Stories From The Stage

There’s nothing worse than the moment we lose something precious. And there’s nothing more satisfying than finding that lost something. Richard learns that the best teacher is a student; Rosanna discovers that friendship can cross borders; and Jim finds himself in the blue iris of his eye's replacement. Three storytellers, three interpretations of LOST AND FOUND, hosted by Theresa Okokon.

Family. Sometimes they choose us, sometimes we choose them. Anoush tries out the party life and finds her family waiting when she crashes; Jerry and his wife become foster parents, and face disaster on day one; and George pranks his overprotective mother with red ink. Three storytellers, three interpretations of IT'S ALL RELATIVE, hosted by Wes Hazard.

We lose all sorts of things. But when we find things unexpectedly, it can seem like a miracle. Anna’s spilled coffee reunites a family separated; a leather jacket connects Scott to one of his childhood idols; and Ewa loses a sausage to airport security, but discovers a secret. Three storytellers, three interpretations of LOST AND FOUND, hosted by Theresa Okokon.

Life is full of opportunities to begin again. Claritza prepares for her first job in the U.S. by reading the phone book; in Afghanistan, Mahboba journeys to her classroom against all odds; and Dillan discovers that sometimes we need to face our past before moving forward. Three storytellers, three interpretations of FRESH START, hosted by Theresa Okokon.

Sometimes we choose our new beginnings, but perhaps more often we are thrust into them. Mercia rescues an unfulfilled dream; Thomas learns that an obstacle in his past becomes the path way to his future; and Greg discovers the power of his mom’s ham. Three storytellers, three interpretations of NEW BEGINNINGS, hosted by Theresa Okokon.

Eureka! Sometimes that moment of personal discovery comes when you least expect it. Heather came to a revelation while she dangled 40 feet above the Sydney Zoo; Gregg discovered how tears could make him a better doctor; and Yari’s dream of space flight might just take her to Mars. Three storytellers, three interpretations of EUREKA!, hosted by Wes Hazard.

If there is any truth about holidays, it’s that they are a mixed bag of good and bad. Melanée tests her adulthood with the Thanksgiving turkey; John shows that when it comes to being Santa, it’s all about the grownups; and Andrea proves that lighting a menorah may be trickier than you think. Three storytellers, three interpretations of HOLIDAYS: THE GOOD, THE BAD, hosted by Wes Hazard.

A lot of emotions goes into making a holiday a holiday. Joe tries to break a nightmare-before-Christmas bad luck streak; Jamie connects with his polar opposite older brother through an amazing, unexpected gift; and Cora learns a lesson about courage through an unlikely teacher: golden sneakers. Three storytellers, three interpretations of HOLIDAYS: CHEERS, TEARS AND FEARS, hosted by Wes Hazard.

Unexpected moments can lead to a “breakthrough.” A simple truth guides Jen to a new career; after being diagnosed with HIV, Bruce finds new hope and a constant reminder that he is still alive; and a new generation of young women scientists inspire Abel to make the field more inclusive. Three storytellers, three interpretations of BREAKTHROUGH, hosted by Wes Hazard.

Food is so central to life that we almost take it for granted. But it also shapes us in ways beyond the gastronomic. Gastor goes above and beyond to satisfy his wife’s sweet cravings; Claire travels the world to hunt exotic spices and heal her broken heart; and Juan conjures a memorable meal...despite challenges. Three storytellers, three interpretations of SUGAR & SPICE, hosted by Theresa Okokon.

It has often been said that experience is the best teacher. Joan learns that it’s never too late to radically change her life; Stacey's forgotten gift regains an unexpected value; and Matthew looks down the barrel of a bandit’s gun and learns that his life is worth more than a pint of ice cream. Three storytellers, three interpretations of EXPERIENCE, hosted by Wes Hazard.

Day by day, meal by meal, food becomes a part of who we are. Jo’s mother astonishes her family by baking a pie for dinner; Gauri rises above a low point to discover new opportunities through baking; and after the death of his father, David goes to Afghanistan where a Pop-Tart takes on a whole new meaning. Three storytellers, three interpretations of FOOD FOR THOUGHT, hosted by Theresa Okokon.

Challenges come as a total surprise. For a sick friend’s sake, Heather confronts her worst fear: flying; Harold’s courage is tested when a rodent moves in; and after a tragic accident on California’s famous Highway 1, Shane finds a reason to go on living. Three storytellers, three interpretations of DIDN'T SEE THAT COMING, hosted by Wes Hazard.

