Stories from the Stage (2017)

What does it mean to grow up Black in America, a country too often divided by race? Bullied by a group of kids, Ben finds out he is not alone, and Angie learns about how far we have come, and how far we have to go in a chance encounter with a police officer. These Webby-winning true stories were recorded at home during the height of the pandemic.

A last dance may be at the end or beginning of something big: Sandi narrowly misses getting cast for Broadway’s A Chorus Line; Mark reluctantly returns home to Kentucky for an extraordinary reunion; and Jean dances his way out of a death sentence in Haiti. Three storytellers, three interpretations of LAST DANCE, hosted by Theresa Okokon.

Chance could mean possibilities, risk or opportunity: Rodrigue seeks asylum from the Congo, Korean-American Eson is held at gunpoint in her family’s store and Christine donates a kidney to a stranger. Three storytellers, three interpretations of CHANCE, hosted by Wes Hazard.

Neighborhoods are forever in flux: Paloma searches for identity in a Dominican neighborhood; Mark becomes unwelcomed in his community; and Norah discovers great neighbors who teach life lessons. Three storytellers, three interpretations of WELCOME TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD, hosted by Wes Hazard.

Tickets mean opportunity, but for what? Dan describes being smuggled out as an infant from Mexico; Courtney finds freedom during a trip to Cuba; and Michael confronts his biases on a flight after 9/11. Three storytellers, three interpretations of TICKETS, PLEASE!, hosted by Theresa Okokon.

Surprise! Kemp describes a life-changing moment at a stop sign; Justin discovers the triumph and agony of a one-wheel ride; and Jannelle must confess that magic is not always real. Three storytellers, three interpretations of OOPS, hosted by Theresa Okokon.

Stories of survival and determination. Ana describes her last night at home before leaving Cuba forever; Jackson’s son catches his first fish by any means necessary; and Julie’s international love affair gets tested during "cabin fever." Three storytellers, three interpretations of HELL OR HIGH WATER, hosted by Wes Hazard.

Coming to America. U-Meleni from Zimbabwe “sows seeds” of renewal in the United States; Grace shares how a green station wagon helped her family become Americans; and Kevin challenges his assumptions about others. Three storytellers, three interpretations of SUITCASE STORIES, hosted by Theresa Okokon.

Immigrant stories of yesterday and today. Landscape architect Nano flees Syria to pursue her musical dream; Szifra discovers the hidden meaning of her name; and Abhishek becomes a meat-eating American. Three storytellers, three interpretations of SUITCASE STORIES, hosted by Theresa Okokon.

Holidays can be a source of joy, stress...or horror! Cyndi lands a gig as one of Santa’s elves and uncovers a gruesome reality; Ekhlas waits hungrily as calamity creates an epically long Ramadan fast; and Matt gathers his courage at Thanksgiving to stand up to his girlfriend’s tough as nails dad. Plus, Wes Hazard shares a hilarious Christmas story involving his younger self.

For some, cooking is a refuge. And for others, it's a salty nightmare. Javed pits his meager cooking skills against those of his chef father; Alan explores cooking with a romantic partner; and Executive Chef Karen relives a restaurant shift from hell. Three storytellers, three interpretations of KITCHEN CONFESSIONS, hosted by Theresa Okokon.

Personal challenges come in all shapes and sizes. Michele turns lemons into lemonade when she gets busted moonlighting during an internship; Matthew spins a nightmare date into a life lesson and lasting friendships; and Mikelina Googles her way to combining two worlds that seem impossible to mesh. Three storytellers, three interpretations of MAKE IT OR BREAK IT, hosted by Wes Hazard.

For teachers and students alike, school is a place to struggle mightily. Ben works to transform swooning preschool girls into dragon-slaying warrior princesses; Donna finishes the school year with Sister-ly help; and Crystal climbs the ladder of higher education, aided by secret admirers. Three storytellers, three interpretations of SCHOOL DAYS, hosted by Theresa Okokon.

Remember school? It’s where kids learn and where knowledge sometimes comes only after pain. Cecilia battles a learning disability that leaves everyone and Cecilia herself baffled; Anna reluctantly welcomes a newcomer who struggles socially; and Furquaan finds that violent solutions have a down side. Three storytellers, three interpretations of SCHOOL DAYS, hosted by Theresa Okokon.

