Amplifying the voices
of underserved and
underrepresented populations.
Our Mission
We are a unique performing arts program with a mission to celebrate the culture of our Chattanooga community by cultivating and mentoring diverse artists, presenters, and audiences in an eclectic, creative environment.
We generate inclusive experiences and challenging conversations to connect audiences and artists.
Our Work
Oral History Theatrical Series
We believe that oral history and storytelling performance are disciplines that enjoy a unique synergy based on shared and complementary investments in orality, life stories, and community building.
Staging oral histories increases the visibility of the narratives, moving them out of the archives and presenting them to a broader audience in a dynamic form. Creating a public performance from an oral history interview squares the memory circle by inscribing a private memory into the public consciousness.
Ethics-based Oral History Education
We bring our ethical oral history methodology to classrooms and organizations across Chattanooga. We connect students, educators, and advocates with training and tools for collecting oral histories, creative writing, and storytelling performances to advance social change.
Through our partnerships and consulting, Southern Exposure offers expert storytelling and program support to nonprofits, schools, businesses, and more. These customized projects and workshops use Southern Exposure's pedagogy to promote empathy, build relationships, and amplify community voices.
