Rob Prince ’99 was frustrated with the depiction of Alaskans in popular media.
“The real Alaska is far more fascinating than what one sees on television,” said Prince, an associate professor of journalism at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. “The true stories of Alaskans are more interesting than the stereotypes most people hold about our residents.”
To set the record straight, Prince developed and became the host of Dark Winter Nights, a live storytelling event, television program, radio program and podcast.
In the series, Alaskans tell their own stories, a live band provides musical interludes, and Prince sets up the tales with introductions and reflections.
Dark Winter Nights started in 2014 as a live event in Fairbanks, drawing about 200 to its first performance—and that has quickly grown to more than 1,000 in attendance per show (along with smaller shows performed on demand in the area). The local PBS affiliate has picked up the show for a monthly broadcast, and one story aired as part of the National Public Radio Snap Judgment program.
“I feel like we’re poised to make a big break,” said Prince. “My ultimate goal would be to reach a national audience with our stories, kind of an Alaskan invasion of the country.”
More about Dark Winter Nights, including sample stories, can be found at darkwinternights.com.
