It was a packed house at the Push Comedy Theater this week as a cast of talented storytellers took the stage to share tales of love, loss, family, and home. The WHRO Public Media Emerging Leaders Board (ELB) hosted this first Story Exchange, a MOTH-style storytelling series where our community comes together to reflect, share, and connect through the power of story.
The ELB invited people to submit their stories and they chose winners to perform them live at the event. This was the first of three events, and it was a sold-out crowd. Attendees enjoyed stories of love, loss, family, and memories — all centered on the idea of home. Performers shared lessons that have shaped them along the way and people who left an imprint on their souls.
People like Inez, a 70-year-old woman who moved into her own apartment after her group home for people with disabilities was closed. The storyteller recalled the moment she visited Inez in her apartment for the first time. Inez was cooking a large pot of collard greens. “I was immediately transported to my Nana’s house where I lived until I was 7, and the sweet smell of dinner being made with all the fixings that go with a ‘mess of greens,‘” she recalled. The experience, along with visits with others from the group home, reminded her that home is a choice — a place where we get to control who comes and goes and what things inside bring us joy.
Others shared their memories of home — from adventures in the bustling city of Queens, NY to boredom in the quaint and ultra-rural city of Tucker Hill, VA. The audience enjoyed laughter, tears, and a heartfelt connection.
We hope you can join us for the next Story Exchange event for a night of live, unscripted storytelling. Check whro.org/events for details on our next gathering.