Actors at the “This is My City: St. Pete Stories” production. (From left to right) Ann Morrison, Elizabeth Bonni, Andrida Hosey, Bob Devin Jones and Erica Sutherlin.
Welcoming diversity through community storytelling.
Roaring conversations filled the Sunken Gardens ballroom, but gradually lowered as the house lights dimmed. Catherine Weaver sat up a little straighter in her chair as she focused her attention, and her cellphone camera, on the actors seated onstage.
Weaver and fellow St. Petersburg residents Willie Rogers, Myrtle Williams, Marika Robinson and Katee Tully, had their life stories told by actors in the Oct. 13 production of “This is my City: St. Pete Stories.”
The first actress to speak, Erica Sutherlin retold stories of juvenile delinquency, desegregation, domestic abuse – and ultimately healing. Weaver, in particular, watched with a critical eye, one that was unmatched by the remainder of the audience.
Those were her stories.
The production was the fourth and final installment of the “Community Conversation” series, which was produced by the non-profit organization, Your Real Stories, founded by Dr. Lillian Dunlap and Jaye Sheldon.
“We gather the stories of real people so we can bring people together and talk about our differences and our diversity,” said Dr. Lillian Dunlap. “We get the conversation started, and that’s where the magic is. If our stories can have an impact and change lives, that’s what it’s all about.”
Sheldon said that she and Dunlap spent several hours interviewing each participant before compiling an eight-minute script that encapsulates the story of the person’s life. The series of scripts are then portrayed by local actors in front of a live audience.
Each story shared overarching themes of perseverance and hope for the future.
After all six stories were told, Dunlap and Sheldon invited the participants whose lives inspired the stories to stand beside the actors onstage. The audience stirred as Weaver, Rogers, Williams, Robinson and Tully rose from their seats. Most were unaware that the people who lived these stories were sitting amongst them.
The house lights were raised and Dunlap and Sheldon split the audience into groups where they were encouraged to discuss the stories told.
Weaver expressed to her group how she was pleased with the narrative, but wished the rendering of her story included more about the future and less about the past. She owns an art studio in the Midtown area of St. Petersburg called Uniquely Original Arts, where she motivates women to find healing through artistic expression, just as she did.
Clusters of conversation bursted around the room. People reflected on the performances and shared similar or contrasting experiences. Audience members were now full-fledged participants in the storytelling event.
Mayor Rick Kriseman attended the event and said he believes the powerful impact of storytelling has the potential to change lives. Kriseman said he hopes events like these will help create a community where tolerance thrives and people care about one another. Kriseman’s story was retold in an installation of the production earlier in the summer.
