Conundrum Chronicles
(A StorySlam)
Hosted by Fred Brill

Where Stories are Told * Moral Dilemmas Unfold * Judgements are Bold!

In Person at The Marsh San Francisco Mainstage

Second Tuesdays at 7:00 pm


Upcoming Performances

June 9

Theme: Obsession

Tell a true story about something you couldn’t let go of: a person, a dream, a grudge, a goal, a hobby, a mystery, a craving. Maybe your obsession changed your life… or nearly ruined it. Was there a time you went too far, lost perspective, struck gold, hit bottom, or discovered something unforgettable because you just couldn’t walk away?

Featured Storyteller: Santosh Kumar

Santosh Kumar lives in Fremont and works as a software engineer. A multiple-time Toastmasters contest winner, he has been featured on Radio Zindagi 1550 AM, appeared on the award-winning Bay to Bay, Toastmasters Time TV, and shared many a Moth story. Santosh believes storytelling should be raw, real, and unfiltered– because somewhere, someone needs your story to survive.

July 14
Storytelling Summit
Theme: Stranded!
Winners from the past year will compete for the Conundrum Chronicles Crown

Throw your name in the hat for a chance to tell a true, 5-minute story, about you, or be the judge… or kick back and enjoy the transformational power of live storytelling!


Ticket Information

Tickets: $10 – $25 General Seating sliding scale | $50 & $100 Reserved Seating

Online ticket sales close 2 hours before each performance,
and additional tickets may be available for purchase at the door.

105 minutes | No Intermission | All Ages
Please do not bring infants to the show

Please read our
Health, Safety and COVID-19 Information
Our commitment to our patrons


Theme & Featured Storytellers

June’s Theme: “OBSESSION!”  Tell a true story about something you couldn’t let go of: a person, a dream, a grudge, a goal, a hobby, a mystery, a craving. Maybe your obsession changed your life… or nearly ruined it. Was there a time you went too far, lost perspective, struck gold, hit bottom, or discovered something unforgettable because you just couldn’t walk away?

Featured Storyteller: Santosh Kumar

Santosh Kumar lives in Fremont and works as a software engineer. A multiple-time Toastmasters contest winner, he has been featured on Radio Zindagi 1550 AM, appeared on the award-winning Bay to Bay, Toastmasters Time TV, and shared many a Moth story. Santosh believes storytelling should be raw, real, and unfiltered– because somewhere, someone needs your story to survive.


How it Works

The Conundrum Chronicles uses a StorySlam format that challenges storytellers to share a five-minute story about a moral dilemma they have confronted. (First-time storytellers are especially welcome!) Audience members are then invited to discuss, and score each story based on the elements of the stories, giving meaningful feedback to the storytellers.

Guidelines:

  • Seven storytellers are drawn from a hat on the night of the performance. There will also be a featured storyteller
  • All stories must be true, about you, and connected to the theme.
  • No notes are allowed.
  • Stories must be respectful of individuals, avoiding disparagement based on culture, class, race, sex, religion, language, gender identity, sexual preference, age, and ability/disability.
  • Stories must be five minutes long (with a one minute grade period).
  • After each story is told, audience members will have the opportunity to discuss the qualities of the stories with their friends and elbow partners.
  • Audience members will then score storytellers using a Google Survey based on:
    • Authenticity
    • Entertainment
    • Stakes/Tension
    • Heart-touching
    • Reflection and Resolution

Through this unique scoring system, not only will the winning story be determined, but storytellers will receive real-time feedback on the impact of their narratives. Celebrate the power of storytelling to entertain, inspire reflection, and empathy.

Each year, the winning storyteller from each month will be invited to participate in THE STORYTELLING SUMMIT OF THE CONUNDRUM CHRONICLES!

Storytellers may purchase videos of their performances for $35.00