The Moth x Center for Creativity Celebrates 5 Years of Storytelling

TCC’s Center for Creativity celebrated five years as Tulsa’s exclusive partner of The Moth with a night of live storytelling. Twelve featured voices shared true stories that showcased the power of vulnerability and connection.

The Thomas K. McKeon Center for Creativity at Tulsa Community College marked five years as Tulsa’s exclusive community partner of The Moth with a night of live storytelling that brought authenticity and connection to a packed audience on Oct. 28.

Guests filled the Center for Creativity to hear curated stories from 12 storytellers who each shared true, personal narratives that ranged from deeply moving to laugh-out-loud funny. The program opened with remarks from Juan Rodriguez, Senior Manager at The Moth, who praised the Tulsa community’s commitment to elevating authentic voices and storytelling as an art form.

Annina Collier, Dean of the Center for Creativity and a storytelling instructor for The Moth, reflected on the anniversary and the community that has grown around the partnership.

“Tulsa’s storytellers amaze me with their honesty, vulnerability, and humor. Being able to help bring The Moth to this community and to watch local voices rise onto national stages has been a dream come true,” said Collier.

Since 2020, the partnership has hosted 11 storytelling intensives, including The Moth’s first-ever Deaf Voices workshop, that have helped hundreds of Tulsans discover and share their personal stories. The collaboration has also led to more major Moth events in Tulsa, including Mainstage and StorySLAM shows and the 2022 Moth Pop Up Porch tour.

Among the evening’s storytellers was TCC Professor of English Sloan Davis, who said he was honored to share the stage with so many talented voices for the milestone celebration.

“I was initially nervous with such a large crowd, but I found out after my first line when the audience applauded that they fully supported me and the other storytellers,” said Davis. “It felt like we were part of a story sharing community, and the storytellers who stood on stage communing poignant, insightful, oftentimes humorous, human experiences were inspirational. So many great stories [were told] that night.”

As part of the event, two audience members were randomly selected to participate in The Moth x Center for Creativity’s spring storytelling workshop, where they’ll work with instructors to craft and share their own stories at an upcoming public event.

The Moth Mainstage returns to Tulsa at Cain’s Ballroom on Wednesday, Nov. 19. This fall’s theme, “DARING,” showcases bold choices, courageous humility, and unforgettable moments told live on stage. All ages are welcome, and tickets are available at www.cainsballroom.com.