Symphony Space

The final story on this Selected Shorts episode, Fitting In, is read by Joanna Gleason. In “A Sacrifice” by Simon Van Booy, an act of kindness leads to many revelations in a small Irish village. You can listen to the story wherever you get your podcasts. https://bit.ly/47bx3se
(Photo by Kevin Yatarola)

Image: Joanna Gleason, a woman wearing glasses and a black jacket, stands on the stage in front of a microphone reading a story.

The second story on this Selected Shorts episode is performed by Karen Pittman. In “Long Hair" by Uche Okonkwo, hair is a form of social currency for a group of young women. Listen now wherever you get your podcasts. https://bit.ly/47bx3se
(Photo by Kevin Yatarola)

Image: Karen Pittman, a woman wearing glasses and a patterned dress, stands on the stage in front of a microphone reading a story.

The first story on this Selected Shorts episode, Fitting In, is read by Kirsten Vangsness. In “Reality” by Diana Spechler, a woman struggles to separate fact from fiction while on a reality TV show. Take a listen wherever you get your podcasts. https://bit.ly/47bx3se
(Photo by Kevin Yatarola)

Image: Kirsten Vangsness, a woman wearing glasses and a floral dress, stands on the stage in front of a microphone reading a story.

This week's selection comes from our Manager of Education Programs, Regina! "The Memory Police is a 1994 science fiction novel by Yōko Ogawa. The novel, dream-like and melancholy in tone in a manner influenced by modernist writer Franz Kafka, takes place on an island with a setting reminiscent of that in George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four."

Image: A book cover featuring portions of a woman's face.

Congratulations to Marley Dias on receiving a 2024-2026 Obama Voyager Scholarship! She'll be using the scholarship to focus on the book banning crisis. You can see Dias at Symphony Space on Sep 21 as part of our event celebrating Jacqueline Woodson's Brown Girl Dreaming!

Marley Dias Marley Dias, 2024-2026 Voyager Scholarship Recipient

Have you enjoyed listening to Selected Shorts on Philadelphia's WHYY radio this month? If so, we need your help. Please write or call WHYY to let them know you'd like to hear more from Selected Shorts so we can be added to their schedule! Email [email protected] or call 215-351-0511

Image: The logos for WHYY and NPR on a white background.

The final story on the Selected Shorts episode, Best Laid Plans, is read by Tate Donovan. “The Laurel and Hardy Love Affair" by Ray Bradbury surrounds a whirlwind romance with comic underpinnings. You can listen now wherever you get your podcasts. https://bit.ly/4dENpvQ
(Photo by Rahav Segev)

Image: Tate Donovan, a man wearing glasses and a grey jacket over a white shirt, stands on the stage in front of a microphone reading a story.

The second story on this Selected Shorts episode is performed by Anika Noni Rose. In “Cane and Roses" by Edwidge Danticat, a woman imagines an ultimate act and its consequences. Take a listen wherever you get your podcasts. https://bit.ly/4dENpvQ
(Photo by DeShaun Craddock)

Image: Anika Noni Rose, a woman wearing a green jumpsuit, stands on the stage in front of a microphone reading a story.

The first story on this Selected Shorts episode, Best Laid Plans, is performed by Wyatt Cenac. In Ben Loory's "Dandelions," a suburb is invaded by dandelions, and its inhabitants are transformed. As a bonus, you can watch the short film inspired by the story, created by Michael Arthur. Take a listen to the story wherever you get your podcasts, and check out the film at the link in bio. https://bit.ly/4dENpvQ
(Photo by DeShaun Craddock)

Image: Wyatt Cenac, a man wearing a black shirt and a necklace, stands on the stage in front of a microphone reading a story.

This week our Director of All Write!, Madeline, is Seeing Through by Ricky Ian Gordon. "This book is by an old friend who is a composer and whose music has been played at Symphony Space!"

Image: A pink book cover featuring portions of a man's face.

Happy from the pups of Symphony Space! Here are some favorite pictures of our four-legged friends.

Images: 1: A dog stands in a swimming pool.
2: A dog gets a bath.
3: A dog looks out over the Hudson River.
4: A dog on a boat.
5: A dog standing in grass.
6: A dog sits in a car.
7: A dog wearing a red coat looks into the camera.

We loved this article about our friend, Richard Kind! Check it out, and be sure to watch Kind and many other friends of Symphony Space in Only Murders in the Building, premiering on Aug 27.

Richard Kind Is Still Waiting for His Big Break Amazingly prolific and beloved by Hollywood royalty, the actor has a self-image that belies his status and achievements. “I just work,” he said.

There's still time to take a listen to Selected Shorts on Philadelphia's WHYY radio this month! We're on air all of August on Monday nights at 9pm EST. If you're enjoying our episodes, we need your help. Please write or call WHYY to let them know you'd like to hear more from Selected Shorts so we can be added to their schedule! Email [email protected] or call 215-351-0511

Image: The logos for WHYY and NPR on a white background.

The second story on this Selected Shorts episode is read by John Benjamin Hickey. In “Fires," writer and environmental activist Rick Bass Author stress-tests the West. You can listen to the story wherever you get your podcasts. https://bit.ly/3Mf1Uu6
(Photo by Kevin Yatarola)

Image: John Benjamin Hickey, a man wearing glasses and a black jacket, stands on the stage in front of a microphone reading a story.

The first story on this Selected Shorts episode, The New American West, is performed by Tate Donovan. In Louise Erdrich’s “The Hollow Children,” a natural disaster tests family ties. This episode also features an interview with Erdrich. Take a listen wherever you get your podcasts. https://bit.ly/3Mf1Uu6
(Photo by Rahav Segev)

Image: Tate Donovan, a man wearing glasses and a grey jacket over a white shirt, stands on the stage in front of a microphone reading a story.