Five years ago, Erin Givarz and Matthew Stoner became roommates in Austin, TX, after crossing paths via Craiglist. Realizing they held the same love for sharing human experiences through storytelling, Matt and Erin decided to invite hundreds of Austinites to join them in their own backyard.

At Hyde Park Storytelling, local storytellers share their real-life experiences all centered around one common theme. On March 7th, the theme of the night was lucky, but unlike other storytelling events that are highly curated, no one knows exactly what these storytellers will share until the moment they reach the mic.

As a stand-up, comedian, co-founder Matthew hopes Hyde Park can be an empowering space for those who wouldn’t otherwise have the stage, because "everyone's stories matter". From heart-wrenching tales of love and loss to hilarious moments with a loved one or simply once-in-a-ilfetime moments of pure luck, these storytellers captivated the audience.

More than an outlet for simply sharing these captivating moments of life, Hyde Park Storytelling serves as a unifying community for Austinites of all walks of life. For Matthew and Erin, it's all about bringing people together. "It’s really hard to hate people when you hear their stories," Givarz explains.

While no two stories at Hyde Park are the same, storytellers and audience members alike can find comfort in the fact that they're never truly alone. It's this space's refreshing dedication to honestly, compassion, and mutual vulnerability that makes "Austin feel a little bit smaller," according to co-founder, Matthew Stoner.

While millions around the world now must shelter in place due to COVID-19, communities like Hyde Park Storytelling that give us something to look forward to.

To learn more or attend one of their virtual storytelling events, visit Hyde Park Storytelling on Facebook.

This story was produced on the behalf of UT Austin's J-school.