The Literacy Network (LitNet) presents a live storytelling event inspired by the theme What This Place Makes Me. Throughout the summer, the storytellers — all of whom are immigrants working on their English with LitNet — will be coached by Sheela Clary through a series of storytelling workshops. In this culminating event, each storyteller will take the stage for 5-8 minutes to perform their What This Place Makes Me inspired story. 

A reception will follow this event! Please join us.

What this Place Makes Me (Restless Books, 2025) is a collection of seven award-winning plays by rising stars of contemporary theater that herald a profound shift in what it means to be an American, an immigrant, and an artist on today’s stage. This trailblazing collection edited by Isaiah Stavchansky includes works by first- and second-generation immigrants to the US, uniting seven exhilarating new voices of Lebanese, Nigerian, Korean, Bengali, Polish, and Mexican descent: Shayok Misha Chowdhury, Hansol Jung, Martyna Majok, Mona Mansour, Charlie Oh, Mfoniso Udofia, and jesús i. valles. Echoing beyond the stage, their stories draw on common experiences of displacement, alienation, and the sense of living in suspension; sometimes torn between two worlds, sometimes plummeting into the spaces between them. 

Sheela Clary, story coach for this project, is a freelance writer and Italian and storytelling teacher, born and raised in South Berkshire County. She’s a Moth Story Slam winner and Grand Slam participant and organizes storytelling events locally. Her essays, journalism and humor pieces can be found regularly in the Berkshire Edge and on her newsletter, Clarity. She lives with her family in West Stockbridge and enjoys hiking, traveling and cold water plunging.

The Literacy Network has been offering free, one-on-one tutoring sessions for adults since 1991. LitNet’s flexible, personalized approach to tutoring enables adult learners to succeed in their jobs, support their families, and engage with their local communities. The organization began by teaching reading skills, and LitNet quickly expanded its curriculum with lessons in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), citizenship test preparation, and adult basic education to better serve the large population of immigrants who live and work in the Berkshires.

The Community Voices Project fosters meaningful collaborations between The Mount and regional community partners. Through discussions, workshops, readings, and events, the Project aims to nurture and support the development of bold, new storytelling that strengthens diverse voices and incites cross-cultural exchange.

The Community Voices Project is supported by a grant awarded by Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation’s Arts Build Community initiative with funding from the Barr Foundation.

This event is FREE and open to the public!
Seating is limited, registration is recommended:

Interested in becoming a Mount Member? Join today.

• This one-hour talk takes place in The Mount’s Stable Auditorium, an indoor, climate controlled venue adjacent to the parking lot. Limited accessible parking is available in front of the Stable.
• Seating for all programs at The Mount is first come, first served. If you have seating preferences, we recommend arriving fifteen minutes early.
• Accessible seating is available! Please phone us in advance to discuss arrangements: 413-551-5111; ext. #2

Questions? Email: programs@edithwharton.org

What accessibility accommodations does The Mount offer? The Mount is a Massachusetts Cultural Council UP designated organization welcoming participants of all disabilities. Please contact us by phone: 413-551-5100 or by email: info@edithwharton.org to discuss accommodations needed to participate fully in this event. Golf carts will be available to shuttle those with mobility concerns between the parking lot and event venue. View The Mount’s Health and Safety Guidelines.