Audio Under the Stars: Elizabeth Friend and Jenny March

Elizabeth Friend (left) and Jenny March

Illustration by Kiara Sanders

Who doesn’t like listening to a good story? We’re excited that Duke Arts is bringing back Audio Under the Stars. The event, Hope This Finds You Well: Stories of Taking Care in Tough Times, is taking place on Friday, October 14th, at 6-8pm, Durham Central Park, free of charge. We spoke with AUS masterminds, Jenny March and Elizabeth Friend:

Something we all have in common?

Elizabeth: We are all curious creatures. Our brains love novelty. And as social animals, we crave connection. We seek experiences to satisfy those urges, to bring us together, to activate our sense of wonder, and to take us out of our daily routines.

Jenny: We all have an innate connection to the natural world. We relax and feel content when we’re outside. Our senses are engaged. We’re naturally curious and observant about our surroundings. This is why we’ve always done Audio Under the Stars outside: the natural setting just feels so right.

What makes a good story?
Elizabeth: I need a clear idea of what's at stake and an emotional connection to at least one character. Bonus points for dry wit and a generous splash of weird. For me, the best stories use something personal to illuminate larger truths, or bring me along on a journey into worlds I'd never otherwise know.

Jenny: To have a story at all, something has to happen, and someone or something needs to experience change along the way. Good stories take that sequence of events and add in compelling meaning making - the “so what?” of a story. My favorite stories are stories in which we can experience intimacy with a character and get close to their lived experience. I think this is why I always come back to Radio Diaries as inspiration - you’re listening to people recording themselves in their familiar environments. The editing team then takes that tape and masterfully creates radio that feels bigger than the sum of its parts.

Best children’s book ever?
Elizabeth: There are so many I loved as a kid, but honestly, there's no single best children's book, just the one(s) that spoke to you most when you needed to hear it.

Jenny: The Chirri & Chirra book series by Kaya Doi. My four year old and I are completely enchanted by these books. It follows two girls, Chirri and Chirra, as they ride their bikes through the natural world: under the sea, in the tall grass, in the snow…they really become a part of their environments in an exquisite way.

When do you know you need a break?

Elizabeth: On a daily basis, I know it's time to take a break when I've been working on something so much my eyes and ears feel like they're full. That's when I go take a walk in the woods or investigate a new curiosity. If projects or problems start showing up in stressful dreams, that's a clear signal something needs to change.

Jenny: My body usually lets me know when it’s time to shake my bones and step away from the computer. I think my body is still in revolt from the many, many Zoom meetings of early Covid days.

Favorite Stranger Things character?

Elizabeth: I haven't caught up with Stranger Things in a while but love to see Winona Ryder thriving.

Jenny: Oh, Barb. I will always miss you.

Special Thanks to Duke Arts for sponsoring this post.