Posts Tagged ‘ Joe’s Pub ’

Kelly Keenan Trumpbour: So, Scott: Since we’re both telling stories in the Encore, Encore show next week, this is a fine time for us to chat a little about the story business. First, an essential question: What, for you, is the number-one component you think makes a story great?

Scott Shumaker: I would say that if a story is a mirror—if it reflects a facet of life that is universal and shows it in an interesting and usually funny way—it’s a great story. If people immediately see themselves in the situation, they are drawn to what you say and take something away from it. What do you think?

KKT: I completely agree. I also think there needs to be an element of surprise, and I think it helps if it’s something a little bit beyond your own self-discovery. You want the audience learning about something they have a stake in, no matter how tangential the connection.

Everyone is connected by how we experience relationships, work, life in general. But a really good story takes the mundane up a notch.

SS: That connection is crucial. It makes or breaks a story, really.