Reflecting on Irvine Talks and the Power of Storytelling
In a year defined by so much hardship, struggle, and loss, one thing that brings us together and grounds us is the understanding that each and every one of us has a story to tell. It’s what makes us human. Every person we’ve ever met, every obstacle we’ve had to overcome has shaped each and every one of us into unique people with unique pasts and a unique future. But unique doesn’t necessarily mean alone.
Irvine Talks was founded on this belief that everyone has a story to tell, and that we all can connect through sharing these experiences. Founded by a group of students only 3 years ago, this city-wide event spans all 6 high schools in the Irvine Unified School District and is a celebration of vulnerability, storytelling, and all the other parts of us that make us human through art and performance. It’s also held a very special place in my heart since I first attended the event my freshman year. The way the performers were able to be so open and vulnerable when sharing their stories blew me away, and I remember sitting in the audience and being able to see bits and pieces of my own story being told through the lenses and experiences of people who I had never spoken to in my life.
That connection is so powerful. And in a year as chaotic, painful, and, of course, “unprecedented” as this last year has been, the need for storytelling has never been more evident. I’m so beyond grateful to have been given the opportunity to have been a part of putting on this year’s event, which, after 2 postponements, 9 months of planning, many socially distanced rehearsals, and a whole lot of tears, was actually able to happen in person. Irvine Talks: Chapter 4 took place on March 27th, 2021 and 19 performers told their stories to an audience capped at just under 150 and it was one of the proudest nights of my life.
It also served as a bridge between two things that have been a huge part of my life in the last year: Irvine Talks, and, of course, Hearts to Heroes! I got to watch Armita, our Communications Director, give a talk about her experience immigrating to America at a young age, and listened to Swathi, our very own Secretary, sing about the human experience. It was definitely a bit of a “worlds-collide” moment.
Continuing to share our own stories and experiences and allowing that vulnerability to bring us closer together is the only way we can move forward from here. You might even say it’s essential. Because reflecting on our past, looking at how much we’ve grown, and seeing the world from new perspectives is what makes us human.
