Soon the 2013 final curtain drops on our shows. The spirit of LTYM lives on all year round, however, in our willingness to share, to speak up, to bear witness, to say me too, to laugh along, to hold hope, to share tears, to stay open, and most importantly to listen.

this little light

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Raleigh-Durham cast members, photo by Jess Rotenberg Photography

Boulder cast by Nicole Kofoed Photography

Boulder cast by Nicole Kofoed Photography

photo by Macy Fitzgerald

Oklahoma City cast photo by Macy Fitzgerald

let it shine

Lisa Goosberry, LTYM: MIlwaukee, photo by orphonic multimedia

Lisa Goosberry, LTYM: MIlwaukee, photo by orphonic multimedia

Northwest Indiana cast photo by Beth Fletcher Photography

Northwest Indiana cast photo by Beth Fletcher Photography

Austin co-director/producers Elizabeth McGuire and Wendi Aarons, photo by Alison Eden

Austin co-director/producers Elizabeth McGuire and Wendi Aarons, photo by Alison Eden

Denver cast member Marilee Ross, photo by Blissful Impressions

Denver cast member Marilee Ross, photo by Blissful Impressions

Northwest Arkansas rehearsal photo by Stephanie McCratic

Northwest Arkansas rehearsal photo by Stephanie McCratic

Nydia Rojas, Sarah Slayton & Takeyla Benton (Madison cast) by 2nd Street Photography

Nydia Rojas, Sarah Slayton & Takeyla Benton (Madison cast) by 2nd Street Photography

this little light of ours

Sacramento cast by Sarah Maren Photography

Sacramento cast by Sarah Maren Photography

Plumas County cast member Wendy Weight with her daughter. Photo by Margaret Elysia Garcia.

Plumas County cast member Wendy Weight with her daughter. Photo by April Weilputz

 

Indiana cast member photo by Mike Washington

Indianapolis cast member photo by Mike Washington

Chicago cast by Sabrina Luster Persico

Chicago cast by Sabrina Luster Persico

 

DC cast member  Arnebya Herndon, photo by Then Again Photography

DC cast member Arnebya Herndon, photo by Then Again Photography

San Francisco cast toast, photo by Kim Thompson Steel

San Francisco cast toast, photo by Kim Thompson Steel


we’re gonna let it shine

Wilmington cast, photo by Donna Harlev

Wilmington cast, photo by Donna Harlev

Kansas City cast members, photo by Karen Ledford

Kansas City cast members, photo by Karen Ledford

Spokane cast photo by follgerphotography.com

Spokane cast photo by follgerphotography.com

St. Louis production team, photo by Jennifer York

St. Louis production team, photo by Jennifer York

let it shine, let it shine…

Twin Cities co-director Heather King, photo by Jennifer Liv photography

Twin Cities co-director Heather King, photo by Jennifer Liv photography

Providence cast photo (self-timer)

Providence cast photo by Jennifer Ciplet

New York City cast photo by Jennifer Lee Photography

New York City cast photo by Jennifer Lee Photography

E. Iowa production team: Jen Neumann, Lyz Lenz, & Heather Smith Friedman

E. Iowa production team: Jen Neumann, Lyz Lenz, & Heather Smith Friedman, photo by Grace Neumann

Northern Utah cast photo by Naoma Wilkinson

Northern Utah cast photo by Naoma Wilkinson

Let it shine.

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Third annual (yes, annual) Austin show and “Stage” mothers know best on NBC News

May 10, 2013

  Co directors Elizabeth McGuire and Wendi Aarons started Austin’s 3rd annual LTYM show by recalling a comment made by a patron at the first Austin show… “First annual”..isn’t that a little ambitious?? Austin’s 3rd annual and completely sold out show–filled with 15 award-winning writers, journalists, bloggers, mothers, daughters (and one son) selected from 150 applicants–proved beyond a doubt that “annual” does not equal ambitious for LTYM. Elizabeth and Wendi masterfully crafted the evening and read their own fantastic pieces to boot. Blythe Jewell found generous local sponsors to help make the show possible. Best of all, the readers moved me to such an extent that even after hearing hundreds of mother stories over the past three years, I still partook of the party favors. I especially loved this feedback from an audience member: I attended the event last night in Austin Texas and it was amazing. I am not a mother, I [...]

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Happy Mother’s Day!! Share The Stories. (and link up your own LTYM post)!

May 8, 2013

Share the Stories They came from all directions – – strong women with creative minds and giving hearts. “We have stories to tell,” they said. “Will they come and listen?” They came from all directions – – friendly people with open minds and receiving hearts. The women told their stories – – Some shared laughter. Some shared tears. The people listened and embraced the emotions. There emerged a deep understanding – – Sharing the stories was an amazing thing. by  Liz Cole Parker, Oklahoma City cast member Written to commemorate the first Listen to Your Mother performance in Oklahoma City May 5, 2013 While 16 LTYM cities host shows this week, we’d like to invite YOU to link-up your own LTYM-style piece. Poetry or essay, heart-wrenching or humor–if motherhood (or your mom, or the person who raised you, or fatherhood!) takes center-stage LINK UP! And Happy Mother’s Day EVERYONE!!  

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Chicago rocked the house, NBC Nightly News, and 16 more shows this week/end!

May 6, 2013

Last year I took my mom to New York City to see the unforgettable inaugural LTYM:NYC show.  I thought seeing LTYM take Manhattan might prove the highlight of my LTYM career.  Now I know it was a highlight, not the highlight. Yesterday, I brought Mom to Chicago to see their 2nd annual LTYM show. A crew from NBC Nightly News (including correspondent Janet Shamlian and producer Erika Angulo) joined us for the afternoon, and I can no longer even begin to imagine what’s possible for LTYM. Janet Shamlian interviewing Chicago co-director/producer Tracey Becker Dynamite Duo Melisa Wells and Tracy Becker packed the Athenaeum’s enormous house. The show flowed beautifully. I sat in the front row, letting the stories and audience consume me with their raucous laughter, silent solidarity, and uproarious applause. I anticipated witnessing “me too” moments in the lobby after the show–of audience members approaching cast members that spoke to their experience–and [...]

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