When the pandemic forced us to shut our theater doors, we were fortunate to be invited by KALW radio to broadcast a reading of a short story, live on the "Open Air" weekly performing arts program. This inspired the creation of WORD for WORDcast – our podcast series of recorded short stories in Word for Word's unique multi-voiced style. In this time when we can't meet in person, the podcast seems the perfect way to deliver Word for Word’s brand of storytelling – without our distinctive visuals, but with the same emphasis on language and great writing. With the combined talents of directors and actors from far and wide, Z Space staff production support, and great sound designers, we are able to make these performances available to our home audience as well as audiences all over the world.
The first season of the WORD for WORDcast was a great success and ran from September 2020 to February 2021. See below to listen to those shows that we were able to keep posted.
The WORD for WORDcast is free, but we rely on your donations to pay our professional artists, and to fund future episodes. Please consider supporting Word for Word if you enjoy the content.
Season One Stories
Citizen by Greg Sarris
Originally released in two parts on 1/14/21 and 1/21/21
The tale of Salvador, born in the U.S., raised in Mexico; son of an American Indian mother and a Mexican father. He has returned to California to find his mother, or rather, her grave. Working in the fields and ranches around Santa Rosa, he meets his mother's family, encountering both kindness and opportunism, as well as glimmers of hope. An American citizen, who speaks no English, Salvador procures his proof of citizenship and begins to discover his true identity, and what it means to belong.
The 14 Mission by Anita Cabrera
Originally released on 12/28/20
On Christmas Day, a man takes a crosstown bus to visit his best friend. The man remembers his own life as a drunken outcast, so troubled he was once thrown off the bus he is now riding. As the bus ride proceeds and he traverses the neighborhoods of San Francisco, he considers what he owes his friend.
The Machine Stops by E.M. Forster
Originally Released in three parts on 9/17/20, 9/24/20, and 10/1/20
Written in 1909, this is a dystopian look at the future, where everyone lives underground, is controlled by “The Machine,” and communicates with each other over vast distances through glowing blue plates.
If you want to broadcast the show, discuss podcast cross-promotion, or for other partnership inquiries, please contact Z Space Marketing Director Andrew Burmester at aburmester@zspace.org.
For press inquiries, please contact Word for Word’s Press Agent David Hyry at dahona@gmail.com.
