Five Reasons Why Firefly Is For You

For those brave enough to shine their light on stage in the darkness, sharing their true stories in a room filled with so-called strangers, Firefly is for you. 

For those craving connection, community, humanity, empathy—and who are perhaps looking for more depth and a different perspective—Firefly is for you.

For those who want something fun, different, and unique to do in a cool space on a hot Tuesday summer evening—or who may want to release some tears of laughter and/or sorrow— Firefly is for you.

On Tuesday, August 5, Firefly is remerging and landing at a new home—Two River Theater in Red Bank—for an evening of live storytelling on the theme of heat. The event combines three featured storytellers with five storytellers from the audience whose names will be picked out of a hat live on stage. 

As someone who used to attend and participate in The Moth and First Person Arts’ story slams in Philadelphia, both of which were held at the same amazing venue—World Café Live, I knew there had to be an easier and more affordable way for me as a solo parent and working mother to participate in live storytelling. Knowing there are so many talented storytellers right here at home in Monmouth County, we at PWN created Firefly, sharing our passion for the craft with our local community. 

Though this event was first launched a couple years ago, we took a bit of a sacred pause this past year as we planned a number of upgrades behind-the-scenes. In addition to the venue change, we are now allowing notes, holding space for those who feel more comfortable with pages to refer to. And in the spirit of community > competition, there will no longer be any judging and we’ll have a reception after the show so audience members can connect with storytellers and each other.

Whether you’ve been writing for years and have been looking for a place to share your work or have zero experience with writing and storytelling, here are the top five reasons to join us for Firefly:

1. Connection – You’ll hear some incredible stories told by some phenomenal people. The power of hearing honest, first-person stories creates a sense of belonging, reminding us of our shared humanity. 
2. Vulnerability – For some people like me, the opportunity to be seen, heard, and understood is essential to our being and well-being. For the writer/storyteller/everyday person who has the courage to tell a story on stage, this is where your vulnerability muscle gets to flex and showcase its strength. It’s quite an empowering release.
3. Community – Whether you’re there to listen or to throw your name in the hat, community is cultivated through the vulnerable shares and audience reactions, and magic is created when human beings exhibit empathy and any wide range of emotions. Firefly has been a first date for some couples. Two of our featured storytellers even became roommates after meeting and connecting at Firefly. Come hang with our PWN crew and perhaps meet somebody new!
4. Venue – We’re super excited for Firefly to land at its new home—Two River Theater—especially during the season when fireflies shine brightest! This state-of-the-art facility is gorgeous and inviting. TRT also has a pretty remarkable, super talented staff too and we are so grateful for our partnership. (Did I mention it’s near the train station and there’s a free parking lot on site?)
5. MZA – No other live storytelling event features yours truly as the host. Equally as passionate about storytelling as I am connecting people, Firefly has been a labor of love. It’s a beautiful blending of who I am and what I feel called to do. As the MC and co-creator of Firefly, it’s of the utmost importance to me that the audience is comfortable and enjoys themselves.

Whether you have experienced the power of live storytelling firsthand or not, I’d like to think of it as some sort of an ancient testimonial. Before there were cell phones, tablets, televisions, and radios, we gathered and shared stories. Before people were divided by politics, geography, and culture, we gathered and shared stories. Before written word even existed, we gathered and shared stories.

As a descendant of genocide survivors and a survivor of childhood abuse, I know the importance of sharing true stories. I know how hard some people work to silence others, all while changing the narrative. To anyone who’s ever come from a group of marginalized people, you may understand the importance of live storytelling more than others. To those who know about the dangers of burning books and erasing history, only for it to be rewritten by the victors, you may have a better sense of the vital importance of live storytelling. Many storytellers are vocal not just for themselves, but also for the voiceless. This is bigger than any of us individually. After all, history tends to repeat itself.

While fear of public speaking remains a top terror for some people, it’s when I feel the most alive. Being on stage with a mic, sharing my truth (whether it be via storytelling or poetry), is when I feel like I’m standing in my power, serving my purpose. To now offer this same outlet for release and connection to my own beloved community is such a blessing for which I am super grateful.

When I walked through my darkest of days, my inner light may have been dimmed, but it was never extinguished. An ember in me still flickered. Stories yet to be told filled the pages of my journals and tabs in my memory, awaiting the time and space to share them and shine bright. I can still hear teenage MZA rapping Nas’ lyrics, “All I need is one mic.” Well, friends, that’s exactly what we have to offer—a mic, stage, and audience. Until then, shine on, fellow fireflies. 

Firefly:Stories Out Loud will be held at the Two River Theater (21 Bridge Ave, Red Bank) on Tuesday, August 5. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.; show begins at 7 p.m. Get your ticket here.