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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 Fresh 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.
Over the last 13+ years, we have provided the space for 900+ 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. Hosted by Scott Whitehair.
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April 17th Cast
Jeannie Kay Blaho
Jeannie Kay Blaho is presently a career coach, breaking free from the corporate world after nearly two decades in 2023. She is a Mid-Westerner, born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, but has lived in Florida and Colorado before moving to Chicago in the late 90s. Although new to storytelling herself, she started attending StoryLab well before the pandemic. She is married and loves to travel, especially in Europe and Asia. She has recently caught the bug to cruise and has cruised the Danube River, the Mediterranean, as well as the Caribbean. She grew up in the 70s and loves 70s music. She loves going to art museums and has dabbled in pastels and sculpture. She does not have any human children, but she does have an adorably cute miniature double doodle.
Paula Cofresi-Silverstein
Paula Cofresi-Silverstein is an Artist, Educator, Storyteller, and Psychotherapist in private practice. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in Fine Arts and Arts Education at Inter-American University in San German, Puerto Rico, and a Master’s Degree in Clinical Social Work at the University of Illinois. The teacher taught in experimental educational programs and helped pilot the Chicago public school’s Bilingual Program. Upon retirement she continued her work as an EMDR therapist in private practice and returned to the School of the Art Institute and Oakton College to become a full-time artist, creating a body of ceramic art and Goddess sculpture.
Steve Frederick
Steve Frederick was writing stories before he could write. No fooling! An English teacher neighbor helped his older brother write while 4-year-old Steve dictated to her. He’s a career coach who helps people find work that excites them and gets them well paid. An important part of the work is helping people to tell great stories about themselves. Steve has held many jobs. He flipped burgers at Wendy’s for three days until a micromanaging supervisor drove him to hang up his apron for good. He’s assisted with laying headstones in a cemetery; Helped pass laws as a legislative assistant in Wisconsin And revived a dying organization as the Director of the Chicago Area Committee on Occupational Safety and Health. He is also the author of three kids’ books. Steve lives in Skokie and is married to Andi, a woman who brings amazing stories to kids as the Illinois Director of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library.
Delilah Orizaba
Delilah Orizaba is a full-time therapist, a part-time standup, and an on-call storyteller. You’ve seen her perform at The Future of Comedy Festival, The Latina Comedy Festival, Laugh Factory and The Steppenwolf Theater. She’s a Scorpio sun; Capricorn Moon and Rising.
Adam Sperber
A Chicago transplant dredged from the mid-Missouri riverlands, Adam grew up immersed in storytelling stemming from his love of radio's Golden Age and on-air comedians like Jack Benny and Gracie Allen as well as the written works of Agatha Christie. Having spent time everwhere from kitchens to academic trivia companies to the Loop, Adam always has some story to talk about, known to go on for hours even after everyone else in the room has left and gone home. These days he loves biking around Chicago in search of the city's best dumplings while working as a bluegrass music teacher (and occasional data analyst).
Jessica Strauss
Jessica Strauss grew up in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, and is currently a high school special education and history teacher who teaches politics, civics, and geography in CPS. She is someone who has attempted every hobby and sport, and loves all of them! She also has a love of travel and has been to most of the states and 15 countries (and counting!) It’s about time she tried storytelling to share her life adventures.
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 900+ 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, and the historic Green Mill. 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. He is honored to be a 2024 Meier Foundation Award winner.
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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. |