I loved amplifying community voices through our live storytelling show Unheard LA

Company: LAist
Project: Unheard LA
Leaders and creators of Unheard LA, Ashley Alvarado and Jon Cohn, wanted to provide a stage and a mic for community voices, especially those who didn’t get the stage and mic as often as they should. They wanted to bring the show (and public radio services/programming) to cities that public radio didn’t reach/serve as often.

I was honored to serve throughout multiple seasons, in many cities, working with everyone from professional storytellers to those who’d never taken the stage.

My role: As an assistant, I served the team as a throughline person for folks “from page to stage.” I read every single submission, helped highlight folks to bring in for auditions, and cheered the loudest for them as a proud, clipboard-wielding, headset-wearing backstage assistant.

I also helped market the show through digital/print ads, Facebook group networking and tabling at events in show cities. I helped facilitate several Unheard LA Story salons in libraries throughout Southern California (we’d have a mini show and then help attendees shape potential stories).

I always described this as “work that never felt like work.” It was pure honor and joy to help produce Unheard LA and I loved every minute.

It taught me that storytelling HEALS. It heals those in the audience who receive the beautiful stories. It heals those who share their precious stories on stage. It heals those who provide a stage/mic and bear witness throughout the process. And Unheard LA lives on! Especially in the relationships we built with one another. We built a real community. You can still access nearly ALL of the Unheard LA shows here! The stories live on, too. You’re invited! You are part of it, too!