About Us

The history of our organization

Who We Are

Voices From The Earth: Preserving Stories Through Performance

We are storytellers. Voices of the stories of the world and around the world. Voices from the earth, past present and future. Connecting stories from the lives we meet and those that have past on, shaping us and filling the world with wonder.

Storytelling takes us around the world, to places far and near, from the ridge to the rill, from the rivers to the headwaters, from the young and the old, the old and the new, the lost and the found. We are the traditions keepers, the listeners, the ones who remember, we are the historians, the singers and writers and directors. On stage and off, we keep telling the stories that make us strong, that help us see a better way, believe that we can and will find a way to thrive. We are the good times, the bad times, the survival times, the beginnings and the endings all in one.

Our
History

Voices From The Earth, Inc. is a theater arts organization based in Thomas, WV that has been serving the community since 1991. Our touring programs offer performances, lectures, workshops and retreats in storytelling and the performing arts.

Our
Mission

To heighten community awareness and educate the general public to the performing arts through the development, support, and production of musical, theatrical, and dance performances: to encourage interest in and give voice to the history, tradition, language and movement of the greater community through the performing arts; and to collaborate with and train artists and other community members in writing, directing, staging and performing. Our mission is to collect, frame, and preserve American, particularly African American History through its culture and artistic expression, and to keep alive those voices in danger of being lost.

Testimonials

What Audiences Are Saying

Bringing History to Life

The performance engaged the audience in the historical context of the times. Each character brought to life the qualities and challenges that marked the ongoing struggle for equality. I found the question/answer session after the performance to be just as interesting as the performance itself.

LeeAnn Brown
Director of Community Engagement
West Virginia Wesleyan College

More Than Acting

I felt like I was talking to the actual people, not just an actor. I felt the spiritual connection the performers had made with the character they were portraying.

Cynthia Carr

Heart and Power

Thanks for coming to our school. You were so convincing, I believed you were Harriet Tubman and you taught us in a fun way. I wish teachers taught like that. You could become a teacher if you wanted. You would be a great one.

Damon Triplett
Seventh Grade English Class Barrackville Middle School

Captivating

This was a wonderful program! Our five-year-old kindergartners were on the front row and they were completely engaged during the entire presentation! Truly, an amazing way to experience history. Thank you VFTE!

Dr. Sara Stankus
Principal
Union Elementary School

Bringing History to Life

Ilene is an outstanding performer. She really knew how to appeal to Kuwaitis’ passion for poetry and story-telling, while making a strong pitch for acceptance of diversity. Several Kuwaiti cultural impresarios who saw the program have asked us whether we could bring her back again, or whether they could contact her directly to invite her themselves. We recommend Ilene Evans most highly.

John Berry
United States Embassy
Kuwait

Relearning History

Excellent scholarly work and well performed- thoroughly enjoyed the songs, too. I enjoy theater and am relearning history…Thank You!

Elizabeth Smith