After a sold-out event in 2016, The Moth returns to Johannesburg on Saturday March 16 2024  for a night of captivating, personal, and authentic storytelling at UJ Arts & Culture’s  Keorapetse William Kgositsile Theatre. Launched in 1997 in the United States, The Moth is now a global phenomenon, having presented thousands of stories. The show starts at 18:15, Early bird tickets are R80 on https://bit.ly/Booktickets-TheMoth2024
The Moth was started by writer George Dawes Green in the United States and, since its inception, has shared more than 60,000 personal stories to audiences around the world through platforms such as their live storytelling events, The Moth Podcast (which had over 100 million downloads in 2022), storytelling workshops, and books.
Held around the world, The Moth Mainstage events take storytelling to new heights. They are live, candid, note-free, and deeply immersive in the way they connect people by highlighting both the diversity and commonality of human experience. At Moth Mainstage shows, five storytellers and a host take the stage to share a 10-12 minute personal story. Each story is true as remembered by the storyteller and crafted with the help of a Moth story Director.
For this event, South Africa’s Nsovo Mayimele will be joined on stage by four other storytellers including Turkey based, Syria born Mohammad Jasem and Kenya’s Webster Makombe. They will share their unique stories on the theme of “Power and Possibility” which will inspire you to imagine the possibilities that may unfold when you tap into your own power. The production is directed by Sarah Austin Jenness and Jodi Powell.  The Moth has tapped Johannesburg’s own Lebo Mashile to host the event.
“On The Moth stage five varied and accomplished activists will share true personal stories on the theme, Power and Possibility. On Saturday, March 16th, you’ll hear stories of rolling the dice for a lucky break and entering the arena for a fighting chance – digging deep, asking what’s next, and leaping into the unknown.” Says Jenness. “What happens when you find courage, step into power and realize what’s possible? We’re looking forward to this night of hilarious, heartbreaking and authentic stories that will make you feel more connected and think of what
could be possible when you tap into your power. We’re thrilled to be back in Johannesburg.”Adds Powell.
The Moth is a globally acclaimed nonprofit organization that celebrates the commonality and diversity of human experience through the art and craft of true, personal storytelling. Through live storytelling events, The Moth Podcast and storytelling workshops, The Moth aims to create a more empathetic world by connecting people from every background through the sharing of true stories. Learn more at www.themoth.org
The story behind The Moth’s name goes that it comes from the writer’s memories of growing up in St. Simons Island, Georgia, “where neighbours would gather late at night on a friend’s porch to tell stories and drink bourbon as moths flew in through the broken screens and circled the porch light”.
At the heart of the initiative is the desire to connect people from different backgrounds and walks of life by sharing what it means to be human and empathetic, by showcasing extraordinary personal stories from everyday people.
Watch The Moth here: