Toc was born in a refugee camp in Thailand and came to the US at the age of three. As the eldest child in her family, she often had to be the interpreter and guide for her parents and even for the greater Lao community as they adapted to their new country. Growing up, she resented all this but later, as time went by, she began to realize the profound wisdom her parents had gifted her.
This story was shared on stage as part of The Immigrant Story Live, a signature production of the award-winning nonprofit, The Immigrant Story. The event took place on Saturday, September 14, 2024, at the Cabell Center Theater at Catlin Gabel School in Portland, Oregon.
Presented in collaboration with the City of Portland’s Office of Community & Civic Life’s Immigrant & Refugee Program, this performance was part of Welcoming Week 2024, a national initiative that brings together immigrants, refugees, and U.S.-born residents to celebrate the power of inclusive communities.
This free public event was generously supported by the Zidell Family Foundation, with additional funding from the City of Portland and Travel Portland.
Storyteller: Toc Soneoulay-Gillespie
Performance Coach : Demet Tuncer
Script Coach: Nancy E. Dollahite
Master Of Ceremonies: Demet Tuncer
Rehearsal: St. Andrew Lutheran Church
Camera: Jesus Contreras, Lani Milton, ??, Sam Gaty
Video Edit: ??
Post Video Edit and Color: ??
Sound : Joel Groves, Aloha Sound, Beaverton, Oregon, USA
Sound Post Mixing & Mastering: Jack McDonald
Lights: John Oribello, Cailin Cable High School
Stage Backdrop: PLACE
Stage Manager: Stacy Waters
Location Manager: Mia Bane, Cailin Cable High School
Technical Manager: Todd Baize
Logistics: Trina Hing, Alexandra Kotova
Executive Producer: Sankar Raman