View the project here: https://nottheperfectdreamer.com

Not the Perfect Dreamer was conceived and produced as Ray’s thesis project for the Media Innovation, M.A program at the University of Nevada, Reno. Throughout 2024, Ray made frequent trips to her home state,Texas, to collect interviews, experience the Texas-Mexico border first-hand, and gather observations.

At home in Reno, Ray produced podcast episodes that featured three first hand accounts from members of the immigrant community– Luis, Viv, and Sandra. They also made short animated clips illustrating different aspects of the three interviewee’s stories.

Although Ray plans to graduate in December 2024, she hopes to keep this story-telling endeavor alive and well. Ray feels especially motivated to continue listening, learning, and sharing the stories of Texan immigrants as the next four years unfold.