Storytelling Program ends on a high note

After a series of four intensive workshops, participants shared their real life stories – a  celebration of self-reliance and perseverance

This Fall, New Women New Yorkers (NWNY) welcomed 13 immigrant women from Belarus, Brazil, China, Dominican Republic, Iran, Mexico, Nigeria, Peru, Poland, Russia, South Africa, and Ukraine to our 2020 Immigrant Women Storytelling Program with The Moth. The series of four intensive workshops was facilitated by the experienced storyteller-artists from The Moth Community Program, Melissa Brown, Hannah Campbell and Delia Bloom. In 2020, the program took place through Zoom for the first time in its four years-old history. 

A variety of techniques, including interactive brainstorming and improvisation, unleashed participants’ creativity and trained them in the ins and outs of storytelling: how to identify personal stories and craft an unique and authentic one, and how to share it in a captivating and confident way. The program concluded with a final share to an audience of family and friends on September 26. Judging by the overall excitement and energy in the room, the 12 hours of training have paid off and created a sisterhood among participants. “I don’t want this to end!”, said Dorothy, from Nigeria. “You built a team in 12 hours – a loving one”, she added while thanking The Moth instructors and fellow participants.

The stories showcased participants’ journey of self-reflection, their struggles and triumphs, and were a celebration of self-reliance and perseverance. They were often relatable, moving or humorous. The richness of details, crafted so carefully throughout every session, transported the audience to each particular scene –be it a government office in Belarus, a town in China, a street in Astoria, Queens, a baby’s crib, an apartment in Costa Rica filled with colibris or a street market in Oaxaca, Mexico, among many other places.

This new crop of inspiring storytellers will share their stories again this October in an exclusive showcase for the NWNY community. Another showcase open to the general public, Stories That Move Us, will take place in November.  These new sessions promise to be as remarkable as the final share. “It is an event I would want to experience again and again. Delightful!”, said Eirene, a participant from South Africa. Stay tuned for the dates and times of upcoming performances!