Stories from the StageStories have the power to astonish us, make us laugh and cry, and open our hearts to the world. Hosted by Wes Hazard and Theresa Okokon, STORIES FROM THE STAGE invites storytellers from around the world to share extraordinary tales of what it means to be human. Each episode features both on-stage performances and interviews about their inspirations and craft, and the meaning behind their stories.
Last Dance
Oct 9, 2017
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
Oct 16, 2017
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.
Welcome to the Neighborhood
Oct 23, 2017
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, Please!
Oct 30, 2017
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.
Oops
Nov 6, 2017
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.
Hell or High Water
Nov 13, 2017
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.
Suitcase Stories Part 1
Nov 20, 2017
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.
Suitcase Stories Part 2
Nov 27, 2017
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.
Holiday Horror
Dec 18, 2017
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.
Kitchen Confessions
Jan 8, 2018
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.
Make It or Break It
Jan 15, 2018
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.
School Days: Teacher Tales
Jan 22, 2018
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.
School Days: Student Tales
Jan 29, 2018
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.
Deadly Sins
Feb 5, 2018
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.
Take a Stand
Feb 19, 2018
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.
Stand Up
Feb 26, 2018
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.
Holiday Surprise
Mar 19, 2018
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.
Loves Me, Loves Me Not
Mar 26, 2018
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
Apr 23, 2018
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.
In the Dog House
May 28, 2018
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.
Uh Oh
Jun 4, 2018
“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.
Wanderlust
Jun 11, 2018
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.
You Can't Pick Your Family
Jun 18, 2018
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.
