StoryCorps to visit Pensacola: NPR broadcast program seeks stories from community
In an era when celebrity gossip, political mudslinging and corporate media reign supreme, it’s easy for authentic, meaningful stories to get lost in the shuffle. That’s why StoryCorps launched what is now one of the largest oral history projects of its kind, enabling everyday people to share their stories with the people that matter most to them through an intimate interview facilitated by StoryCorps. Community members will have an opportunity to record their own story soon, as StoryCorps plans to visit Pensacola from Feb. 11 through March 13, hosted by WUWF Public Media. The StoryCorps MobileBooth will be located in downtown Pensacola at the corner of Palafox and Wright Streets. Registration for interviews will be held in two rounds, the first starting Jan. 28 and the second starting Feb. 12.
“StoryCorps has never been to Northwest Florida before, and we’re very excited that WUWF Public Media has asked us to partner with them to bring our national oral history project to Pensacola,” said Jenna Weiss-Berman, MobileBooth Senior Coordinator for StoryCorps. “Pensacola has a rich history and a very diverse population, and we look forward to collecting stories of everyday residents here.”
Those who listen to NPR’s Morning Edition will be familiar with the short segment StoryCorps interviews, which WUWF Public Media broadcasts every Friday morning on 88.1 FM. Some are funny, some poignant and some thought-provoking, but dedicated listeners can attest to the intimate nature of a StoryCorps interview.
How StoryCorps works:
– Two people will interview or talk to one another as a trained facilitator guides the recorded interviews and handles all of the technical aspects of the recording.
– StoryCorps participants receive a broadcast-quality copy of their interview on CD.
– Edited stories are broadcast on partner public radio stations. One story is broadcast nationally on NPR’s Morning Edition each Friday.
– Interviews are added to the StoryCorps Archive housed at the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress.
The StoryCorps project is dedicated to involving the broadest and most diverse cross section of voices in the community – particularly those who might not hear about it through public radio and other mainstream media.
“The aim is to collect stories from all segments of the population and truly reflect the diversity of the people living here,” said Lynne Marshall, WUWF Public Media, Promotions and Outreach. “StoryCorps interviews are open to anyone. There is no screening process. The slots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.”
Reservations for interviews must be made through the StoryCorps reservation system online or by phone. Reservation information will be available on the WUWF Web site when reservations open Jan. 28 at 10 a.m.
StoryCorps is an independent nonprofit project whose mission is to honor and celebrate one another’s lives through listening. For more information about StoryCorps or its visit to Pensacola, visit wuwf.org or call Marshall at (850) 474-2787.
By Lauren Smith, University Marketing Communications
