A single armchair is set on the warmly lit stage. A stuffed rabbit rests on its cushion. Enlisted staff bring the last of the crowd to their seats. Morrison Theatre has filled, precisely at 3 PM, as Newbury Court residents eagerly await their neighbors’ stories.

This was the second Storytelling event at Newbury Court, organized by resident Lynn Stroud and modeled after NPR’s “The Moth.” The framework involved five resident storytellers, each given eight minutes to share a story about a moment that changed their lives, without the aid of notes. Although storytellers were selected in advance, the audience had no idea what they were about to hear. In January 2024, Mrs. Stroud first introduced this event at Newbury Court. It was so successful that the program will continue as a tradition.

In Mrs. Stroud’s words, “Everyone has a story to tell, and when you share your story, you are sharing love.”

For this program, first up was Mr. Barrett, “How I Earned the Rabbit Raising Merit Badge.” Taking the crowd from his childhood during World War Two, to a Boy Scout rabbit raising competition, to extreme proliferation, into lessons of responsibility, Mr. Barrett used the stuffed rabbit on stage to add hilarity to his story.

Next was Mrs. Culver, “Six Days in a Nigerian Jail.” Mrs. Culver related to the audience by describing how a work trip with her husband turned into a nightmare vacation—a classic case of misunderstanding—that crossed the highest levels of the Nigerian Government.  

Following her was Ms. Stinson, “Encountering a Python, Two Boa Constrictors, and a Gardner Snake.” Mrs. Stinson brought listeners back to second grade in Boston, instilling how an open-minded curiosity can connect to the child in all of us.

Afterward, Mr. Lynn presented, “My Brush with History.” In his story, Mr. Lynn implored the audience to see parallels between the war in which his espionage-involved, former landlord was tortured and today’s global conflicts.

In the final act, Mrs. Nash shared “Baby Number Three.” Amid much laughter from the audience, she recounted one of her childbirth experiences and how to forge ahead when the best intentions of others go awry.

As Amy Capofreddi, Vice President of Development at Newbury Court notes of this program, “The Storytelling program at Newbury Court has strengthened the fabric of who we are as a community.  A small glimpse into someone’s history, no matter what the story, is embraced by everyone.”

Thank you to all who attended and participated in this very special event!