Storytelling is among the oldest and most effective forms of communication; it\u2019s taken various shapes and forms since the beginning of humanity.<\/p>\n
Thus, it\u2019s no great surprise that Finest City Improv, the home of the largest variety of improvised comedy in San Diego, has decided to feature the tradition in its monthly show, A Moment of Truth.<\/p>\n
Finest City Improv founder Amy Lisweski said that while expert improvisers are trained to embrace off-the-cuff storytelling, the storytellers in this show aren\u2019t all trained in improv.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re speaking from the heart and sharing their values, their truths and their memories in a very open way,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Joining the show this month is Mission Valley resident Kendall Burdett. He, along with co-host Robert Rutherford, hope to get participants to embrace the idea of being vulnerable.<\/p>\n The pair are part of The Narrators San Diego, a group which promotes the art of storytelling and provides community access to storytelling events. Last year, The Narrators found a home in San Diego every second Tuesday of each month at Tiger! Tiger! Tavern.<\/p>\n The group has since united with Finest City Improv to tell stories and cultivate an atmosphere of support and joyful honesty.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Moment of Truth is something we wanted to do because it involves improv along with storytelling, which is another thing that\u2019s becoming big [in San Diego]. The city has a huge storytelling community,\u201d Burdett said, adding that there is a lot of overlap between the two genres. \u201c[The show] intersects them by having people tell true stories from their lives. They\u2019ll come up and draw the theme out of a hat and they\u2019ll need to tell that story on the spot. That\u2019s where the improv part comes in.\u201d<\/p>\n Although some will be funny, Burdett said some of the best stories are more dramatic.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s no preparation for this other than what someone draws out of the hat,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Interested volunteers will be invited on stage to tell five-minute stories; they won\u2019t be interrupted. The subjects will vary and will range from awkward and hilarious to heartbreaking and inspired.<\/p>\n Lisewski describes the best part of the show as the moment when the storyteller hears their audience-chosen topic.<\/p>\n \u201cWhile they take a minute to digest their topic, you can see the wheels turning and the creative process unfolding,\u201d she said. \u201cWe all have these moments in life where we must pause, think about our next step, and then move forward with confidence. It\u2019s a very moving moment to witness.\u201d<\/p>\n Burdett said he wants people to know that those who attend the performance are by no means required to participate.<\/p>\n \u201cJust being in the audience is wonderful,\u201d he said. \u201cIf people want to participate or volunteer they should know this is the most supportive environment they can imagine. There is no failing here. The best stories are the ones that are true and you should never be afraid to share something from your life, no matter how awkward, embarrassing or vulnerable it makes you,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s OK to be vulnerable in life, on stage and off.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Mission](\"https:\/\/missionvalleynews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Kendall-Burdettwebtop.jpg\")
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