As the year winds down and December invites us into reflection, celebration and a sense of completion, there’s something deeply fitting about gathering to share stories. Stories help us mark endings, honor transitions and step forward with intention — and few organizations do this better than The Moth.
For Janel Schermerhorn, storytelling has long been a way to connect people across places, cultures and life chapters. A two-time Moth Story Slam winner and longtime participant in The Moth’s workshops, Schermerhorn has experienced firsthand how standing up to tell a true story can be both grounding and transformative.
On December 31, 2025, The Moth brings its special end-of-year show, “That’s a Wrap!”, to Burlington, Vermont. Held at Burlington City Arts (Unitarian Universalist) on Pearl Street, the show opens its doors at 4:00 PM, with stories beginning right on the hour. The theme encourages storytellers to reflect on moments of closure — whether it’s leaving behind a long-held identity, finishing a chapter that once felt endless, or recognizing the instant when it became clear it was time to move on.
These are the kinds of stories that resonate deeply with two-time Moth Story Slam winner Janel Schermerhorn’s own storytelling journey: honest, personal narratives that sit at the intersection of humor, vulnerability and clarity.
Storytelling as Community Practice
For Janel Schermerhorn, The Moth has always been about more than performance. It’s about listening, witnessing and creating space for voices that might otherwise go unheard. As an American who has spent many years building community abroad — and as a mother, leader and writer — she understands the power of shared stories to make people feel less alone.
The Burlington event also launches Story & Song, an extended evening that weaves storytelling together with live music, communal singing and immersive visuals. The combination of spoken word, songwriters and artful lighting creates a layered experience — one that gently carries audiences out of one year and into the next.
As 2025 comes to a close, “That’s a Wrap!” offers a chance to pause, listen and mark the moment together — one story at a time.
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