The voices are young and old, firm and quavering. They speak to friends, family members, girlfriends and boyfriends, co-workers. Each one represents an everyday person with an extraordinary story to tell.

They moments they speak of range from tragic to joyful. One friend tells another about her brother's death from AIDS in the early 1980s. A sister tells her brother about the birth of her son—made almost comical by the sounds of the disco hit "I'm Coming Out" piped in by the hospital sound system. A boyfriend tells his girlfriend about the moment he learned his beloved father had died—and then proposes to her with the engagement ring his father had given his mother.

What makes these compelling stories even more remarkable is the manner in which they're collected. They're all part of a national project called StoryCorps, which began in October 2003 with a stationary "StoryBooth" recording studio in New York City's Grand Central Station. Now, during the summer of 2005, StoryCorps is heading out on the open road with what it calls "MobileBooths," housed in a shiny, retro-looking Airstream trailer. Even better, StoryCorps is coming to coming to the Badger State, giving Wisconsinites a chance to tell their own tales.

StoryCorps gives everyday Americans a chance not only to share their stories with a loved one, but also to have them recorded. Those who tell their stories get to keep a copy on CD; they also have the option of archiving their stories at the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress. There are also record-it-yourself options for those who cannot make it to a mobile booth in the Airstream trailer or the stationary booths in New York City.

Wisconsin residents will get a chance to tell their stories when the StoryCorps trailer comes to Milwaukee and Madison in June 2005. Milwaukee dates are June 2 through June 6, and Madison dates are June 9 through June 20. (See more detailed information below.)

StoryCorps' Badger State visit is hosted by Milwaukee Public Radio (WUWM) and Wisconsin Public Radio (WPR). StoryCorps will collect over 100 stories during its tour across the state. Radio listeners will be able to hear portions of some of the interviews broadcast on Wisconsin Public Radio and WUWM during StoryCorps' stay in Wisconsin.

David Isay, StoryCorps' president, says, "Over the past year and a half, we've seen the profound effect StoryCorps has had on the lives of those who have participated in the project, and we've seen the power that these stories have had on the millions who have heard them on National Public Radio and on the Web." Isay continues, "We believe that listening is an act of love. StoryCorps will engage communities, teach participants to become better listeners, foster intergenerational communication, and help Americans appreciate the strength in the stories of everyday people they find all around them."

WPR director Phil Corriveau adds, "This is a great opportunity for Wisconsin Public Radio to be involved in a nationwide storytelling adventure."

Listeners—and prospective storytellers—can get a feel for the project at StoryCorps' absorbing and addictive Web site, which features sound clips from dozens of interviews as well as photos of the participants. Maybe you'll be inspired to tell your own story!

Mobile Booth visits in Wisconsin

Appointments to record your story can be reserved though the StoryCorps website.

Milwaukee
June 2 - 6
Marcus Center for the Performing Arts
929 N. Water Street
Approximately 30 interviews

Madison
June 9 - 20
Library Mall
800 block of State Street
University of Wisconsin-Madison campus
Approximately 70 interviews