Changing lives, one story at a time. We are Waltham returns on Nov. 14

We are Waltham returns on Nov. 14 to showcase the diverse stories of the city’s residents at the Charles River Museum of Industry & Innovation. Tickets are on sale here.

The storytelling show started as an experiment during Riverfest in 2021, when founder Chandreyee Lahiri invited six people to share personal experiences under the Cronin’s Landing archway. Despite no microphone and stiff competition from a loud rock band, every seat among the 30 folding chairs was filled. The show quickly became a community fixture.

In 2022, WaW partnered with the Charles River Museum of Industry and Innovation, creating “Big WaW” productions twice a year. Each show featured six storytellers and drew up to 100 attendees in the museum’s Boiler Room. The shows, supported by the Waltham Cultural Council and the museum, have consistently sold out.

In 2023,  WaW collaborated with Common Good Co. Cafe to launch “Wee-WaW” evenings — smaller gatherings with six storytellers and about 50 listeners. Some audience members stepped forward for the curated open mic segment, turning listeners into storytellers. 

WaW received a grant for its 2025 season from the First Parish Jones Foundation Partnership Trust. It also raises funds from popular raffle events introduced in the project’s second year, including prizes such as handcrafted relief maps of Waltham from 1789. 

Over its four-year run, WaW has presented roughly 70 stories for a live audience totaling about 900, not counting additional tales shared at public events on Waltham Common and online.

“The goal has been to grow a stronger sense of community and connection through empathy and by learning more about the realities of others,” according to Lahiri. She said the spirit of WaW is rooted in “holding up a mirror to Waltham” and encouraging people to recognize the similarities that unite its residents.

Changing lives, one story at a time

While shows have sold out reliably, Lahiri said WaW’s success is ultimately measured in the “hearts and minds of viewers.” People whose lives intersected with WaW described personal growth, newfound confidence and the ripple effects of hearing and sharing stories.

Divine Nkwele shared a story of losing his passport in wartime Cameroon, and how it would have sunk his future altogether but for the kindness of one officer. He traces his journey to Brandeis University back to that one pivotal act. “I wanted to share a low moment in case hearing how I overcame challenges could motivate others,” he said, “and to make myself see how far I’ve come today.”

For Shirley (Bergman) Dorris, telling her story about losing her eyesight proved transformative. “Sharing my story made me feel more confident, and I found my voice to speak to others,” she said. This confidence helped her to become president of the Cambridge chapter of the National Federation of the Blind in MA last April. “I want the blind community to know your life doesn’t have to end when you lose your vision. Sometimes, it’s when your life begins,” she said.

Scott O’Neill shared how he mastered the Rubik’s Cube at a time when he was being bullied in high school. “My brief fame with cubing helped sustain me through high school and set me on my path,” he said. An interesting outcome of telling his story at WaW was that “I was recognized as I entered a restaurant on Moody as the ‘cubing guy’,” he said. “This shows what WaW means to the city. The goal is community building, and here are strangers connecting in a public space.”

The WaW shows leave an impact not only on the storytellers but audience members as well. “There is something about storytelling in an intimate venue that takes me back to the cave, where my ancestors gathered around the fire and told tales. The storyteller takes a huge risk and may feel vulnerable yet very alive,” said Deb Herman, a regular attendee and volunteer. “When I hear stories that take place in Waltham, I feel grounded and proud of my chosen community.” 

Another repeat attendee, Amy Spoering, observed, “We are Waltham is showing the diversity of experiences in our community. It’s one of the nicest evenings you can have.”