Story Lab Chicago - Chicago Storytelling By Fresh New Storytellers
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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.

​3rd Thursday of
Every Month


Mrs. Murphy & Sons
Irish Bistro 


 3905 N Lincoln Ave., 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.    ​


We will be following all current health and safety guidelines. At this time, vaccination status will not be checked and masks are not required, but welcomed. This will be updated if the situation changes.

February 16 Cast 

Tim Mills Groninger

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Tim Mills-Groninger is a retired consultant to nonprofits where he worked with a range of human service, arts, and education agencies. Prior to settling in Chicago he has lived in Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Florida, and Indiana and insists that he has no accent. He enjoys cycling, yoga, and tennis and is struggling with a pickleball addiction. With his partner Carolyn and their dog Ziggy he enjoys traveling and Ziggy is especially fond of road trips that involve BBQ in motel rooms and pork ribs in the bathroom.


Katerie Prior

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Katerie Prior is a classic underachieving overachiever. She is a corporate trainer and instructional designer who teaches cybersecurity basics by day, a wannabe novelist by night, and a watercolor artist on the weekends. A Michigan native, Kate has recently celebrated her one-year anniversary of living in Chicago and she enjoys exploring the many cool neighborhoods in her new hometown.


Diane Roman

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Diane Roman has lived on Chicago’s far north side for more than 32 years when she got married at the young age of 26. A communications professional by day, Diane has always enjoyed writing and wanted to try her hand at live storytelling. In 2018, when her 28-yr marriage imploded, Diane started writing a book as she embarked on a mid-life journey of separation, Zoom divorce, dating, and discovery all while COVID-19 raged. She shares the characters she’s encountered and her experiences in creating a joyful new life with honesty, humor, empathy, and insight. Her two rescue dogs seem to enjoy her stories, and Diane hopes you will, too. You can’t make this stuff up!


Alex Stenner

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Alex Stenner is originally from Connecticut - since 2016 he has called Chicago home. He has had a meandering path of shifting, exciting, serious endeavours - from teaching kids how to garden and cook in Americorps with Foodcorps, to service industry jobs ranging from casual to fine dining, to bike courier work, even a few years as a farmer here in Chicago, a brief stint as small dog walking business owner, and for the past 4 years a member of IBEW Local 134 as an electrician. Just having turned 30, Alex is gratefully feeling Saturn's Return cooling off after a very tumultuous 29th year in life.  Having fun, you can find Alex going to therapy, attending ska and punk shows, swing dancing, riding bikes, and cooking with those he loves and calls friend


Michelle Young

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Michelle Young grew up in central Illinois and has lived in Chicago over 30 years. By day she manages a global sales team in hospitality software, by night she writes (stories and comedy). A self-taught artist, Michelle also tells stories through her art. She started telling stories on stage, with “Is This a Thing” right before Covid but has been telling her stories to anyone who would listen for a very long time. Michelle believes that telling our stories, is essential to creating community with others and transformation for ourselves.


Scott Whitehair (Host)

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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.