The energy at 3S Artspace was electric as audience members flitted through the intimate venue. The crowd included folks from all walks of life chatting and hugging, with laughter abound.
In the audience was host of the Long Story Short podcast, Mark Michael Adams. Adams stood at the back of the venue this time rather than taking to the stage and mused on his own involvement with the series: “ [Long Story Short]... helps everyone because we are able to connect with each other with new intimacy. Although our lives are very different, we are all very much the same! Storytelling shows us that we are not alone. Community is built here”.
Moments before the event began, the six storytellers huddled with host Beth LaMontagne Hall. They took a collective deep breath, which was interrupted by a few giggles, and Hall took the stage. Her easy demeanor gives the audience the feeling that perhaps they are sitting in their own living room about to have a conversation with a dear friend.
This show aimed to explore whatever "back to normal" means for individual storytellers, how "normal" changes over time, and how we try to find "normalcy" in our lives.
Featured speakers included: Rose Wild, Katie Lianza, Ryan Chiavetta and Brooke Williams.
Chiavetta, who shared his story about suffering from depression during the COVID-19 pandemic, shares Adam’s viewpoint “...storytelling has so many benefits. It can be cathartic for the storyteller, possibly giving them an opportunity to address and confront events from their life they might not otherwise”.
NHPR will broadcast Long Story Short: Back to Normal on Friday, March 24 at 8 PM, and again Saturday, March 25 at 4 PM. Listen on-air, online, or with the NHPR app.
NHPR Presents is an initiative to elevate the state's non-profit arts community. By sharing our air-space we hope to support New Hampshire's storytellers, writers, actors, and performers, by broadening audiences with diverse and creative talents. You can check out previous radio broadcasts of the NHPR Presents: Long Story Short series here.
Long Story Short Themes & Dates for 2023:
- Back to Normal, March 8
- Portsmouth Past, Present & Future, June 14
- Second Wind, September 13
- Love on the Brain, December 13
About Long Story Short:
Long Story Short is not just a storytelling event. This quarterly storytelling series features local performers from across the region, and are based on fun themes that allow each participant to bring their own unique experiences to life. Long Story Short was founded in 2015 as a live storytelling series aimed at featuring both professional and non-professional storytellers and performers from across New England. Hosted by Beth LaMontagne Hall, the live shows are held quarterly at 3S Artspace in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
Follow Long Story Short on Facebook: www.facebook.com/LSSat3S or check out their podcast at www.longstoryshortpod.com.