Most often, we do the right thing. But sometimes, our switch gets flipped and we lose control. Kevin goes postal in the post office; Ashley's patience is tested by FEMA after a flood in her community; and Khuyen has his life stolen by a life-tracking app. Three storytellers, three interpretations of DEADLY SINS, hosted by Theresa Okokon.

Sometimes, you have to stick up for yourself, or somebody else...even when that little voice tells you it’s safer to keep quiet. Rev. Mariama gets down and dirty for a cause; Myles stops ignoring his stutter; and Tereza speaks up about her undocumented status. Three storytellers, three interpretations of TAKE A STAND, hosted by Theresa Okokon.

There are those moments when you have to stand up and speak out, changing everything. Andy takes his political activism door-to-door; Katie discovers how compassion can cross the language barrier; and Yvette battles exclusion by redefining her Blackness. Three storytellers, three interpretations of STAND UP, hosted by Theresa Okokon.

Holidays happen every year but they can bring an element of surprise. Lani’s Thanksgiving cooking mistake becomes a family secret; Phil calls out the monks to break up a street fight between witches and preachers; and Diana leans in for a special New Year’s kiss. Three storytellers, three interpretations of HOLIDAY SURPRISE, hosted by Wes Hazard.

Is there anything more fickle than the human heart in love? Joe’s marriage proposal turns to be more unexpected than planned; Lauren’s broken heart is held together by one hundred women; and Aaron faces his fear of adventure to embrace his wife’s spirit. Three storytellers, three interpretations of LOVES ME, LOVES ME NOT, hosted by Wes Hazard.

Road Trip! On the highway where anything can happen, take a ride on a journey that changed everything. Melissa tells us about the night she opened for Bob Dylan; Suzanne drives home with a feisty ram; and Akshobh discovers hospitality and humanity in the wilderness. Three storytellers, three interpretations of ROAD TRIP, hosted by Wes Hazard.

Paying tribute to our canine companions. Robin puts it all on the line for her dream job: a gig on the Oscar Mayer® Weinermobile; the love of two dogs enriches Lina’s life after she is left blind; and Ron comes to understand a tragedy through the loss of his dog. Three storytellers, three interpretations of IN THE DOG HOUSE, hosted by Mike Tow.

“It seemed like a good idea at the time...” Paul fears for his job at Polaroid after posting a saucy FAQ; Ken and his three friends discover that staging a public fight can have hair-raising consequences; and Bruce reveals the thrills - and the ultimate downside - of a teenage shoplifting spree. Three storytellers, three interpretations of UH OH, hosted by Mike Tow.

It’s nearly universal - to explore the world and in doing so, learning something about yourself along the way. Julian finds the meaning of home on a road trip to Ohio; Jeffrey delivers a perfect show to a deserted bar in Des Moines, Iowa; and Renata goes ghost hunting in Kentucky and discovers we all have a zany side. Three storytellers, three interpretations of WANDERLUST, hosted by Wes Hazard.

Recalling the moments that redefine the meaning of family. Alison is reunited with her distant dad after his Alzheimer’s diagnosis; Rose is left homeless when her father gambles away the family home; and Tae learns about acceptance & love while choosing a musical instrument. Three storytellers, three interpretations of YOU CAN'T PICK YOUR FAMILY, hosted by Wes Hazard.

As a teen, Sage Tyrtle decides to travel cross-country to meet a boy she met in a virtual chat room; a transgender female who works as a nurse has an encounter with a neo-Nazi patient; a man finds love by coincidence and a twist of fate.

On Election Day, things seldom go as planned. Voters and candidates face challenges that require creative thinking, integrity and courage. Donna discovers herself a foreigner in her own country; M.J. jumps into action when trouble strikes at her polling station; and Eric becomes a viable candidate when another drops out. Three stories, three interpretations of CAST YOUR VOTE, hosted by Wes Hazard.

Favorite stories about Thanksgiving, the holiday that has us giving thanks. Lani's cooking mistake becomes a family secret; Melanée tests her adulthood through the ultimate challenge: the Thanksgiving turkey; and Matthew gathers his courage to stand up to his girlfriend’s tough as nails dad. Three stories, three interpretations of GIVING THANKS.

There are all sorts of things people can be proud of: a decision, an accomplishment, or standing up and being true to who they are. Palestinian Muslim Eman finds the best tool to defy cultural stereotypes; April shares the relief & redemption of living an authentic self; and Jay comes out and receives surprising reactions. Three stories, three interpretations of PRIDE, hosted by Theresa Okokon.

