Stories From The Stage

The Southwest is hot and dry, but for millions of people, it’s a place to thrive. After her divorce, Lisa, a writer, redefines herself in the great outdoors; Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Daniel struggles with linguistic dualities; and after leaving California, Shareé wonders if she can find home. Three storytellers, three interpretations of FLOURISHING IN THE DESERT, hosted by Theresa Okokon.

For Indigenous Americans, the sacred is connected to the land and traditional ways of seeing. Kevin rallies to oppose housing development on tribal land; Colleen's relationship with her mother provides a view of the judgement heaped on traditional healing; and Valery takes us on a hike...interrupted by Bigfoot! Three storytellers, three interpretations of ON SACRED GROUND, hosted by Wes Hazard.

As a symbol of life’s cyclical nature, the circle is important for Native Americans. Rebekka honors the keeper of the connection between her people and culture; Charlie, who has light skin and hair, works to be accepted by fellow tribe members; and Levelle finds a path to meaning, healing, and helping after prison. Three storytellers, three interpretations of SACRED CIRCLE, hosted by Wes Hazard.

When it comes to overcoming challenges and finding contentment, connections often play an essential role. Jose chases his dream of playing football and learns life is about relationships; Darcy adopts four children and begins a family; and Kyle shares the love and wisdom he received on the Navajo reservation. Three storytellers, three interpretations of ALL CONNECTED, hosted by Theresa Okokon.

While some families are tied together by biology, others are created when people welcome children into their hearts and homes through adoption. Betsy helps her son make contact with his birth mother; Dan describes being smuggled out as an infant from Mexico; and Paul's relationship with his mom takes a twist when he adopts a baby boy. Three storytellers, three interpretations of FINDING FAMILY.

Some people are terrified of flying yet others can't wait to take off. Heather confronts her worst fear: flying; Tom indulges in a midlife crisis splurge by purchasing a plane; and Linda learns the difference between curses and kindness during a bumpy flight. Three storytellers, three interpretations of TAKING FLIGHT.

Music has the power to define our narratives. Each chord strummed or note belted out is equally about identity and art. Melissa is the opening act for Bob Dylan in an evening charged with expectation; Jeffrey delivers a show in Des Moines, IA, and learns about fame; and Jason finds his voice, revealing a young man coming into his own. Three storytellers, three interpretations of SOUND CHECK.

A bucket list is a way to keep track of our dreams. It also offers a look at who we are. Connie aims to close the gap with her heritage and language; KiM transforms a quest for perfection into a lesson in self-love and integrity; and Keith turns a Phoebe Bridgers concert into a bonding experience with his children. Three storytellers, three interpretations of BUCKET LIST, hosted by Wes Hazard.

A quest does not require you to be a knight in shining armor. But you do need a dream, courage, and a little luck. After fleeing Afghanistan, Zalaikha rebuilds her life in the U.S.; Karen makes a pilgrimage to Poland to learn about her mother's past; and Meg visits her daughter, who provides protection to Colombian farmers. Three storytellers, three interpretations of QUEST, hosted by Wes Hazard.

Sending out love vibes can be risky business. When we open up to the possibility of being in love, we can find ourselves at our most vulnerable. Laura looks for love on the dance floor; Zoey turns up the heat at a Christian singles group; and Sufian travels across the world, meets his love - and faces the truth. Three storytellers, three interpretations of FROM THE HEART, hosted by Theresa Okokon.

Life can be serious, but when the tears dry and the scars fade, sometimes we can find the funny side. Jennifer shares the story of her parents’ marriage through the tale of a doomed onion; Steph explores the humor of life through the traditions of her family; and Jason gets busted for throwing down dance moves. Three storytellers, three interpretations of THE FUNNY SIDE, hosted by Wes Hazard.

Our lives can change in the blink of an eye: We meet a stranger and make a connection. Or we take a chance - and turn our world upside down. Joy rediscovers a community she had left behind; Lee-Ellen finds kinship in the aftermath of an earthquake; and Gerard receives a diagnosis that immediately alters everything. Three storytellers, three interpretations of SUDDENLY, hosted by Wes Hazard.

What does it mean to be extraordinary? Defy the odds and redefine benchmarks of success. Homeless at 19, Natalie builds a career as a pediatric neurosurgeon; Rebecca, one of the "Lost Girls of Sudan," finds a path to creating positive change; and Lachi fights discrimination as a disability rights advocate. Three storytellers, three interpretations of EXTRAORDINARY WOMEN; hosted by Theresa Okokon.

