Al Letson

State of the Re:Union (SOTRU) is a nationally aired multi-platform public media show distributed by PRX and NPR. Created and hosted by performance poet/playwright Al Letson and funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, SOTRU's programming includes 1-hour radio podcasts (available as a free podcast), documentary webisodes and video podcasts . The show features cities and towns from all around the country, aiming to show how we are more alike than different while highlighting what makes a particular community unique. SOTRU is headquarted in Jacksonville, Florida, and has just completed its inaugural year, considered a research and development season. One pilot and three episodes were completed during the year, a strong Web presence and multimedia campaign launched and a live preview party for the Jacksonville episode took place. Plans for next year include a roster of 12 episodes, multiple Web segments including video and audio podcasts, Web articles, continued blog posts from the host and producers and an array of design contests targeted to artists in the particular area being explored in each location.