What does it mean to grow up Black in America, a country too often divided by race? Bullied by a group of kids, Ben finds out he is not alone; Sue shares the realities of raising kids of a different race; and Angie learns about how far we have come, and how far we have to go in a chance encounter she will never forget. Three stories, three interpretations of GROWING UP BLACK, hosted by Wes Hazard.

When you take a stand with your resolve unwavering, that rapidly beating heart signals courage. In the wake of a broken romance, Vanessa embraces adventure in Paris; when her writing is criticized, Anna steps up to become a dyslexia advocate; and Adam faces down a tiger - and his mother. Three stories, three interpretations of COURAGE, hosted by Theresa Okokon.

Top storytellers share stories that conjure the holiday spirit. David Dean Bottrell discovers his passion after stealing the school play's spotlight; Andrea Kamens’s bright menorah cuts through the darkness of anti-semitism; and Joe Charnitski tries to break a nightmare-before-Christmas bad luck streak.

Families are made of unique individuals with different takes on life. What binds them together is love. El, a non-binary comedian, comes out to their conservative father; Sarah confronts the notion of being “illegal” when she meets her boyfriend’s family; and Nestor is reminded of a family separation deep in his past. Three stories, three interpretations of MI FAMILIA, hosted by Theresa Okokon.

Why isn't it easy to find the right person to love? No one knows the right answer, but with every misstep, we learn to keep searching. Nimisha breaks her parents’ rules and dates outside her Indian culture; Max García learns to interpret the secret language of love; and Lauren's broken heart is held together by one hundred women in rural Colorado.

Growing up Black in America means cultural bonds, the struggle for visibility, and all too often, unearned judgement. Valerie teaches her students about Africa's greatest explorer; U-Meleni brings her son to a protest of George Floyd’s death; and Harold shows how fear of the police affects his everyday life. Three stories, three interpretations of GROWING UP BLACK PART 2, hosted by Theresa Okokon.

The late John Lewis took pride in creating “good trouble” and standing up against unfairness. Maulian fights to ban "Indian" mascots in Maine schools; Ronald stands up for his integrated marriage; and Dr. Wanda’s boss pushes back against patients who don’t want to see her because of her name. Three stories, three interpretations of GOOD KIND OF TROUBLE, hosted by Theresa Okokon.

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Twenty years ago, 9/11 changed the world. People struggled to make sense of the terrible acts, and to rebuild their lives in its aftermath. After the death of his father, David Filipov goes to Afghanistan where a Pop-Tart takes on a whole new meaning; psychology professor Michael Sargent confronts his biases on an airplane; and Jude Treder-Wolff finds seeds of hope to fuel her work as a therapist.

The news is often attention grabbing. But sometimes the story behind the story is just as interesting as the headlines. Phillip navigates civil rights strife in Boston, MA; Anne manages a local news phone line as Nixon’s White House collapses; and Jeff gives a disastrous speech with a very influential guest in the audience. Three stories, three interpretations of NEWSWORTHY, hosted by Wes Hazard.

Houston, Texas - the nation’s most ethnically diverse metropolitan area - is a community of people who have learned the fine art of resilience. Sneha travels a difficult road from sickness to health; actors and improv turn Brendan’s playwriting from lemon into lemonade; and Ebony learns the secret to taming her stress. Three stories, three interpretations of RESILIENCE, hosted by Theresa Okokon.

Service members and their families demonstrate their character and resolve in the most trying of circumstances. As a case manager working with refugees, former military Kevin challenges his assumptions about others; after penpalling her brother’s Navy buddies, Juli-anne understands the impact of her letters; and James tries to connect with his brother killed in the Vietnam War.

For most people, playing sports is about meeting personal challenges - from first tries on the field to last hurrahs on the sidelines. Andrew dreams of throwing a wiffle ball no-hitter; Kioko signs up for the Memory Ride; and Sophie & her sister become the first girls to play tackle football on a private all-boys team in NYC. Three stories, three interpretations of TIMEOUT, hosted by Wes Hazard.

How can you move forward when everything is lost? With luck...and a second chance. Mandy writes a eulogy for the mother she couldn’t connect with; Raquel tries to mend a family she lost at age 6; and a lost baby bird helps Warren channel his feelings about family. Three storytellers, three interpretations of SECOND CHANCE, hosted by Theresa Okokon.