When rain falls, you have to grab an umbrella...just do your best. On a journey to Ellis Island, Roxanna experiences love & hate, companionship & growth; during a holiday in Germany, Kristen drives through a rainstorm to find an unexpected gift; and Don’s commute takes a frightening turn when he spies a tornado. Three storytellers, three interpretations of RAIN OR SHINE, hosted by Theresa Okokon.

Sometimes when we least expect it, life throws us a big, fat curveball. What happens next can change our lives. Andrew becomes a hero in the unlikeliest of places; Emily discovers her inner rebel and breaks one of her mom’s sacred rules; and after a major loss, Kerrita finds solace in a bowl of collard greens. Three storytellers, three interpretations of CURVEBALL, hosted by Wes Hazard.

Sometimes we avoid stepping into the fray. But when we are courageous, the consequences are life changing. Susanne learns about love and the virtues of a well-built campfire; José journeys to the U.S. and the possibility of a brighter future; and Annemarie discovers that letting go is not the same as giving up. Three storytellers, three interpretations of NO MATTER WHAT, hosted by Theresa Okokon.

From fateful dates to unexpected connections, romance is sparked in the most unbelievable way. It also makes for a memorable story. Jeff crosses the globe to meet his Internet love; Nimisha breaks her parents’ rules and dates outside her Indian culture; and Rob dons a costume to get noticed by a basketball star. Three storytellers, three interpretations of HOW WE MET, hosted by Theresa Okokon.

An unlikely pair meets for an even less likely reason, and against all odds, a relationship blooms. Micaela’s long search for beauty ends in a surprising revelation; Max learns to interpret the secret language of love; and Amanda discovers that a broken romance can be healed by a chance meeting. Three storytellers, three interpretations of LOVE CALLS, hosted by Theresa Okokon.

Food lives at the place where connection, community - and sometimes courage - meet. Amanda gets a glimpse of what her classmates eat on their birthdays and makes sure she gets a bite; Mark earns his wings as an apple pie baker; and Kwasi learns to make his childhood favorite food and connects to his Ghanaian culture. Three storytellers, three interpretations of MEALTIME, hosted by Theresa Okokon.

Life in the country is simple, yet also complicated. Cindy learns important life lessons watching Mr. Rogers; Jim writes a sign to find a wife...and is surprised(!); and Ruth and her intellectually disabled daughter challenge the norms and their neighbors’ ideas of unconditional love and inclusion. Three storytellers, three interpretations of TENNESSEE BACKROADS, hosted by Demetria Kalodimos.

When it comes to sports, first place isn’t always the best place. Rae Marie is pushed to overcome her fear of diving but jumping into her own mind is better; in the middle of an emergency, Bernard heads to the World Series of Poker; and Adam dreams of winning a trophy like his mom but it's more difficult than it looks. Three storytellers, three interpretations of FOR THE WIN, hosted by Wes Hazard.

What is a life worth living? A life well lived...because it only happens once. Gianmarco goes on a skydiving trip and realizes that sometimes in love we jump too late; at 15, Brendyn’s dream of a first kiss finally comes true; and Alison and her family celebrate life & death in wonderful and unique ways. Three storytellers, three interpretations of YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE, hosted by Theresa Okokon.

Our relationship with clothes encompasses a whirlwind of emotions. Marvin thinks he dressed up for nothing until a visitor surprises him; Rilda finds out adulthood is filled with decisions, and wearing a suit gives us the courage to make them; and Chandreyee gets stood up but a noble gesture heals her broken heart. Three storytellers, three interpretations of ALL DRESSED UP, hosted by Wes Hazard.

Rocky top is rocky and tough to plant. Yet fertile ground for storytelling. Morris is the first Black baseball player at TN Tech and learns the cost of being a trailblazer; Harrison follows in his father’s footsteps, beating carnival games; and Sandy finds out about the pecking order at her grandma’s. Three storytellers, three interpretations of ROCKY TOP REMEMBERS, hosted by Demetria Kalodimos.

You can’t win if you don’t play. And playing can make all the difference. Nora fills in the blanks as the missing pieces person at a jigsaw puzzle company; Olympian ski jumper Nick tells how one leap changed his life forever; and on his first hunting trip, John fears disappointing his dad, an avid hunter. Three storytellers, three interpretations of GAME ON!, hosted by Wes Hazard.