Host Theresa Okokon as seen in WORLD’s Tales from the Stage episode Bucket Listing.
Photograph by Patricia Alvarado Núñez
Forward of the premieres of recent episodes in Season 7 of “Tales from the Stage,” Caribbean Life spoke with Liz Cheng and Patricia Alvarado Núñez, co-creators and co-executive producers of the nationwide storytelling sequence from World.
“As journalists, we as government producers created World’s multiplatform sequence, ‘Tales from the Stage’, to counter information protection of battle and hate,” they mentioned over the weekend. “’Tales from the Stage’ focuses on our commonalities and chooses to have fun our variations of background, circumstances and orientation.
“We invite storytellers from all all over the world to inform a singular story in entrance of an viewers of strangers,” they added. “Every episode is a testomony to the assumption {that a} story, advised with sincerity and at simply the suitable second, has the potential to confront perceptions and encourage change.”
Cheng and Alvarado Núñez mentioned the sequence is hosted by Theresa Okokon and Wes Hazard, “who share a deep bond with storytelling that transcends the stage.”
“I like to inform tales the place I be taught a lesson about one thing or uncover one thing about myself as a result of audiences can empathize,” mentioned Okokon, a Wisconsin native, who writes and coaches storytellers between her 9-to-5 in Boston. Her memoir, “The Okokon Household Orchestra,” is due in 2025.
Hazard, a Massachusetts local-turned-Brooklynite, whose old flame is stand-up comedy, agreed: “The most important pleasure with storytelling is the expanded vary of emotion. It permits me to discover myself extra deeply as I believe others would possibly see me. I discover it very liberating.”
As the brand new 12 months unfolds, Cheng and Alvarado Núñez mentioned “Tales from the Stage” presents all-new episodes on broadcast, by way of podcast, on demand and streaming.
They mentioned Bucket Listing, airdate, Jan. 8, “delves into the goals that form us: Connie making an attempt to be taught Chinese language and bridge the hole in her heritage, KiM reworking a quest for bodily perfection right into a profound lesson in self-love and integrity, and Keith utilizing a rock live performance to attach along with his teen-age youngsters.”
In Quest, airdate, Jan. 22, Cheng and Alvarado Núñez mentioned Zalaikha’s bravery means “a brand new begin within the US; Karen finds the nuns who sheltered her Jewish mom in Nazi-occupied Poland, and Meg learns to know brutalized Colombian farmers by her daughter’s eyes.
“We wrap the month on a excessive word with Soundcheck, airing Jan. 29, exploring the intersection of id and artwork with Melissa’s opening act for Bob Dylan, Jeffrey’s epiphany in a small live performance in Iowa, and Jason’s journey to discovering his voice regardless of an abusive father,” Cheng and Alvarado Núñez mentioned.
By sharing these tales, they mentioned it’s their “acutely aware choice to entertain, educate and empower viewers.
“In a world the place divisions proliferate, ‘Tales from the Stage’ reminds us of the enduring impression of a well-told story to unify us,” Cheng and Alvarado Núñez mentioned. “We invite viewers to tune in, get moved, and see the world in a different way. Let’s make 2024 a 12 months of storytelling that brings us nearer, one story at a time.”
Audiences can view “Tales from the Stage” on World, worldchannel.org and the PBS App. Particular person tales and unique digital content material might be seen on Fb and YouTube.
The sequence will also be skilled by way of podcast with “Tales from the Stage: The Podcast.”
