📚 STORY SEEKERS: Touched with Fire meets 300 Paintings

📚 STORY SEEKERS: Touched with Fire meets 300 Paintings
Ever wonder about the connection between creative genius and mental health? We're exploring this fascinating link by reading Kay Redfield Jamison's Touched with Fire before experiencing 300 Paintings - where comedian Sam Kissajukian shares his manic journey of creating 300 paintings in six months. Pre-show discussion and appetizers at The Dinky Bar & Kitchen.

Details for you:
STEP 1: BUY your ticket for 300 Paintings
🎨 300 Paintings

• When: Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025 7:30 PM ET
• Venue: McCarter Theatre - Matthews Theatre
• Address: 91 University Place, Princeton, NJ 08540
• Phone: (609) 258-2787
• Total investment: $36-97 ticket + book + your meal = great conversation with fellow book lovers!
• LIMITED ENGAGEMENT - one week only!

STEP 2: RSVP | ⚠️ IMPORTANT: Purchase your ticket FIRST, then RSVP on Meetup. Limited to 6 members

STEP 3: READ the book
📚 Touched with Fire: Manic-Depressive Illness and the Artistic Temperament by Kay Redfield Jamison

• Available: $9.65 Amazon
• Pages: 384

STEP 4: Join us for the Events! Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025 5:30 PM ET
🍽️ Pre-Show Gathering at The Dinky Bar & Kitchen Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025 5:30 PM ET

• Address: 94 University Pl, Princeton, NJ 08540
• Phone: (609) 423-2188
• Menu

🎨 300 Paintings at McCarter Theatre 7:30 PM ET

• Address: 91 University Place, Princeton, NJ 08540
• Phone: (609) 258-2787

About the Book
Touched with Fire: Manic-Depressive Illness and the Artistic Temperament by Kay Redfield Jamison
The definitive work on the profound and surprising links between manic-depression and creativity, from the bestselling psychologist of bipolar disorders who wrote An Unquiet Mind.
One of the foremost psychologists in America, "Kay Jamison is plainly among the few who have a profound understanding of the relationship that exists between art and madness" (William Styron).
The anguished and volatile intensity associated with the artistic temperament was once thought to be a symptom of genius or eccentricity peculiar to artists, writers, and musicians. Her work, based on her study as a clinical psychologist and researcher in mood disorders, reveals that many artists subject to exalted highs and despairing lows were in fact engaged in a struggle with clinically identifiable manic-depressive illness.
Reading connection: "Touched with Fire" explores the scientific and historical connections between manic-depressive illness and artistic creativity, providing psychological context for understanding Kissajukian's "manic whirlwind" of creating 300 paintings and how mental health states can fuel extraordinary creative output.

About the Event
300 Paintings at McCarter Theatre Be sure to purchase the Saturday, November 1st 7:30 PM showing
Direct from a critically acclaimed off-Broadway run – LIMITED ENGAGEMENT, one week only!
In 2021, Sydney comedian Sam Kissajukian quit standup, rented an abandoned cake factory, and spent six months in a manic whirlwind, creating 300 large-scale paintings, unknowingly documenting his mental state through the process. In this hilarious, fascinating, and wildly original show, Kissajukian brings audiences on a rollercoaster ride that explores the ties between art, mental health, and creativity.
Stay after the show to meet Sam and view his incredible paintings in a curated lobby exhibition.

LET'S TALK ABOUT...
To get us started:

• The creativity-madness connection: What evidence does Jamison present for the link between manic-depressive illness and artistic achievement - which historical examples were most compelling, and do you find her scientific arguments convincing?
• The treatment dilemma: Explore Jamison's discussion of whether medication might diminish creativity - what are the ethical implications of this debate, and how should society balance artistic genius with individual wellbeing?
• Patterns of manic creativity: According to Jamison's research, what characteristics define manic creative periods versus "normal" creative work - how does she describe the intensity, productivity, and quality of art created during different mental states?
• Your own reactions, questions, and observations!

🌟 WHY YOU'LL LOVE THIS

• Experience stories in multiple dimensions
• Meet fellow literature enthusiasts
• Gain deeper appreciation for both mediums
• Enjoy thought-provoking conversation over great food
• Make connections and friendships
• View Kissajukian's actual paintings in the lobby exhibition

QUESTIONS?
Check our Rules of Engagement before signing up. Message Heather with any questions.
See you there!