This fall, The Moth — the acclaimed global nonprofit dedicated to the art and craft of storytelling — presents a season devoted to the theme of Daring. Not the adrenaline-fueled variety, but the deeply human kind: the poignant power of telling the truth, the impactful moment of baring one’s heart, and the story that lingers long after it’s told.
Starting this September, from New York to Nairobi, 18 Mainstage events will be united under a single theme — marking the first time in the organization’s 25-plus-year history that an entire season has shared one focus. Each evening will spotlight five powerful storytellers sharing moments of honesty, vulnerability, and transformation — yet the tales and voices will be unique to that night. The result is a one-of-a-kind experience every time, woven with humor, surprise, and the kind of connection that only happens when true, personal stories are told.
At the heart of The Moth’s Fall 2025 Mainstage season are accounts of emotional revelation, courage of conviction, and the unshakable strength of the human spirit. Whether presented in a landmark New York theater or museum, under the lights of London’s Union Chapel, or in an iconic space close to the shores of Honolulu, each and every event promises an unforgettable evening — one night, one stage, incredible “best-of” emcees, and stories sure to leave a lasting impression.
“This season offers audiences a rare chance to witness courage in its many forms,” said Sarah Haberman, CEO of The Moth. “By uniting every Mainstage under the theme of daring, we’re not just presenting stories but sparking a collective conversation across perspectives. Each evening adds a new layer, and together they create a powerful portrait of bravery and vulnerability.”
The Moth Mainstage Multi-City Fall 2025 Season
- Sept. 18 – Season opener: Symphony Space, New York, N.Y.
- Sept. 18 – International season opener: Koerner Hall, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Sept. 18 – Herbst Theatre, San Francisco, Calif.
- Sept. 25 – College Street Music Hall, New Haven, Conn.
- Sept. 26 – Union Chapel, London, U.K.
- Oct. 3 – Hawaii Theatre Center, Honolulu, Hawaii
- Oct. 17 – Folly Theater, Kansas City, Mo.
- Oct. 17 – State Theatre New Jersey, New Brunswick, N.J.
- Oct. 24 – El Museo del Barrio, New York, N.Y. (Spanish-language program)
- Oct. 29 – The Wilbur, Boston, Mass.
- Nov. 1 – Catholic University, Nairobi, Kenya
- Nov. 7 – Miller Theater, Philadelphia, Pa.
- Nov. 19 – Cain’s Ballroom, Tulsa, Okla.
- Nov. 20 – Auditorium Theatre, Chicago, Ill.
- Dec. 4 – Center Stage Theater, Atlanta, Ga.
- Dec. 5 – St. Ann & the Holy Trinity Church, Brooklyn, N.Y.
- Dec. 9 – Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, Portland, Ore.
- Dec. 10 – Paramount Theater, Austin, Texas
Images, interviews or tickets to any of the shows are available by request.
About The Moth
The Moth is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the art and craft of storytelling. Since its founding in 1997, The Moth has presented more than 60,000 stories, told live and without notes, to standing-room-only audiences worldwide.
The Moth runs eight ongoing programs:
- The Moth Mainstage, which tours internationally and has featured storytellers including Elizabeth Gilbert, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Kathleen Turner, Malcolm Gladwell, Darryl “DMC” McDaniels, John Turturro, Molly Ringwald, Boots Riley, Krista Tippett, Damon Young, Mike Birbiglia, Rosanne Cash, Danyel Smith and Tig Notaro, as well as an astronaut, a pickpocket and a hot dog eating champion.
- The Moth StorySLAM, an open-mic competition held in 28 cities, including 26 in the United States as well as Melbourne, Australia, and London.
- The Moth Community Engagement Program, which offers workshops and performance opportunities to adults often overlooked by mainstream media.
- The Moth Education Program, which brings personal storytelling to high schools, colleges and educators worldwide.
- The Moth Global Community Program, which elevates personal stories from individuals across the global south.
- “The Moth Podcast,” a 2020 Webby People’s Voice Award winner for Best Podcast Series, downloaded tens of millions of times each year.
- MothWorks, which applies storytelling as a tool for empathetic communication.
- “The Moth Radio Hour,” a Peabody Award-winning program produced by Jay Allison at Atlantic Public Media and presented by PRX, which airs weekly on more than 560 public radio stations nationwide.
The Moth has also released A Game of Storytelling (Clarkson Potter), its first card deck; launched its second podcast, “Grown,” a Webby Award winner; and published five books: the New York Times bestseller “The Moth: 50 True Stories” (2013); “All These Wonders: True Stories About Facing the Unknown” (2017); the New York Times bestseller “Occasional Magic: True Stories of Defying the Impossible” (2019); “How to Tell a Story: The Essential Guide to Memorable Storytelling from The Moth” (2022); and its most recent release, “A Point of Beauty: True Stories of Holding On and Letting Go” (2024).
Learn more at themoth.org.
Media Contact
Meryl Cooper
meryl@thecooperationinc.com
