Name: Firefly: Stories Out Loud
Start: 2025-11-18T18:30:00-05:00
Location: Two River Theater

Firefly: Stories Out Loud
A live community storytelling event hosted by Meredith Z. Avakian
📅 Tuesday, November 18
⏰ Doors Open 6:30 p.m. | Showtime 7 p.m.
📍 Two River Theater located at 21 Bridge Avenue, Red Bank, NJ
Firefly is back and it’s bigger, bolder, and brighter than ever in its new home at the beautiful Two River Theater!
Whether you’re stepping up to the mic or simply soaking it all in, Firefly invites you to experience the power of live, true, first-person storytelling. These are real stories of joy, heartbreak, humor, struggle, and triumph—told by everyday people, on stage, in front of a live audience. No judges. Just community and connection.
Lighting Up the Firefly Stage:
✨ Three featured storytellers (announced soon!)
🎤 Five names pulled from a hat—come early if you want to throw your name in
🫶 A welcoming, no-pressure environment—bring your story and your whole self
What’s New This Season:
We’ve made a few exciting changes to better reflect our community values ...
~New venue! – We’re excited to move Firefly to the Two River Theater! Did we mention there’s a free parking lot on-site?!
~Notes welcome – While memorization is encouraged, storytellers who feel more comfortable reading their stories can bring their notes onto the stage.
~No judging – In the spirit of community over competition, we no longer will include guest judges or any form of rating the stories.
~Post-show hang – After the show, mingle in the beautiful Two River Theater lobby with storytellers and fellow guests to connect and enjoy concessions.
~Storytelling Consultation – You are welcome to submit your story for a consultation with our storytelling coaches. This is a high-level consultation providing general feedback on your story. Deadline: October 30. Please email [email protected] to submit your piece as a Word or Google Doc with “Firefly Storytelling Consultation” in the subject line. Please note: we will return feedback within five to seven business days.
Featured Storytellers will be announced soon!
Want to Tell a Story?
If you’d like to throw your name in the hat for a chance to share your story on the Firefly stage on November 18, come prepared with a true, five-minute story on the theme MONSTERS.
Need help finding your angle? Try one of these fiery prompts—or bring your own interpretation:
👹 Have you ever faced a “real-life monster”—a person, fear, or obstacle—you had to overcome?
👹 Have you ever come face-to-face with the “green-eyed monster” of jealousy (your own or someone else’s)?
👹 Was there ever a challenge so dauntingly large—a monstosity—that just thinking about it sent chills down your spine?
👹 Have you ever found yourself playing the role of monster?
👹 Do you have a notable memory of a monster costume?
👹 Have you ever spotted a monster (real or imagined) that no one else believed was there?
Note: Stories must align with PWN’s mission to foster an inclusive, supportive environment.