Back in 2001, Katie Smythe founded the New Ballet Ensemble (NBE) with a simple goal: for every paying student, she would admit a community student on full or partial scholarship. Thirteen years later, NBE has been recognized by The New York Times, the National Symphony Orchestra, and now—Michelle Obama.

In our hyperconnected, digital age, people hunger for real stories. In Memphis and across the country, storytelling nights are growing thanks to the popularity of The Moth, This American Life and other programs that elevate life into art.

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