Step Into the Spotlight

Program notes 

They Call Me Moses takes place during a single ride on a Portland Metro tram, where Mark—a man returning from humanitarian work in Ukraine—finds himself surrounded by strangers while trying to rebuild a life that no longer fits. After the collapse of his career, relationships, and nearly a family, Mark navigates everyday encounters that gradually expose tensions of class, generation, and belonging.

As the ride unfolds, the line between present and memory begins to blur. Conversations shift, tempers flare, and the tram becomes a space where private struggles surface in public view. The strangers Mark encounters—irritating, compassionate, and unexpected—each shape the journey. They Call Me Moses is an actor-driven play about trauma, trust, and the fragile ways community forms among strangers. It asks whether healing can emerge—not in isolation—but in the imperfect company of others.