Hear from Brian Reed, host, co-creator and mastermind behind the podcast “S-Town,” in an exclusive session Friday, Feb. 28, presented by the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center. 

The live event, “Creating S-Town: A New Way to Tell a Story,” is set for 7 p.m. in the Alys Stephens Center, 1200 10th Ave. South. Tickets are $35 and $45. For tickets, call 205-975-2787 or visit AlysStephens.org. Buy tickets.

“S-Town” is a podcast from “Serial” and “This American Life” about a man named John who despises his Alabama town and decides to do something about it. He asks Reed to investigate the son of a wealthy family who has allegedly been bragging that he got away with murder. “S-Town” won a Peabody Award for being a “pioneering classic of the form.” It is being developed into a feature film by director Tom McCarthy and Participant Media and received broad acclaim for elevating audio storytelling into the realm of great literature. 

In his talk, Reed will share insights into his three-year investigative journey that began with the mysterious request and led to the creation of the award-winning podcast that has captivated millions. Using audio outtakes and reporting details that never made it into the final version, Reed will walk his audience through the process of how he and his collaborators developed an entirely new kind of storytelling by taking techniques from literature and merging them with journalism in ways that had never been done. The session will end with a live Q&A where the audience can engage with Reed and delve deep into the world of podcast creation and the creation of “S-Town.” 

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Arts Circle members enjoy benefits including access to a pre-reception in the Abroms Patrons Lounge one hour prior to performance for beverages and hors d’oeuvres. Become a member.