The Story of 'Open Mic Story Night'

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Anna Dery, the visionary behind 'Open Mic Story Night,' embarked on her storytelling/sharing/collecting journey during her first year at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma in Washington. She created a show called 'Open Mic Story Night'  on the student-run radio station, which is now blossoming into a beautiful and growing community. 

Anna's passion for storytelling was ignited at an unforgettable open mic night experience which inspired her to explore more opportunities to both hear and share stories. This deep-seated belief in the transformative power of storytelling has been the driving force behind her work. Anna is a frequent goer of open mic nights in her original home in Colorado, in the Seattle area, and wherever her travels take her. 

 Anna is now channeling her dedication to narrative into expanding 'Open Mic Story Night' from a radio show into a podcast. Her mission is to bring unique and compelling stories to a wider audience, dedicated to having more voices heard and more stories shared.

Firefly Connections is a series of open mic events hosted by 'Open Mic Story Night'. These gatherings are designed to foster our shared human experience through the power of storytelling, featuring a blend of curated storytellers and open mic opportunities. 

Storytelling Guidelines

1. Authenticity Matters: Share a true story from your own life. 
2. Structured Narrative: Ensure your story has a clear beginning, middle, end. 
3. Stay on Theme (relatively): Every event has a unique theme - embrace it!
4. Time Guidelines: we encourage stories to be between 5-10 minutes. 
5. Respecting the Space: This is a safe environment for everyone. No homophobia, sexism, racism, etc. 

While we encourage you to connect with the audience without notes, your comfort is paramount. We believe in the power of your voice and story, free from barriers. Join us and share your unique narrative—we're eager to listen!

'Open Mic Story Night' is made possible by the active participants in the storytelling community! 

Get Involved:

1. Be a storyteller on the show!
2. Drop a line about a story you think Anna should pursue. 
3. Come to a live event, to just be an audience member, storyteller or (ideally) both!  

Other great ways to hone your storytelling craft exist all around you. Open mic nights in your community are a great way to start getting involved in storytelling.