NO SHOW IN JANUARY
We hope to return in February. Please check back for details.
Proof of vaccination required.
Please see below for full safety precautions.
Over the last 10+ years, we have provided the space for OVER 700 people from every walk of life and experience level to share their true personal stories with packed houses of attentive listeners. Each show is an unpredictable mix of the hilarious and the heartbreaking featuring memorable tales from your friends, neighbors, and fellow Chicagoans.
Come hear what people are saying, then get involved. |
Third Wednesday of Every Month at our temporary new home Ravenswood UCC 2050 W Pensacola Ave. North Center, Chicago 7:30 PM (doors at 7:00) FREE! New Voices Telling New Stories
Join us for an intimate evening of storytelling in the cozy back room of one of Chicago's best pubs. Each month, an entirely different lineup of up-and-coming storytellers will share their stories. Hosted by Scott Whitehair.
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SAFETY PROTOCOL FOR OUR TEMPORARY HOME
- Proof of vaccination will be required for entry. Paper or a picture on your phone will be fine.
- Ravenswood UCC is a huge venue, seating 400+ in regular times. We will spread out to maintain lots of spacing.
- Proper masks will be required at all times (No gaiters or bandanas please.)
- Hand sanitizer and wipes will be available for all.
- Unmasked performers will be at least 20 feet away from audience while speaking.
- Mic and stands will be sanitized between performers.
- If you feel sick or symptomatic at all, or have a known exposure, we expect you to stay home!
DECEMBER CAST
Jennifer Munro *Special Guest*
When out of town professionals happen to be visiting during Story Lab, we often add them to the lineup as a special treat!
The recipient of the National Storytelling Network’s prestigious Circle of Excellence Award, Jennifer Munro tells witty, original stories that celebrate the frailty and courage of the human condition. She has produced three Storytelling World award-winning CDs and a collection of short stories, Aunty Lily and other Delightfully Perverse Stories, which was also a Storytelling World winner. Jennifer has performed at major festivals across the nation, most notably the National Storytelling Festival, TN, and the Timpanogos Festival, UT.
The recipient of the National Storytelling Network’s prestigious Circle of Excellence Award, Jennifer Munro tells witty, original stories that celebrate the frailty and courage of the human condition. She has produced three Storytelling World award-winning CDs and a collection of short stories, Aunty Lily and other Delightfully Perverse Stories, which was also a Storytelling World winner. Jennifer has performed at major festivals across the nation, most notably the National Storytelling Festival, TN, and the Timpanogos Festival, UT.
Henry Najem *Musical Guest*
As an artist Henry Najem grew up experimenting with many different genres. He incorporates things like RnB, pop, Rock, and Alternative into his music. Some big influences of his include Hovvdy, King Krule, Steve Lacy, Nirvana, Wilco, Brad Stank and many others. Henry’s been creating music for many years and has been progressively changing and evolving his music and production. You can find Henry Najem’s music on all platforms under the names Henry Najem and Candy for Breakfast.
Merry B. Clark
I grew up in a place called Cassopolis, in the southwest corner of Michigan. It was the place where my family started an organic farm in 1980. I was somewhat sheltered growing up there, but I blasted my way out many times. I was a dance major at Michigan, I was an English teacher in Orange County, I lived in LA, and then I survived five years of taking care of my mother back in Michigan. “Survivor”: As an ovarian cancer survivor, a caregiver to my mother, and someone who survived working in both strip clubs and schools, I often wax pathetic about trying to keep swimming when the sharks are always closing in. For inspiration, I revisit the rainbow I painted at 16, on the wall of my old bedroom in the farmhouse. I wrote a couple of books - Waxing Pathetic and Stripping Down to the Bones
Kojo Dei
Kojo Dei is a Ghanaian immigrant who moved to the United States 22 years ago for school. With a Bachelors in Accounting and an MBA in Finance, Kojo worked in the corporate world for years. Moved by the inequities all around us his next stop is to be an Attorney at Law with the hope of being a voice for voiceless. Kojo recently took up running after realizing “you can get anywhere faster if you run”. An avid lover of soccer, dogs and the finest dad jokes, Kojo’s greatest accomplishment thus far is being a girl dad.
Laurel Johnson
Laurel (they/them) is a genre/binary/box-defying performer and creator who just moved to Chicago a few months ago from Philadelphia. After spending a huge amount of time and money on actor training learning how to portray other people, and building a life and career of being who other people want them to be, Laurel is now most interested in writing their own material and figuring out what it means to perform as themself. After too much time thinking “serious art” had to be “serious”, their work has moved more and more towards “comedy”. Especially after a pandemic spent almost entirely alone, they are more and more convinced that jokes and laughter may be our most valuable tools for processing our pain, embracing our flaws, bringing people together, and finding that ever-crucial and ever-elusive light at the end of the tunnel. You can learn more about them at their definitely not up-to-date website, www.laurelmargaretjohnson.com or follow them on Instagram: @LaurelMargaretJohnson
Jackson Nogahl
Jackson Nogahl is a Chicago-based writer. He fancies himself a modern day Ernest Hemingway, if Hemingway had abhorred large game hunting, had had four fewer wives, and had written using long, complex sentences. Jackson loves to make people laugh, even if they have to fake it.
Scott Whitehair (Host)
Scott Whitehair is a storyteller, teacher, and producer living in Chicago, IL. He is the producer of This Much Is True, Chicago's longest running monthly personal narrative series, creator of Story Lab Chicago, which has put 700+ new storytellers on stage since 2011, and director of Do Not Submit, a grassroots network of open mics across the city bringing people together to connect with each other. Scott tells anywhere someone will listen, including The National Storytelling Festival Exchange Place, Steppenwolf Theater, the historic Green Mill, and on NPR, the Risk podcast, and Siruis XM. He is a frequent guest instructor at the city's top universities, and his personal narrative class has been selling out every month since 2012. Scott is in demand as a coach and trainer, spending his days helping individuals, companies, and non-profits develop their voices as storytellers. In 2014, he was the featured instructor at Hong Kong Story Worthy Week, headlined by David Sedaris, and in 2015 taught an intensive at All Hallows College in Dublin.
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Tell YOUR Story
Story Lab Chicago is open to anyone wanting to share his or her story, regardless of experience or background. Click here for more details on getting started. |
Take a Class
Do you feel like you need a little more guidance and experience before taking the stage? Click here for more details. |