I’m a writer, performer, and teacher based in New York’s Hudson Valley. I created and hosted Story Social, a storytelling open mic which ran for three years at QED Astoria. I’ve taught storytelling to legal aid organizations through Rasa Advising, a small but mighty consultancy I co-founded in 2016 (currently in hibernation), and I also work as a writer in technology, which means I think a lot about communication, bias, and transparency (scroll to the end of that piece for some basic tips for addressing gender bias in tech). I love talking about any and all of these things, so feel free to say hello anytime.
In the meantime, stories! Enjoy.
A while back, the generous, thoughtful Canadian storyteller and producer Keith Serry asked me if I wanted to tell a story on The Volume Knob, his podcast about how songs can save you. That led me to one of the toughest things I’ve ever written, and one of the most important to me. Also? My mom did an amazing thing, and you should know about it. (Keith opens with a lovely story of his own, which you should absolutely listen to. But if you’re pressed for time, Color and Light — from Sondheim’s Sunday in the Park with George, because what theater kid doesn’t deal with hardship through song? — kicks in at 8:05.)
When the folks at The Artichoke asked for pitches for their monthly show, which they produce in an elegant space for a warm, smart, classy crowd, I was like, “So you wanna hear about when I worked for an escort service?” And they DID.
On the “Suddenly” episode of RISK! (that’s #1206 if you’re counting) you’ll find Chemistry Class, a tale of me and my 10th-grade science teacher caught in a pair of parallel secrets. (Kevin Allison‘s overall show preview is always delightful, but if you want to skip ahead, his intro to this story starts at about 2:59, and the story itself kicks in at 3:27).
From Robin Gelfenbien’s hilarious story show + ice cream cake party Yum’s the Word comes Judge Julie, a story in which I do my best to make justice more dumb than blind.
The Best Gig, in which Shakespeare triumphs over reform school. I told this version live at a Moth StorySlam at the Bitter End in New York City; the theme for the night was Gratitude.
Running for Home, in which 10-year-old me makes a break for it in the unlikeliest of getaway vehicles. Recorded at Tell It: Brooklyn’s third anniversary show, which supported the National Runaway Safeline and which I was thrilled to be part of.
A Midsummer Slam, in which Shakespeare is harder than you think. Recorded the first of several times I was lucky enough to be the guest storyteller at the CUNY School of Journalism’s annual storytelling night.
The League of Ordinarily Bearded Gentlemen, in which, in the end, my father may have been a superhero. Studio recording courtesy of Alex Goldmark—radio producer, CUNY journalism professor and general mensch.