Syd Lieberman
Encyclopedia
Syd Lieberman is a noted American storyteller
who has been telling stories professionally since 1982.
He is a frequent performer at the National Storytelling Festival
in Jonesborough, Tennessee
. In 2007, Lieberman became the first professional storyteller in the United States to make all tracks from his previously released 14 CDs and cassettes available as a free download from his website via a Creative commons license
(by-nc-nd).
, the Smithsonian Institution
(for the National Air and Space Museum
), Van Andel Museum Center
, NASA, and Historic Philadelphia.
Twelve Wheels on Mars
In late 2003, NASA
and the International Storytelling Center commissioned Lieberman to tell the story of the Mars Exploration Mission
. He interviewed the principal scientists and engineers involved in the project, and was present in 2004 at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory
in Pasadena
, California, to witness the historic landing. Lieberman's story introduces the people involved in the mission and depicts their emotions they felt as they built and sent two rovers on a seven-month, 40,000,000-mile trip to Mars
.
Storytelling
Storytelling is the conveying of events in words, images and sounds, often by improvisation or embellishment. Stories or narratives have been shared in every culture as a means of entertainment, education, cultural preservation and in order to instill moral values...
who has been telling stories professionally since 1982.
He is a frequent performer at the National Storytelling Festival
National Storytelling Festival
The National Storytelling Festival is held the first full weekend of October in Jonesborough, Tennessee at the International Storytelling Center. The National Storytelling Festival was founded by Jimmy Neil Smith, a high school journalism teacher in 1973...
in Jonesborough, Tennessee
Jonesborough, Tennessee
Jonesborough is a town in and the county seat of Washington County, Tennessee, in the southeastern United States. The population was 4,168 at the 2000 census...
. In 2007, Lieberman became the first professional storyteller in the United States to make all tracks from his previously released 14 CDs and cassettes available as a free download from his website via a Creative commons license
Creative Commons License
Creative Commons licenses are several copyright licenses that allow the distribution of copyrighted works. The licenses differ by several combinations that condition the terms of distribution. They were initially released on December 16, 2002 by Creative Commons, a U.S...
(by-nc-nd).
Commissions
Lieberman is known for his ability to write and tell the story behind historical events. He has created performances commissioned by the city of Johnstown, PennsylvaniaJohnstown, Pennsylvania
Johnstown is a city in Cambria County, Pennsylvania, United States, west-southwest of Altoona, Pennsylvania and east of Pittsburgh. The population was 20,978 at the 2010 census. It is the principal city of the Johnstown, Pennsylvania, Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes Cambria County...
, the Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian Institution is an educational and research institute and associated museum complex, administered and funded by the government of the United States and by funds from its endowment, contributions, and profits from its retail operations, concessions, licensing activities, and magazines...
(for the National Air and Space Museum
National Air and Space Museum
The National Air and Space Museum of the Smithsonian Institution holds the largest collection of historic aircraft and spacecraft in the world. It was established in 1976. Located in Washington, D.C., United States, it is a center for research into the history and science of aviation and...
), Van Andel Museum Center
Public Museum of Grand Rapids
The Grand Rapids Public Museum was founded in 1854 as the "Grand Rapids Lyceum of Natural History" in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is among the oldest history museums in the United States. The museum includes a cafe, a gift shop, and a 1928 Spillman Carousel, which is situated in a pavilion over the...
, NASA, and Historic Philadelphia.
Twelve Wheels on Mars
In late 2003, NASA
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
and the International Storytelling Center commissioned Lieberman to tell the story of the Mars Exploration Mission
Mars Exploration Rover
NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Mission is an ongoing robotic space mission involving two rovers, Spirit and Opportunity, exploring the planet Mars...
. He interviewed the principal scientists and engineers involved in the project, and was present in 2004 at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Jet Propulsion Laboratory is a federally funded research and development center and NASA field center located in the San Gabriel Valley area of Los Angeles County, California, United States. The facility is headquartered in the city of Pasadena on the border of La Cañada Flintridge and Pasadena...
in Pasadena
Pasadena, California
Pasadena is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. Although famous for hosting the annual Rose Bowl football game and Tournament of Roses Parade, Pasadena is the home to many scientific and cultural institutions, including the California Institute of Technology , the Jet...
, California, to witness the historic landing. Lieberman's story introduces the people involved in the mission and depicts their emotions they felt as they built and sent two rovers on a seven-month, 40,000,000-mile trip to Mars
Mars
Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun in the Solar System. The planet is named after the Roman god of war, Mars. It is often described as the "Red Planet", as the iron oxide prevalent on its surface gives it a reddish appearance...
.