Presented by Mesa Arts Center
Box Office Hours: TUE-SAT 12P-5P
The Moth is true stories, told live and without notes. We celebrate the ability of true, personal storytelling to illuminate both the diversity and commonality of human experience. Our work allows people all over the world and from all walks of life to share their stories on stage in front of a live audience. The Moth brings the power of personal storytelling to millions of people each year—creating community and building empathy around the world.
Amir Baghdadchi is the writer and director of the new award-winning political comedy Marley For Michigan. Before that, he’s been a paper boy, oyster shucker, scholar of antiquity, parade leprechaun, personal chef, résumé fixer, candidate for public office, and has won the odd Moth GrandSLAM or two. Watch his latest at amirforamerica.com.
Becky Chan retired in Seattle after 22 years with the FBI. An avid gardener, she volunteers, forages the wild, and hones her storytelling skill as a freelance writer for the NW Asian Weekly, a community newspaper. Becky emigrated from Hong Kong to the U.S. with her family in 1971 and settled in Putney, VT, where she learned to square dance, skinny dip, and make pizza out of Velveeta cheese, Chef Boyardee sauce, and English muffins. It’s only after working in NYC she realized what real pizza is. A graduate of Brattleboro Union High School, she was the 1976 440 yard dash Vermont State Champ. Becky also ran track at North Carolina State University, “alongside” Joan Benoit Samuelson, the 1984 Olympic Gold Medalist in the marathon. Joan has no recollection of ever running with Becky.
Oscar De las salas is a Colombian-born bilingual design expert and architect who came to Arizona in 1998. He holds a second master's degree in Architecture and Design from the University of Salamanca, Spain, and has completed internships across Europe, including Milan. Currently, Oscar is the Customer Relationship Manager for Gensler, and works frequently as a media-savvy professional, having appeared on major networks and national livestreams to share his insights on culture, design, and community. A passionate advocate for social enterprises and the Latino community, Oscar’s journey is marked by a commitment to his roots, relationship-building, and a genuine passion for the Arts. He shares his perspectives on and off through his popular blog, "What Would Oscar Do." Oscar has been happily married to Gary Jackson, whom he calls "his American prince," for the past 10 years.
George Sumner lives in Salt Lake City with his wife, Tina Hose. One of six siblings, George was raised in rural Utah, but says he grew up in Vietnam, where he served as a helicopter pilot. George enjoyed a firefighter career in Salt Lake City and a second career as fire chief in suburban Bountiful, Utah.. George took job-related college classes all during his career, getting Associate Degrees in Fire Science and Paramedic, Bachelors in Social Studies and a Masters of Public Administration. In retirement, George and Tina are active in community and political affairs, serving on community councils and non-profit boards. They enjoy travel, especially visiting their friends and family scattered throughout America.
