When The Moth came to town for their Mainstage event, they also brought their MothSHOP Community Education Program for an entire week at Franklin High School. Launched in 2000 as a way to bring their famed storytelling process to people who might not otherwise have a chance to participate, The MothSHOP teaches storytelling principles to students and then shares those stories within the community and beyond, giving platform to voices that might otherwise have gone unheard.
At Franklin, six brave students worked on their stories all week and then performed them in front of an auditorium full of their peers. Moth stories are true, first-person narratives told without notes. The theme was, fittingly for February and high school, “Love hurts.” The students told stories involving not just romantic love, but their affection for grandparents, pets, and a quirky aunt. It was incredible to see these talented storytellers sharing their authentic, emotional moments onstage. Thanks to The MothSHOP crew for their hard work on this event, the brave storytellers, and our sponsors who help us bring nationally renowned programming to PPS students.