Change isn't only forged by the mighty; the actions of everyday individuals often spark it. Negin champions the cause of women's rights in Iran; Lisa and heroic health aides share the life of a COVID-19 patient; and Mikhala channels the legacy of jazz and Creole into a vibrant retelling of New Orleans' history. Three storytellers, three interpretations of BE THE CHANGE; hosted by Theresa Okokon.

The twists and turns of professional life can lead to finding a true path. Raised in a restaurant family, Jennifer discovers her expertise lies beyond the dining room; Bobbie learns that aiming high can make the incredible happen; and Harry ditches the world of sports agents for a more compassionate calling. Three storytellers, three interpretations of YOU'RE HIRED, hosted by Theresa Okokon.

Sometimes, fleeting moments define our existence. Swapna juggles dreams of becoming both a doctor and a mother; Omar steps into the chaos of the Waukesha tragedy and discovers a beacon of unity; and from the cold confines of his cell, Jabir confronts the prison's rules to have one last conversation with his mother. Three storytellers, three interpretations of IN AN INSTANT, hosted by Wes Hazard.

Work can be simply a way to survive. But sometimes it is a nightmare, and other times a dream come true. A parent's urgent call cuts through the noise of Mary’s ordinary workday; Alexis transforms from struggling student into a guiding mentor; and after a trip to the Caribbean, Anne sails into a life of adventure. Three storytellers, three interpretations of NINE-TO-FIVE, hosted by Theresa Okokon.

Mishaps in life are perhaps the ones we remember most vividly. Tone Nunes shares the funny side of his hospital stay; Nina Livingstone, who is blind and hearing-impaired, searches for the perfect volunteer driver; and Geraldine Buckley’s first hitchhiking adventure turns into an unforgettable journey of close calls and gratitude. Three storytellers, three interpretations of LIFE IS A LAUGH, hosted by Wes Hazard.

Belonging is a fundamental human desire that transcends geographical, cultural, and social boundaries, encompassing the search for identity, acceptance, and connection within communities, families, and oneself. Grace Talusan shares how a green station wagon helped her family become Americans; Chris Ko searches for the meaning of home; and in response to racism, Salil Patel takes a different path.

In the tapestry of existence, body and soul are interwoven threads. Alexandria Sharpe discovers body gratitude through a harrowing medical journey; with her grandmother’s guidance, Shirley Jackson Whitaker reconciles with the passing of a family friend; and Milos Bjelica harmonizes a birth injury with the redemptive melodies of his clarinet. Three storytellers, three poignant reflections on BODY AND SOUL, hosted by Wes Hazard.

In the exuberance of youth lies the heartbeat of change. Beatriz Perez grapples with being “too girly” in the rigorous world of STEM; Omar Mohuddin’s underdog mayoral race captures the essence of youthful idealism; and Sara Karp shares the behind-the-scenes story of young, climate education activists. Three storytellers, three interpretations of YOUTH RISING, hosted by Wes Hazard.

When we venture beyond the familiar, we can transform the unexplored into a canvas of discovery. Avesha Michael embraces California's rugged mountains in a tribute to the love of the outdoors instilled by her father; Antonio Sacre turns a chaotic whale-watching trip outside Los Angeles into a memorable family adventure; and Jenny Hoffman chronicles her record-breaking run across America and honors the community who made it possible. Three storytellers, three interpretations of INTO THE WILD, hosted by Wes Hazard.

In the realm of the unknown, each adventure paves the way for a revelation. Jynelle Herbert rediscovers the joys of youthful adventures through her mother's eyes; a serene moment with Arctic terns redefines Mark Modrall’s understanding of perseverance and hard work; and Shannon Cantan steps up to the plate in a Beep Baseball showdown, where a fierce Boston vs. New York rivalry ignites the field. Three storytellers, three interpretations of ADVENTURE AHEAD, hosted by Wes Hazard.

To embrace PRIDE, you often need to define yourself in your own way. Srilatha Rajamani's world turned upside down when she discovered the hidden 'A' in LGBTQI_+; queer stage and film director Kevin Newbury receives a time capsule gift from their late loving grandfather; and Jamie Mulligan takes us on a 20-year journey of transition and self-love. Three storytellers, three interpretations of PROUD TO BE, hosted by Theresa Okokon.