Selected Shorts: "Secret Spaces" - Episode Summary

Podcast Information:

• Title: Selected Shorts
• Host/Author: Symphony Space
• Description: Our greatest actors transport us through the magic of fiction, one short story at a time. Sometimes funny. Always moving. Selected Shorts connects you to the world with a rich diversity of voices from literature, film, theater, and comedy. New episodes every Thursday, from Symphony Space.
• Episode: Secret Spaces
• Release Date: March 20, 2025

Introduction and Show Information

[00:01] Meg Wolitzer:
Meg Wolitzer, the host of Selected Shorts, opens the episode with an enthusiastic announcement about taking the show to sunny Los Angeles. She teases two upcoming performances at the Getty Center on March 29th, featuring a star-studded lineup including Jason Alexander (Seinfeld), Brendan Hunt (Ted Lasso), Michael Urie (Shrinking), and Melora Hardin (The Office). Wolitzer invites listeners to visit the calendar page on the Getty Center's website, emphasizing the immersive experience that Selected Shorts offers.

Key Quote:
"Selected Shorts connects you to the world with a rich diversity of voices from literature, film, theater, and comedy." — Meg Wolitzer [00:01]

Theme Introduction: Secret Spaces

[01:22] Meg Wolitzer:
Wolitzer introduces the theme of the episode—Secret Spaces. She reflects on the concept of hidden or private areas in characters' lives, drawing a parallel to her own dreams of discovering hidden wings in her apartment. Wolitzer muses on the human desire for more space and secrets, setting the tone for the stories to follow.

Key Quotes:

• "Geo tracking makes disappearing pretty difficult these days." — Meg Wolitzer [02:15]
• "Listening to Selected Shorts is like going into your own secret space, though, just for an hour." — Meg Wolitzer [03:00]

First Story: "The Elevator Dancer" by N.K. Jemisin

Introduction to the Story

[04:02] Meg Wolitzer:
Wolitzer introduces "The Elevator Dancer," a story by Hugo Award-winning author N.K. Jemisin. She provides context about Jemisin's accolades and previous works, highlighting the story's performance by Laura Gomez, known for her roles in Orange Is the New Black and her directorial projects.

Key Quote:
"The Elevator Dancer is performed by Laura Gomez... she has directed and starred in films including Hallelujah and Here's the Elevator Dancer." — Meg Wolitzer [04:02]

Performance: "The Elevator Dancer"

[04:02 - 12:54] Laura Gomez:
Laura Gomez delivers a haunting performance of "The Elevator Dancer," a dystopian narrative reminiscent of Orwell's 1984. The story revolves around a security guard who becomes entranced by a woman's secret dances in an elevator, symbolizing forbidden freedom and personal longing within a repressive regime. The woman's clandestine dancing becomes a catalyst for the guard's internal rebellion and existential crisis.

Notable Quotes:

• "Change, shift, shift, change." — Narration [10:30]
• "If a tree falls in the forest and there's no one around to hear, it makes a sound, if God wills, would it dance?" — Narration [12:00]

Analysis: Meg Wolitzer on "The Elevator Dancer"

[12:54] Meg Wolitzer:
Wolitzer delves into the thematic elements of Jemisin's story, noting the blend of dystopian control with moments of personal yearning. She highlights the subtle portrayal of emotions coexisting with fear, emphasizing Jemisin's ability to infuse depth into a seemingly controlled environment.

Key Quotes:

• "Jemisin imparts a yearning and sensuality to the traditional dystopian narrative." — Meg Wolitzer [12:54]
• "The secret space of the elevator becomes a symbol of joyous freedom that exists only within its boundaries." — Meg Wolitzer [12:54]

Second Story: "The Hollow" by Greg Jackson

Introduction to the Story

[16:21] Andrew Sean Grier:
Andrew Sean Grier discusses why "The Hollow" by Greg Jackson was selected for this episode, praising its vivid imagery and emotional depth. He commends Jackson's control over language, particularly his use of sentence structure to evoke and manipulate reader emotions.

Key Quote:
"He starts the story with these long, lyrical sentences that you'll hear, and he ends it with these sharp short ones." — Andrew Sean Grier [16:21]

Performance: "The Hollow"

[17:26 - 55:29] Hugh Dancy:
Hugh Dancy narrates "The Hollow," a post-collegiate tale that intertwines themes of friendship, artistic struggle, and the elusive quest for meaning. The story follows Jack Valenti and his friend Jonah, exploring their divergent paths and the mysterious hollow discovered in Jack's house. Dancy's performance captures the nuanced emotions and the intricate dynamics between the characters, emphasizing themes of unfulfilled potential and the haunting presence of the past.

