Stories from the Stage Season 5

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.