Moth storytelling nonprofit launches “Pop-Up Porch” in Tulsa

TULSA, Okla. — Global storytelling nonprofit The Moth, the team behind the Peabody Award-winning Moth Radio Hour and podcast, has selected Tulsa for the launch of The Moth Pop-Up Porch.

Inspired by the nonprofit organization’s origin— sharing stories on a porch during summer nights in Georgia— The Moth Pop Up Porch is a specially-built tiny house with a big porch that will travel to Tulsa, Dallas, Jackson, New Orleans, Birmingham and Atlanta this Fall.

“We are thrilled to launch The Moth Pop-Up Porch in Tulsa. Tulsa is an important city in our nation’s history and a vibrant community. Across cultures, the porch symbolizes community—a gathering place to connect with loved ones, friends and neighbors,” says Catherine Burns, Artistic Director, The Moth.

The Moth seeks to uncover new, diverse stories in cities and bring them to stages worldwide and, ultimately, to listeners on The Moth Radio Hour and The Moth Podcast.

The Pop-Up Porch is free and open to the public.

Story facilitators will be available to work with and hear from local storytellers at events at Guthrie Green and The Gathering Place.

In addition to storytelling opportunities, Magic City Books will host a book signing with Jennifer Hixson, a senior director and host of Moth Radio Hour.

A Moth StorySLAM will also be held at Living Arts. This ticketed, open-mic storytelling competition, allows anyone with a five-minute story based on the theme of CROSSROADS (exploring a turning point in one’s life) to take the stage and compete.

The Moth Pop-Up Porch in Tulsa:

• Sept. 21 – 22, Pop-Up Porch at Guthrie Green, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. (111 E Reconciliation Way)
• Sept. 22, StorySLAM, Living Arts Studio, 7 p.m. (307 E Reconciliation Way)
• Sept. 23 – 25, Pop-Up Porch at The Gathering Place, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. ( 2650 S John Williams Way)
• Sept. 24, Magic City Books event, 2 - 3 p.m. (221 E. Archer St.)

“The inspiration for The Moth came in part with friends and family coming together to share stories, as the moths who had found their way through the holes in the screens fluttered around the glow of the porch light. That experience of connectedness and warmth is what we aim to recreate with the inaugural Moth Pop-Up Porch,” says Burns.

The Moth is collaborating with local community partners such as Greenwood Rising, Tulsa Botanic Garden, Center for Poets and Writers, Magic City Books, Tulsa Artist Fellowship, Cherokee Nation Film Office and OK, So Tulsa to ensure the spirit of Tulsa is woven into the fabric of the experience.

The Pop-Up Porch is a collaboration with General Motors, and the automaker provided the car towing the tiny home cross country.

“We believe that everyone has a story to share and that when stories are listened to with an open heart and mind, we can build deep bonds and understanding through our shared humanity,” says Sarah Haberman, Executive Director, The Moth.

©2022 Imagicomm Tulsa, Inc.