SHINE presented more than 500 inspiring true stories from 2012 through 2019.
Twenty favorites from 2016 were nominated for that year's "The Best of SHINE." You can watch videos of all the nominees below.
Eight winners were selected by audience vote to share their stories at "The Best of SHINE" on February 19, 2017 at the Santa Monica Playhouse.
Thanks to everyone who has presented inspiring true stories at SHINE over the years!
- VICTORIA GORING - "When It Rains" (March)
- Victoria tells of the long, rainy drive in a leaky RV that got her just where she needed to go.
- KIRSTEN WASSON - "When it Rains" (March)
- Kirsten tells how her son's celebration of "manhood" turned out to be not about his independence, but about his desperate need for help.
- CHRISTIAN WRIGHT - "When It Rains" (March)
- A series of unfortunate events leaves Christian sleeping in his car, temporarily homeless–until his life is changed by a surprising sight at the beach.
- HILARY DARLING - "Taking a Chance" (April)
- As a carefree young woman, Hilary takes a chance on a troubled boy and makes an unexpected discovery.
- ANDREA SCHELL- "Taking a Chance" (Aprli)
- Andrea shares a story from her solo show Sexy Maus about how a wild sexual adventure in Europe changed her.
- OSCAR SAGASTUME - "Surprise!" (May)
- When Oscar and his friends are mugged in a dark alley, he surprises everyone with his unexpected reaction.
- ELIYAHU ABRAMSON - "Influential Person" (June)
- A surprise encounter with O.J. Simpson behind bars changes the course of Eliyahu's life.
- LEN WECHSLER - "Influential Person" (June)
- Len's special bond with his family's childhood maid changes his life when he meets her again years later.
- CASSANDRA CHRISTENSEN - "Crossroads" (June)
- A chance meeting with Mother Teresa in a Miami airport changes the course of Cassandra's life.
- TERRIE SILVERMAN - "Music" (August)
- Terrie tells about her wild and hilarious teen crush on the Beatles and Paul McCartney–and the meaning she discovered years later.
- DELIA CABRAL - "The Power of Art" (September)
- Delia overcomes the shattering of her "white picket fence" dreams–to go on a wild adventure and become an international art dealer.
- HANNAH COX - "The Power of Art" (September)
- After a shocking loss, Hannah finds surprising solace and purpose at the beach.
- MIKE BONIFER - "Believe It or Not!" (October)
- A mysterious person–not on his flight–gives Mike advice that saves his life when his plane encounters bad weather.
- DEANA BARONE - "Family" (November)
- Deana reveals the biggest secret of her life (she's pregnant!) to her parents–with surprising results.
- SARAH KELLY - "Family" (November)
- When Sarah's family gathers to give her ailing father a "perfect" last Christmas, everything goes to sh*#@t!
- CHRISTOPHER RIVAS - "Family" (November)
- Christopher recounts his crazy childhood as the son of a super in a 120-unit building–and how he became part of a unique, but cherished, kind of "family."
- BARBARA WONG - "Family" (November)
- Barbara recounts how her Cuban mother and Chinese father had a 15-year standoff over one particular dish! And how this "food fight" shaped her worldview.
- HARDY KEITH EDWARDS - "Soul Food" (December)
- Hardy shares how the special "pepper grease" and love in his mom's cooking helped him overcome despair and lead a bold and triumphant life.
- RON GEREN - "Soul Food" (December)
- Ron shares how favorite childhood dish–his mom's tuna casserole–led to the most important change ever in their relationship.
- ROXANA ORTEGA - "Soul Food" (December)
- Roxana shares how her grueling climb up Mt. Kilimanjaro led to finding much more than she bargained for.