Over the last 8+ years, we have provided the space for OVER 600 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
Mrs. Murphy & Sons Irish Bistro 3905 N Lincoln Avenue 7:30 PM FREE! (Doors at 6:00. Please arrive early if you are dining.) 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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Story Lab continues on in 2021!
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17TH @ 7:00 PM CENTRAL
We are thrilled to continue our 11th year
with a whole new lineup of fresh tellers in an online event.
We are thrilled to continue our 11th year
with a whole new lineup of fresh tellers in an online event.
Our performance will take place on Zoom, and is free to attend, simply visit the link and fill out the simple form to receive log in information and further details. CLICK HERE TO RESERVE YOUR "SEAT!"
February Cast
Ethan Gomberg

My name is Ethan Gomberg and I’m 19 years old. I’m a current student at Washington University in St. Louis looking to major in communications. I love all things sports, especially the Bears, Cubs and Liverpool FC. I’m a huge comedy fan - my favorite comedians are Stephen Colbert and John Oliver. I want to be a late night host one day and even made my own comedy show on YouTube over quarantine.
Peter Kremidas

Peter Kremidas has been a writer, actor, and comedian in Chicago for 13 years. He is a graduate of The Severn Darden graduate program at The Second City, The School at Steppenwolf, and all Chicago's former improv training centers. He is a regular contributor to The Paper Machete, and has worked all over Chicago on stage and on camera. He has degrees in Acting and Philosophy from Purdue UniversityThis Spring, he will begin study at Northwestern University to pursue a masters in counseling.
Melissa Landfield

Melissa is an artist, educator, and a nonprofit administrator. She comes from a family of artists, educators, and storytellers, which is why she is all three of those things today. She is a Chicago transplant deeply in love with every Chicago season (even though they’re only two of them, broken up by 3 weeks of rain on either side), loves animals, is allergic to everything with fur, and although she works for Girl Scouts, she never was one, and does not get free cookies.
Elain O'Sullivan

Elain O’Sullivan is an artist, designer, sculpture, teacher, writer, Buddhist, and a business woman. She is also Marine, a parent, a grandparent, and a Transgender woman. Her mother was an orphan, raised by circus people and became a top Vaudeville star. My father was a machinist, carpenter, inventor, architect, and a bar tender. She has lots of stories.
Barbara Peterson

I am a native of Chicago, born and raised mostly on the South Side, but lived for 12 years in New Orleans, where I acquired a love of good food, good music and good people. I graduated from the University of AZ with a B.A. in psychology, and did some graduate work at Tulane. After realizing that a life in academia wasn't for me, I moved to the French Quarter and worked at some awesome hotels and restaurants. I still cherish my 4 year stint at K-Paul's Louisiana Kitchen where I was taught commitment, dedication and teamwork from a culinary genius -- while eating fabulous food, having an enormous amount of fun working with a talented bunch of people and meeting interesting (and sometimes famous) people from all over the world! But I missed home and came back to Chicago where I pursued a variety of different vocations among them being stock options trader, backyard nature store manager, product designer for a Chicago manufacturer of metal products, and genealogist. I was blessed to have met and married a great guy, who unfortunately died of lymphoma at way too young an age. Since 2016 I have rekindled my childhood love of performing, and have immersed myself in singing, improv, acting, voice over, and storytelling.
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.
Drink and Dine
Mrs. Murphy & Sons generously offers a $10 burger and beer special on show nights. No better way to enjoy stories than with a full stomach and a cold one in your hand. |
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. |