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

March 10
Theme: CAUGHT!
Featured Storyteller: Kelly Richardson

April 14
Theme: Loopholes
Featured Storyteller: David Rodriguez

March 12
Theme: Culture Clash
Featured Storyteller: Ruth Shwarz

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

March’s Theme: “Caught!” Sometimes we get caught red-handed. Sometimes we get caught off guard. Maybe you were caught in a lie, caught in a storm, caught between choices, or even caught in the act of doing something unexpectedly brave. Tell us about a moment when you were caught, how you responded and what you learned.

Our Featured Storyteller, Kelly Richardson, holds a BA from UC Berkeley, an MFA from NYU, and she was a Fulbright awardee in Rio de Janeiro. She works as a writer, independent documentary filmmaker, and, as a more stable and secure “day job,” a stunt performer in Hollywood films.

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