Notable Quotes:

• "Picasso said, art is a lie that makes us see the truth." — Jonah Valenti [25:45]
• "Van Gogh didn't kill himself, you know. Everyone thinks he did." — Jonah Valenti [40:10]
• "It's not like because some artist was poor or misunderstood and... and you're poor and misunderstood." — Jonah Valenti [50:05]

Analysis: Meg Wolitzer on "The Hollow"

[55:29] Meg Wolitzer:
Wolitzer provides an insightful analysis of "The Hollow," focusing on the interplay between the characters' internal voids and their interactions with the secret space in Jack's home. She draws parallels between the hidden hollow and the characters' unspoken desires and struggles, illustrating how secret spaces serve as both refuges and catalysts for personal revelation.

Key Quotes:

• "Jackson approaches this with such naturalness... exploring what's absent in the characters and what it takes for us to see what's hidden." — Meg Wolitzer [55:29]
• "The secret space offers a way out of a dreary life... it's waiting to be filled by a life not yet lived." — Meg Wolitzer [55:29]

Backstage Insights: Hugh Dancy on "The Hollow"

[55:54] Hugh Dancy:
In a backstage interview, Dancy reflects on his portrayal of Jack Valenti. He connects personally with the character's adolescent feelings of idolizing great painters and grappling with sophistication and identity. Dancy expresses his appreciation for reading aloud and performing for an engaged audience, highlighting the emotional resonance of the story.

Key Quote:
"I recognize the feeling, which for me probably came through in adolescence. You'd latch onto these great painters and then you move past that into a feeling of quote unquote, greater sophistication." — Hugh Dancy [55:54]

Conclusion and Closing Remarks

[56:23] Meg Wolitzer:
Wolitzer wraps up the episode by tying together the themes explored in both stories. She emphasizes the transformative power of secret spaces and stories in revealing hidden aspects of ourselves. Wolitzer humorously references her own need to retreat into her "secret space" while expressing gratitude to the listeners.

Key Quotes:

• "In the first story, the secret space offers a way out of a dreary life." — Meg Wolitzer [56:23]
• "There's nothing like a good short story." — Meg Wolitzer [56:23]

Final Thoughts:
Wolitzer concludes by promoting upcoming shows, the Selected Shorts website, and encouraging listeners to engage with the live performances. She acknowledges the production team and sponsors, ensuring listeners are informed about how to support and participate in future episodes.

Noteworthy Highlights and Themes

1. Secret Spaces as Metaphors:
   Both stories utilize secret or hidden spaces to delve into characters' psyches, representing desires, fears, and the unknown facets of their lives.

2. Art and Expression:
   "The Hollow" intricately weaves the influence of artists like Van Gogh and Picasso, exploring how art becomes a refuge and a means of understanding oneself.

3. Dystopian Control vs. Personal Freedom:
   "The Elevator Dancer" juxtaposes a controlled, dystopian environment with moments of personal rebellion and expression, highlighting the tension between societal constraints and individual desires.

4. Friendship and Diverging Paths:
   The relationship between Jack and Valenti in "The Hollow" underscores how friendships evolve and the impact of personal choices on these bonds.

5. Emotional Depth and Complexity:
   Both performances are lauded for their ability to convey complex emotions, making the characters' internal struggles palpable and relatable.

Final Remarks

The "Secret Spaces" episode of Selected Shorts masterfully intertwines storytelling with deep thematic exploration, offering listeners a profound reflection on the hidden aspects of human experience. Through stellar performances by Laura Gomez and Hugh Dancy, coupled with insightful analysis by Meg Wolitzer, the episode invites audiences to contemplate the spaces—both physical and emotional—that define and confine us.

For those seeking an immersive experience into the world of short fiction, Selected Shorts continues to deliver exceptional narratives brought to life by outstanding actors, making it an invaluable resource for literature enthusiasts and casual listeners alike.

Connect with Selected Shorts:

• Website: selectedshorts.org
• Upcoming Shows: Visit the calendar page at Getty.edu
• Supporters: Dungannon Foundation, New York State Council on the Arts

Produced and distributed by Symphony Space, Selected Shorts is a celebration of storytelling and performance, enriching the cultural landscape one short story at a time.