S1E14 Scott Illingworth: Borders and Belonging - The American Immigrant Experience

Scott Illingworth is a director, educator, and creative force who bridges theatre and social engagement. Much of his work focuses on new and adapted works that bring urgent human stories to the stage. In this conversation, Scott sits down with Anirvan to discuss his work in capturing immigrant stories through the Verbatim Salon, a monthly event in New York City where actors perform real stories from people navigating the U.S. immigration system. He shares insights into the collaborative process of theater-making, the importance of storytelling in understanding the immigrant experience, and the emotional depth of the narratives presented. The stories we hear of immigrants speaking of their experiences - an muslim woman who escaped conflict in Afghanistan, a central American man who came over as a young child, and a Ukrainian woman who came to the U.S. after the Russian invasion, highlight the complexities of identity and belonging, emphasizing the need for empathy and understanding in addressing immigration issues in America.