Over the last 13+ years, we have provided the space for OVER 850 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.
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October 17th Cast
Sam Boyer
Sam is the proud half-Irish son of two writers, and has never let a good day get in the way of an existential crisis. He is a lifelong lover of reading, martial arts, and games. He went to school for writing and hopes you can tell (but not too obviously) when you hear his story.
Emily Calvo
Emily Thornton Calvo, an artist, author, and poet, was recognized by the Guild Literary Complex as one of "30 Writers to Watch." She’s performed at Loyola University, Women and Children First, and the Art Institute of Chicago through the Poetry Foundation. Her poems have appeared in print and online journals. Lending Color to the Otherwise Absurd, her first book of poems was released with a grant from Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. As a visual artist she often includes her poems in her paintings. She's currently working on a memoir about her dad who was a gay Chicago artist who taped 23 years of his life on cassette tapes.
Sue Garvey
Sue moved back to the city in 2012 when all three of her children fled the nest. She lives in Buena Park - technically the southern part of Uptown, which her son has christened S’up Town. Shortly after moving to the city, she attended a storytelling event at Hopleaf and was transformed into a huge fan. Three things make her happy after all these years, the first cup of coffee in the morning (48 years), peanut butter (66 years?) and going to sleep (since the day she was born). Her latest source of happiness, not surprisingly, is the adjustable bed she bought in March. She just retired at the end of May and is working hard on adapting to her new life. Having already blown through all 11 seasons of Vanderpump Rules, she is looking for something new to fill her time and is open to suggestions. If things go well tonight, storytelling might just become her new thing.
Michelle Kaczor
Michelle is really getting bent out of shape and putting so much pressure on herself about getting this bio “right”. Thankfully, she’s able to laugh at herself and how seriously she is taking this. Michelle loves prayer and Jesus and is always trying to find what to be grateful for in her stories and life, no matter the circumstances. One of her heroes is Fred Rogers, not only because he is helping her re-parent herself with love and kindness, but also because he understood the responsibility of his influence and “preached the gospel” without having to mention God. And that’s what Michelle wants to do too. Michelle wants to “make goodness attractive”, and desperately clings to the belief of the inherent worth of every person. Michelle, a former Elginite, lives in Portage park, is the daughter of Polish immigrants, speaks fluent Polish, and hopes to one day dazzle and catch the eye of her future husband while sharing her heart on stage. Additionally a poet, actor, puppeteer, and singer, she feels so grateful to have found storytelling at this time in her life.
Ted Karavidas
Ted began his career as a trial lawyer for the City of Chicago, defending police officers, paramedics, and other City employees in personal injury and civil rights claims. He then accepted a position from the Illinois Attorney General to serve as a trial lawyer defending state officials in cases, both simple and complex, in state and federal courts throughout the State. Since leaving government practice, he has represented both plaintiffs and defendants in civil litigation matters in Illinois as well as in other states. In addition to decades of presenting closing arguments to juries, Ted has been an adjunct law school instructor and invited lecturer in multiple states. Over the last several months, he has both observed and engaged in storytelling at different venues and also appeared as a new comedian at Zanies in Rosemont.
Lisa Parr
After teaching studio art and art history in high school and colleges, Lisa Parr opened and still runs her business internationally restoring Historic Landmark antique carousels, speaking and writing articles on them and her specialty of original paint. Additional application of her skills is for legal work, court verifying and identifying carousel figures for insurance, damage, and theft for private collectors, as well as appraisals for museums, art dealers, and auctions. In connection with carousel art, Lisa pursues research in early Celtic design and mythology on site in the upper isles of Scotland. Her interest in ancient and contemporary mythology has led her to research mountain storytelling, initiating more travel and recent storytelling, herself. For fun, Lisa also restores antique wood toys and sports cars, which she drives with vigor and nostalgia.
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 850+ 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. |