Storytelling Group Comes to Union Hall

Next Tuesday, Union Hall debuts the incredibly successful storytelling series, Story Collider, Stories About Science. 

Inspired, by the gold standard in storytelling, The Moth, Story Collider absolutely holds its own.

The show’s mission, it seems, is to bring science to life. The audience will listen to stories from famous science writers, speechwriters, a novelist, a blogger, an editor and a visual artist. 

“From finding awe in Hubble images to visiting the doctor, science is everywhere in our lives. Whether we wear a white lab coat or haven't seen a test tube since 8th grade, science affects and changes us. We all have a story about science, and at The Story Collider, we want to hear those stories,” its website reads.

 Story Collider had more than 20 shows last year at Pacific Standard, presenting themes as disparate as “Geek Week,” and “Parallel Universe.

At a time when technology rules entertainment, with 3-D TVs and entire movies shot in front of blue screens, Story Collider’s shows rely not on technology, but the effects of a good story and a human voice. There are no special effects, no hi-tech sonic tricks, no smoke and mirrors. Just the stage, the performers, the microphone and a good old story.

When Brian Wecht, a co-founder and a postdoctoral researcher in theoretical particle physics and string theory, introduced last month’s show, he explained, “We want to hear about a time in your life when science made a difference to you. What we don’t care about are facts.”

Ben Lilie, co-founder and high-energy particle physicist, echoed: “No, not at all. This is not at all what we’re doing!” 

The Family Science show that played last August, featured singer/songwriter Allison Downey and her talk about maternal instincts versus a husband’s practical but misguided tough love. Writer Julie Kraut described a-day-in-the life of her childhood growing up with two parents who were psychologists to hilarious effect. Comedian Kelli Porterfield took us on journey through family genetics, engaging the audience with eyes a-twinkle, charming southern twang and big bang ending.

But Rachel Bitney Wecht told all about the genesis of her marriage to co-founder, Brian. Rachel’s story closed with, "Some day a string theorist may discover the theory of everything in the universe, but nothing beats an improviser and a little geological time and pressure."

Union Hall’s first Science Collider show, “The Science of Writing,” will be hosted by, Erin Barker, the producer. The show will feature speechwriter, Mark Katz, science writer Carl Zimmer, novelist Anna North, blogger Amanda Marcotte, science writer and editor, Bora Zivkovic and visual artist Tricia Rose Burt.

While science may sound a little drowsy or academic, there is no doubt that these science writers will make you laugh.

In fact, when Moth storyteller and workshop teacher, Peter Aguero hosts story slams, he often likens the experience to church:

“[This is] a place where people come together and share deep feelings and experiences, where the personal is universal and resonates in unique ways within us all,” he said at a recent show.

Well, that sounds like religion, not science. Well, come and test it out for yourself.