Arizona Storytellers: Our Family, Our Culture
Millie Hollandbeck grew up a child of deaf parents, and she’s been an interpreter for them her entire life.
“It took a journey over decades before I came to really appreciate even a fraction of what their experience has been being deaf in a hearing world, a world that I take for granted,” she said.
For a while, Hollandbeck didn’t feel comfortable telling such an intimate story. But since writing her story 15 years ago, she’s been looking for the right avenue to share it.
Hollandbeck decided the Storytellers stage was the perfect place.
“I hope the audience gains insight into one person’s experience in the world of the deaf,” she said.
Like Hollandbeck’s, every family has its own stories, traditions and memories. At “Arizona Storytellers: Our Family, Our Culture,” you’ll hear stories about the families we’re born into — and the ones we choose.
Join us at the Phoenix Theatre on Aug. 21 for a night of storytelling, hosted by Kaila White and Lorraine Longhi, reporters at The Arizona Republic and az central.com.
Like Hollandbeck, Randy Howe will also tell a story about his parents.
Howe, who was adopted, will share his experience using DNA testing in a search for his biological family.
Terri Trent’s story traces the theme of resilience in her family. In particular, it examines the influence of her greatgrandfather, a formerly enslaved person.
Hollandbeck, Howe and Trent are all taking the Storytellers stage for the first time. You can hear their stories and more at Arizona Storytellers: Our Family, Our Culture.
In an effort to be more accessible to guests who are deaf or have hearing loss, the Arizona Storytellers Project is providing live, open captioning at all remaining shows in 2018.
There will be a section of reserved seats in front of the screen. Anyone who wants to use the service is welcome to sit in the reserved section, as is any of their guests.
More than 1 million Arizonans have some form of hearing loss — captioning ensures more people can enjoy our events.
To be considered as a storyteller, visit storytellersproject.com and click on “Speak.” To ask about supporting partnerships, contact michael.hell er@gannett.com.