‘Voices’ storytelling show spotlights South Asian perspectives

A storytelling show brought to life by experimental theater group Off-Kendrik in collaboration with We are Waltham creator Chandreyee Lahiri is coming to Waltham on June 5. The show, called “Voices,” will feature perspectives from the South Asian community in a style reminiscent of The Moth.

“Voices” is a biennial production themed around sharing South Asian immigrant experiences with the community.

“Our goal is to help everyone else understand what it means to be a South Asian immigrant in America,” Lahiri said of the production.

The show has taken place in various cities in the Greater Boston area. This is the second time it has come to Waltham. Sankha Bhowmick, the artistic director of Off-Kendrik, came up with the concept of the show. Bhowmick leads the show’s production while Lahiri curates and promotes it.

Curation and creation

Sometimes the storytellers Lahiri finds for the show volunteer themselves, and sometimes she hears about a story from someone else and recruits the storyteller. Storytellers range in age from teenagers to the elderly. 

Lahiri then coaches storytellers through their story, similar to the role she takes during her storytelling workshops. “There’s a craft to storytelling,” Lahiri said. “It’s not formulaic, but there is a craft.”

Lahiri along with two other coaches help the participants craft their stories, which typically run five to eight minutes in length. The process starts with a brainstorming session and moves into multiple rounds of editing to shape the story. Coaches ask the storytellers questions about their tale to help them refine the details and create a clear, polished narrative.

This year’s lineup

This year’s “Voices” lineup features seven participants sharing distinctly different tales.

One storyteller is a doctor who plans to share how doctors not only evaluate the physical needs of a patient but also keep in mind the patient’s life experience as part of a multifaceted care plan. 

Another storyteller will share her experience moving to complete an internship. While feeling homesick, she calls into a Bollywood radio station and whistles along to a song. Through this, she is able to find her footing and cultivate a feeling of community in her new home.

This year’s line-up also includes a panel of Iranian immigrants who will be discussing their experiences, an addition to “Voices” due to the Iran War.

Past stories have revolved around participant experiences ranging from the experience of growing up in America with immigrant parents to running a domestic violence shelter for Asian women. 

Lahiri said she hopes such stories challenge audience members’ preconceived notions of the South Asian community and help them recognize the expansive array of identities, experiences and cultures it encompasses.

Individual and community impacts

Audience members aren’t the only ones changed by “Voices,” however. Lahiri said the storytellers are, too. “Some tellers really find a sense of closure from being seen and heard, from having shared,” she said, adding that she has also observed increased self-confidence in many participants.

Lahiri said the audience can expect to both relate to the storytellers and learn something new from them. 

“A lot of non-Asian people in the audience have told me that they feel like they have an insight into immigrants now that they didn’t have before,” said Lahiri.

“More than ever before it’s important to learn about other cultures in a time when people are being isolated and judged for their race or their culture,” she added. “Different isn’t bad, different isn’t scary. Different is just different.”

Lahiri also hopes the show will inspire others. “It’s really important for people to tell their own stories. If you don’t tell your own stories, someone else will and it won’t be right,” Lahiri said.

“Voices” will take place from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on June 5 at the Charles River Museum of Industry & Innovation in Waltham. Tickets for the show can be bought online through the Off-Kendrik website.