‘We Are Waltham’ Show Encourages Residents To Tell Their Stories

WALTHAM, MA — Waltham resident Chandreyee Lahiri is encouraging others to share their stories with her initiative “We Are Waltham,” a show that opened in June at the Charles River Museum of Industry and Innovation and will return on Friday, Sept. 23.

Each We Are Waltham show features six residents who share a personal story with a live audience. Lahiri teaches these storytellers how to tell a story, create a draft, edit, and rehearse.

“The aim is to really build community, help people learn about each other, and break down natural divisions that exist in a community with many cultures,” Lahiri said. “It’s easy to think of people who are not like you as ’the other,’ but when you share stories about personal lives, you can walk in someone else’s shoes and become closer. You can bond over similarities, but also increase your understanding of another person’s life.”

Made possible with a grant from the Waltham Cultural Council, We Are Waltham will continue take place every three months, bringing in new voices and perspectives with each chapter.

“It’s my way of holding up a mirror to the community to show them who lives in this city, so we may jump to conclusions a little bit less and judge each other a little bit less,” Lahiri said.

Lahiri is a writer and storyteller who has been on shows and podcasts including “Stories from the Stage,” “Voices,” and Suitcase Stories.” She moved to the U.S. from Kolkata, India 25 years ago and has lived in Waltham for 14 years. Lahiri credits the Charles River Museum with making the show possible.

"The show is made possible thanks to the generosity of Bob Perry and his staff at the Charles River Museum of Industry and Innovation who host the show in the historical museum gallery with full production support like lights, high quality sound, and video recording,” she said.

For more information on participating in We Are Waltham or to reserve a ticket for the next show, visit https://www.wearewaltham.com.