It might be difficult for one person to truly make a difference. But by working together, through big and small actions, we can change the world. Mariama gets down and dirty for a cause; Adam volunteers as a human shield in the West Bank to experience the other side of the checkpoint; and Ronald stands up for interracial marriage. Three storytellers, three interpretations of FOR THE GREATER GOOD.

Staying in the game is hard. But when you hang in there for the ride, the memories you create can last a lifetime. Heather honors her father by running a road race dressed as Rudolph; Banafsheh learns a lesson from a disastrous dance performance; and Tim gives up watching sports for a year and discovers a new life. Three stories, three interpretations of STAY THE COURSE, hosted by Wes Hazard.

The news cycle spins faster than ever, and the flow of stories never seems to end. Yet we rarely learn the story behind the story. A young Joe gets a chance to meet the Pope; Rinaz immigrates to the US from Syria on Christmas Eve; and Shannon jumps hurdles in her quest to become a journalist. Three storytellers, three interpretations of OFF THE PRESS, hosted by Wes Hazard.

How do we make the best of a situation? With imagination, initiative, and a willingness to take risks. And the results can be unexpected and amazing. Brendyn adds a roller coaster to his marriage proposal plan; Kristin discovers an unconventional remedy for pandemic fatigue; and Adam gets creative to deal with a nasty celebrity. Three storytellers, three interpretations of AS GOOD AS IT GETS.

The truth is that no one wants to be caught in a storm. While we don't know when or how they will hit, we do know there are lessons to be learned. Ellen attempts to balance pregnancy with caring for her stepmother; a friendship helps Kent weather adolescence; and Jen puts her skills to test against a tornado. Three stories, three interpretations of PERFECT STORM, hosted by Wes Hazard.

Big changes can happen when we least expect them. When they do, we have no choice but to improvise. Melissa uses an unconventional bait to lure her aging parents to relocate nearby; killer hornets enliven Erin's job in Japan; and Angel and her family trek through Kurdistan and an Iraq POW camp to find a new home in the U.S. Three stories, three interpretations of UNEXPECTED, hosted by Wes Hazard.

From time to time, it's okay to lessen our expectations. But expecting more should be the norm. Norah proves that women can measure up in the Boston Marathon; Corey‘s prostate cancer experience makes him an advocate for testing among Black men, and Candace uses microfinancing to help Tanzanian women better their lives. Three stories, three interpretations of ABOVE AND BEYOND, hosted by Wes Hazard.

It can be a struggle to make sense of this world in which you don't quite belong. Shweta discovers that changing one's appearance to fit in has its drawbacks; Jenny tries tap dancing to get over the pandemic blues; and Carol, who struggled through high school, tries to find a college where she’ll fit in. Three storytellers, three interpretations of FISH OUT OF WATER, hosted by Theresa Okokon.

Searching and finding the right match - whether forged, challenged, lost or kept - is not always easy. Carla battles bureaucracy to bury her mother alongside her father; Andy experiences a new way to relate to his identical twin; and Valerie connects a deceased donor with someone in need of a new liver. Three storytellers, three interpretations of A PERFECT MATCH, hosted by Theresa Okokon.

There is a first time for everything. In many cases, firsts are game changers, becoming unforgettable lessons for life. Erin navigates her first steps into puberty; Dyan's first encounter with a penguin takes her halfway across the globe; and Ali’s dad helps ease the pain of his first car accident. Three storytellers, three interpretations of FIRST, hosted by Wes Hazard.

Dealing with challenges showed storytellers the strengths they never knew they had.

Sometimes, we are born into families that nurture us. And for all the other times, we need to create our own. Gabriel looks for the imprint of the father he barely knew; Ariel makes a new family after being bullied for her queerness; and Kathleen's life is changed by an encounter with a cousin from El Salvador. Three storytellers, three interpretations of FAMILY TIES, hosted by Theresa Okokon.

The search for a life partner is usually far from perfect - bad choices, parental pressure and twists & turns are all part of the journey. Tae crosses cultural barriers to find love; Diane turns to a how-to book to find her ideal partner; and Kevin fights to overcome his fear of marriage and finally tie the knot.

Every day, millions of people are creating their own definitions of what it means to be Asian American. Suzanne works with a parents association to organize during Boston's busing desegregation crisis and gains strength from the women; David travels to China for the first time to connect with his roots; and after being held at gunpoint in her family’s store, Eson learns the definition of love.

Experiencing the unfamiliar; with Alexis Chen Johnson, Linda K. Wertheimer and Shay Rodger.

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