Building community and possibility by sharing your stories.
Project Description
Since 2013, I’ve engaged audiences across the country in a public humanities community building project called Voices. Each performance weaves people’s true stories together, offering a glimpse into how our lives overlap in this moment. I start by working with participants who are interested in sharing a piece of their own story. I find connections in these different stories, and weave them into a performance that helps the community to see, share, and strengthen itself.
Each new project is primarily for the community that collaborates in writing it.
Current Project
“Cancer Voices,” in collaboration with cancer survivors, family members, doctors, nurses, healthcare administrators, and researchers. This project builds bridges between community expertise, professional healthcare expertise, and researcher expertise, strengthening collaborations between these different groups and improving treatment ecosystems. Performances Spring 2026, with video trailer here.
Selected Past Projects
“Solidarity Garden Voices,” 2023-2024 in collaboration with a community garden network, Solidarity Gardens, and with gardeners, volunteers, administrators, and people who eat from what’s grown. Videos here.
“Voices of the Land,” 2022, in collaboration with farmers, crop scientists, citizens from food deserts, and agricultural policy lobbyists. Live recording from conference presentation here.
“Voices of Memory,” 2022, in collaboration with the Memory Studies initiative at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Video here.
“Voices of ISEEN,” 2021-2022, in collaboration with the Independent Schools Experiential Education Network.
“Odyssey Voices I” and “Odyssey Voices II,” 2020-2021, in collaboration with the Odyssey Project at the Humanities Research Institute in Illinois.
“Voices of the Gargoyle,” 2019-2020, in collaboration with the University Laboratory School in Illinois.
“Voices: Being Here,” 2019, in collaboration with an international community and students at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Script excerpt here.
“Voices From the Valley,” 2019, in collaboration with Verde Valley School in Arizona.
“Voices in the Hall” series, 2013-2018, in collaboration with Heritage Hall School in Oklahoma.
Contact
Azlan Smith
Azlan.Smith@gmail.com
Azlan Guttenberg Smith 