true story of their own on the show's theme.

Stories from people from backgrounds vastly different from our own build a bridge of understanding that is uniquely powerful. We might see ourselves in the storyteller's situation, or we might discover something about the world we might not otherwise have known. Good stories engage the heart, the thinking mind and the imagination, increasing the possibility of seeing the world and other people in some new way. "When your mind is open, your heart is open," says Amy Saidman, Executive Artistic Director of Story District, a not-profit organization that sells out storytelling shows in Washington D.C., and offers in-person and online storytelling classes. “Our siloed digital media online existence needs a balance with in-person, real-life human encounters."

As Long Island's local storytelling scene expands, every live show cultivates a special kind of community and social connection. The Muse Exchange features original poetry and story in shows produced at Industry in Huntington as well as other locations, is one regular opportunity to share something original, authentic and artistic. Experiencing others' taking the creative risk to tell their story can give us courage. And insight. And a lightness of heart through comedy dealing with what we all go through in life.

We need each others' stories for inspiration. The energy to keep going toward our goals - or through a difficult challenge - grows when we know we are not alone in our struggles. "It is a fantastic feeling to realize people are actively engaged and listening," says Amy Saidman. "You just might experience being understood by people in an entirely new - and surprisingly profound - way." Whether in the audience or on the stage, at a storytelling show you are part of something special. It’s live. It’s local. And it’s good for your heart.