
At its core, the event aimed to celebrate and demonstrate the myriad ways storytelling is a central part of our lives. “Plot Device” set out to break the stereotypes of storytelling and expand our audience’s notions of who storytellers are. Storytelling is an art as old as the human race. We have an innate compulsion to tell stories. While the forms of storytelling evolve with the advent of new technologies, the drive remains the same. We want our stories to be heard, passed down, told and retold.
Student leaders from Slippery Rock University began the program by sharing opportunities for storytelling through their organizations. Jenna Moses, senior Professional and Creative Writing major and co-managing editor of SLAB Literary Magazine, spoke about SLAB’s wide-reaching audience and their inclusivity of unique narrative forms. Piper Jones, junior Gender Studies and Social Work major and co-president of the Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance, promoted FMLA’s monologue writing and performance collection coming Spring 2020.
You can find out more about SLAB & FMLA by following them on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook @slab.lit.mag and @fmlasru
Our first storyteller, Thomas Thompson, a recent SRU graduate, is the creator and writer of the “Dirty History” podcast. Thomas joined us virtually via video chat and his co-creator, Andrew Henley, assisted in asking and answering questions. His podcast focuses on the lesser known, unpleasant aspects of history that are frequently left out of public history. Thomas shared about his process of finding material and creating narratives, explaining that the stories he shares already exist and merely need to be uncovered. Thomas and Andrew spoke about how media and technology has changed storytelling, pointing out that podcasts are simply a modern continuation of the ancient tradition of oral storytelling. When asked why it is important to tell these stories, Thomas defended the “dirty” side of history by saying that it is often misrepresented. He said these stories deserve a place in history as they are without “sensationalizing or fetishizing them.”
You can find Thomas’s work here: Dirty History Podcast or follow him on social media @dirtyhistorypod
We transitioned to our next storyteller, the sensitive and soft-spoken Stephanie Strasburg. Stephanie is a Pittsburgh-based photojournalist who is “drawn to explore the evolving landscape, economy, and sociopolitical conditions of the Rust Belt and is interested in developing new ways for stories to be found and shared in her community.” Stephanie shared her long-term storytelling process, displaying photos and videos from some of the many stories she has given voice to. She spoke about building trust with the subjects of her stories, which requires great empathy and respect for the people whose stories she tells. Stephanie shared about the complexity of every person – no one is simply black and white, but rather we are gray, messy, fragile people.
Find the story she shared at the event here: Life and Death on Santron Avenue
You can find Stephanie’s work here: Stephanie Strasburg Photo or follow her on social media @stephaniestrasburg
Our final storyteller, Joe Wos, is a professional cartoonist, maze creator, and author. Joe is a dynamic speaker, incorporating live drawing, personal stories, and audience interaction. Joe spoke about his journey as a cartoonist, demonstrating his drawing skills with a live illustration of one of the first stories he ever wrote. He said that people are drawn to stories because there is something in every story that relates to us personally. When asked by an audience member why he believes people respond so well to cartoons, Joe explained that cartoons do two contrasting things: they exaggerate and they simplify. Cartoons help us see ourselves and others in a more understandable way.
You can find Joe’s work here: Maze Toons or follow him on social media @mazetoons
“Plot Device: Media & Storytelling” was an incredible evening. Stay tuned for future Stone House Center for Public Humanities collaborative community programs!