Oscar Cásares, an acclaimed novelist from the Rio Grande Valley, wanted to tell his 10-year-old daughter, Elena, about his experience of growing up on the Texas-Mexico border. To tell her this story, Cásares and photographer Joel Salcido traveled the length of the Rio Grande, from El Paso and Juarez to Brownsville and Matamoros, to share his roots and the subtle and profound details of those who live there.

Originally appearing as an essay in Texas Monthly, these postcards and the human stories they reveal come to life in a new stage production with music composed and performed by singer-songwriter Carrie Rodriguez along with her 5-piece band. Narrated by Cásares, the performance includes Salcido’s stirring images and documentary footage by Luke Jacobs that immerse the audience in the life and culture of the Texas-Mexico border. Collectively, these talented artists use their diverse talents to showcase the often-overlooked stories of generations of families at the edge of our country. This is the story of the border more people need to hear.