Storytelling is at the heart of what makes us human.
Shoebox Stories is a story-holding project where you gather together and stand in another person’s shoes by reading aloud their story, saying their words, and holding, for a moment, the weight that they carry.
Holding another person’s story is both an honor and a responsibility. The reader is entrusted, for a moment, with the struggles, hopes and dreams of another. By reading another’s story, the reader is not saying that they agree with everything in the story. They are simply agreeing to refrain from judgment.
Through respectfully holding a story different from our own, we expand our understanding of what it means to be human.
The Podcast
In this ground-breaking podcast, Motus Theater invites prominent voices to stand in the shoes of a person who is marginalized, or who is often misrepresented, and read their autobiographical story aloud, to see the world through their eyes.
Season 1: The UndocuAmerica Series
As the subject of immigration polarizes the nation, Motus created this series to interrupt the dehumanizing portrayals of immigrants by encouraging thoughtful engagement on the challenges facing the undocumented community and the assets they are to our country.
Motus Theater’s Artistic Director, Kirsten Wilson worked with the 12 undocumented monologists featured in this 12 episode series to support them in telling stories about their hopes, fears, and dreams. In each episode, a prominent voice reads aloud each of their stories.
Listen to Jorge Ramos, Gloria Steinem, Nicholas Kristof, Maria Hinojosa, Art Acevedo and others read these powerful stories from the frontlines of U.S. immigration policy. Grammy-award winning musicians such as Yo-Yo Ma and Arturo O’Farrill respond musically to each episode.
Community Readings
Launching in January 2020, fans of Shoebox Stories will be invited to “Host Your Own” intimate community reading of the impactful stories heard on the podcast. Stand by for more information on how to host a reading with your book club, faith-based organization, friends and family, or and other community-led groups.
Shoebox Stories Live
In the spirit of standing in someone else’s shoes, Motus Theater also hosts live theater events inviting community leader to stand on the stage of to read stories of marginalized leaders in our community, and amplify their voices.
“The ability to step into one another’s experience is key in suspending judgment and understanding one another without an expectation of the perfect story - we are all humans after all.”