Meet the 5 Iowans who will share stories of community at the next Storytellers Project
Five Iowans will share the impact their communities have had on their lives at the next Des Moines Storytellers Project event.
"Community" takes place at 7 p.m. Feb. 27 at Des Moines' historic Hoyt Sherman Place, 1501 Woodland Ave.
In its seventh season, the Register's Storytellers Project is dedicated to the idea that oral storytelling and journalism have the same goals: Serving and reflecting a community while fostering empathy.
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Iowans will tell their stories live on stage without notes and from their hearts. They have been coached by Register journalists Paris Barraza, Alyssa Hertel, Brandon Hurley, Ronna Faaborg, Kim Norvell, Lee Rood and F. Amanda Tugade. Norvell will host the show.
Tickets cost $14 or $30 for VIP, which includes a free drink and treat, and are available to purchase through Ticketmaster or at the Hoyt Sherman Place box office.
Two other shows this year are:
Travel — June 18
Overcoming — Oct. 22
Questions about the show can be directed to events@dmreg.com or 515-619-6548. More information, including how to submit a story to tell live on stage, can be found at desmoinesregister.com/storytellers.
Meet our storytellers:
Jordan Brooks
Jordan Brooks is a creator, educator, and owner of KNWSLF (pronounced Know Self). KNWSLF stands for KNowledge, Wisdom, Self Love, and Fellowship. Jordan is a doctoral student and his art and research explore how Black parents can curate Black art within their homes to support their children’s racial/ethnic identity development.
Kenny Gaskin
Kenny Gaskin is a fourth grade teacher in Des Moines. He has a bachelor’s from the University of Iowa and a master’s from Drake University. His favorite people are his wife and two kids. Kenny enjoys learning new things, reading, video games, and playing recreational sports.
Erlin Kakkanad
Dr. Erlin Kakkanad's experiences have shaped her into a problem-solver. An Asian Indian American, Dr. Kakkanad has earned a Ph.D. in education, she is an author, entrepreneur, award-winning speaker, Human Rights Commissioner for the city of West Des Moines, and a business process transformation expert. She and her husband live in West Des Moines with their two sons.
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Jim Sayers
Jim Sayers grew up in rural Humboldt County, and today lives in the farmhouse in which he was raised over 70 years ago. After a career working for a rural electric cooperative and farming part-time, he is now “mostly” retired — volunteering, serving on community organization boards and seeking to give inspiration and encouragement to those around him.
Deborah Svec-Carstens
Deborah Svec-Carstens, J.D., MTS, is a writer and spiritual director. After a nearly 20-year career as a government attorney, Deborah returned to graduate school and earned her Master of Theological Studies degree. Deborah shares life with Mike, her spouse of 26 years, and she loves being “auntie” to a dozen nieces and nephews. She sings with the Des Moines Choral Society and enjoys hiking the mountains of Montana or sitting by the ocean reading a good book.
Hear past stories from the Des Moines Storytellers Project
The Des Moines Storytellers podcast is the perfect way to revisit favorite stories or hear ones that you've missed. Look for us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite podcasting platform.
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This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Des Moines Storytellers lineup for 'Community,' tickets on sale
