After5NewYork - The Odyssey: Why Humans Keep Telling The Same Stories

A Conversation on Storytelling, Humanity, and the Stories We Keep Retelling

Join a disability historian, dramaturg, and performer for The Odyssey: Why Humans Keep Telling The Same Stories, an engaging exploration of why humans tell stories, why we return to the same stories again and again, and what makes certain narratives stick while others fade away. Inspired by The Odyssey, we'll explore how stories reflect the human experience and why themes, characters, and conflicts from thousands of years ago can still feel familiar today.

What We'll Cover:

• Why we tell stories - Explore what storytelling gives us as humans and why we use stories to make sense of ourselves, others, and the world around us.

• Why we tell the same stories - Using The Odyssey as inspiration, examine why certain narratives continue to be retold, adapted, and reinvented across generations.

• Why some stories stick - Discover what makes certain stories memorable and enduring while others disappear, and what recurring themes reveal about the human experience.

Whether you're fascinated by mythology, literature, theater, or simply curious about why humans keep returning to familiar stories, you'll leave with a deeper appreciation for the stories we tell and why they continue to matter.

Don't miss this chance to connect with your After5Society.

About The Speaker:

Sydney Zarlengo is a disability historian, dramaturg, and performer working across theater and film in New York City. They received their BA from Mount Holyoke College, where they developed guidelines for accessible design in performing arts curriculum for secondary and higher education and went on to provide professional trainings at arts programs around the country. Sydney staged the first all neurodivergent cast and crew production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time and created its subsequent documentary. They have since worked as a dramaturg and historian for new works and adaptations Off Broadway, developed an accessibility program at Signature Theatre, and create educational content about disability, pseudoscience, history, and media literacy that has reached over 1.3 million views across platforms.

Good to know before you come:

• Exact bar location will be disclosed in your confirmation email

• Arrive early to grab a drink and get settled

• The speaker portion lasts 1 hour, with optional time to stay and socialize afterward

• This is a participatory event

• Seating is limited to keep the experience intimate