 "Photo: Courtesy of R. Sam Chaney")
Second chances and romances – that's what's on the menu for Quinnipiac's first ever MothUP event, hosted by Quixotic, the new campus literary group. The event is scheduled to take place on Mar. 18 at 8 p.m. in Buckman Theater.
“The themes were picked to try and capitalize on having the event post-Valentine’s Day, but also in spring, when we usually think about new beginnings,” said the Quixotic's co-founder, R. Sam Chaney. With that in mind, if you're a good storyteller, or know someone who is, then Quixotic wants you.
A MothUP is basically a live storytelling event, so there's no need to worry about writing well. Although the idea is simple, it offers unlimited entertainment potential. All you have to do is get on stage and tell a story that fits the bill in five to 10 minutes, be it comedic or tragic.
Chaney said interested parties should send a short summary of their intended monologue to Quixotic@quinnipiac.edu. On the night of, participant's names will be picked from a hat and, time permitting, everyone will get a chance to recount their tales of love lost or found. There are even rumors swirling that certain professors are planning to appear.
Chaney also offered some words of wisdom for MothUP participants to make the most of their performance. First off, start with the good stuff – have an attention grabbing opener—and know your story well enough that you can cover the details while still having a good time. Use your summary as an outline and don't worry about your next line, as watching you struggle for it can be downright awkward for everyone else. In other words, think of the event as an extended dinner party and not a deposition. There will be soda, pizza and a variety of snacks served, so that shouldn't be too hard.
Absolutely everyone is welcome—especially the timid, looking to break out of their shell. Quixotic hopes the MothUP will get its name out there, as well as bring students together who otherwise might never meet.
If you've ever had a moment where you've said to yourself 'Wow. That'll make a good story,' or laughed when someone else was telling one, or cried, or had a whole new world opened by hearing the words of someone else's life come out, then I assure you this will be a truly fun event Chaney said.
And he's not alone in that sentiment. In its “Best of New York” issue, The Village Voice called the latest literary craze, “an exuberant moveable feast.” Across the pond, The Times of London said these non-professional performances are regularly “enthralling, funny and moving.”
Still unsure of what to expect? Check out TheMoth.org, which has more info about Moths (than one could ever hope to find out. The Web site includes podcasts of others, such as celebrities like Ethan Hawke and Moby, doing their own. If that doesn't suffice, show up to a Quixotic gathering and ask some questions – the group meets every other Wednesday in SC227 at 7:15 p.m.. Otherwise, just expect the unexpected – it's live, so anything can happen!
Be the first to comment on this article!