The Women Who Raised Us
A night of stories & art about the women who raised us - our mothers, grandmothers, sisters, neighbors - and how her presence molded our lives.
HDC's inaugural Storytelling Series is an intimate evening of live, written, and expressed personal stories: honest, human, & unforgettable.
ABOUT THE EVENT
A night built for her.
Some women gave us life. Some gave us courage. Some gave us the kind of love that's hard to put into words, but we're going to try.
HDC's Storytelling Series launches with its inaugural event: The Women Who Raised Us. An intimate evening centered on Mother's Day, where community members share personal stories about the maternal figures who shaped them. Stories told live. Not recorded. Just felt.
Three to four live storytellers or musicians.
Curated printed written stories & poetry.
Fine art, sculptures, mixed media on display.
SHARE YOUR STORY
We want to hear from you.
You don't have to be a seasoned storyteller. You just have to have something true to say about a woman who shaped you. We've built a thoughtful, supported process to help you get your story ready — from first submission all the way to the stage.
01
SUBMIT YOUR STORY IDEA
Window closes 4/5, 11:59 pm
Complete the Google submission form through the link. We're looking for story clarity, personal connection to the theme, and readiness for a live audience. We'll select 3-4 live storytellers with varied length and tone.
02
MEET & GREET
Week of April 13, in person @AAV
Selected storytellers & performers gather to meet each other, walk through the event format, and talk about what makes a strong live story. Pacing, emotional arc, staying in time. A warm, low-stakes meeting.
03
DRY RUN + FEEDBACK
Week of April 27
Deliver your full story and receive constructive, encouraging feedback from peers & facilitators. Focus on pacing, arc, and opening and closing strength. Final adjustments before the live event.
04
TAKE THE STAGE
Saturday, May 9, 7-9 pm
You show up, you tell your story. The room holds you. Stories run 10-20 minutes based on their natural shape - every length is by design, not ranking.
KEY DATES
March 23 Submissions open
April 5 Submission deadline
April 8 Speakers notified
Week of April 13 Meet & Greet at AAV Original Gallery
Week of April 20 Dry Run & Feedback at AAV Original Gallery
Week of April 27 Tech Rehearsal with lights & Sounds at the AAV PAC
Saturday, May 9 Live Event · AuSable Artisan Village PAC
What we're looking for
A personal story centered on a maternal figure — a mother, grandmother, aunt, mentor, or any woman who raised you. Interpret broadly. This can also include short stories, poetry, songs, and pieces of artwork or photographs.
Stories that are honest and human — tender, funny, complicated, hard. All of it belongs here.
Shorter stories run approximately 10 minutes; longer stories up to 20 minutes. Length is matched to the natural shape of your story.
Stories will not be recorded. What's shared in this room stays in this room — and we mean it.
Your submission is a written outline. Not a finished, polished piece — just your story and where it wants to go.
THE VENUE
AuSable Artisan Village,
Performing Arts Center
122 E Michigan Avenue, Grayling
There's no more fitting place for an evening of stories than a space that was built to celebrate art, community, and the creative spirit of Northern Michigan.
AuSable Artisan Village in Grayling is a gathering place for makers, dreamers, and storytellers - and on May 9, it becomes ours.
QUESTIONS
Good to know.
Do I have to submit something to attend?
Not at all. Come as an audience member, come to witness, come to be moved. Tickets are open to everyone — available through the AuSable Artisan Village ticketing platform.
What if my story involves difficult topics?
Bring it. Some of the most important stories are the hard ones. We do ask that all pieces are shared with care and consent — if your story involves others, please be thoughtful about how they're represented.
Can I read my own piece or have someone read it for me?
Both are welcome. If you'd like to share your piece but aren't comfortable reading aloud, let us know in your submission and we'll make it work.
Is this event only for women?
This event is open to everyone. The stories are centered on women who shaped us — but honoring them belongs to all of us.
How do I buy tickets?
Tickets are available through the AuSable Artisan Village ticketing platform. Tickets are $10 per person — grab yours early when they go live.
I have more questions. Who do I contact?
Reach out to us directly at rachel@thehumandevelopmentcollective.org.