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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May 15th Cast
Michelle Coughlin

Michelle has been singing on stage since the age of eight. And has appeared in several cabaret shows the latest at Davenport's and Atlantic Grill with Sami Scot. Her latest passion besides improv is storytelling. She has been part of the Goodman Theatre's Generations program since 2015 and has also performed at The Book Cellar on Lincoln Avenue and twice at Michele Williams Ladies Nite Productions. "My life goal has been to bring joy and laughter through entertaining" Michelle says.
Dolores Hernandez

Dolores is a passionate lifelong learner and dedicated tinkerer who finds joy in exploring new ideas and creating with her hands. As a proud neurodivergent individual, she embraces curiosity and innovation, always finding ways to tell stories with the projects she creates. When she’s not diving into her latest project, she’s a devoted dog mom, showering Hattie and Peanut with love and adventure.
Brandon Loring

Brandon Loring is a Chicagoan and Coloradan, with long and fond ties to both places. Brandon and his wife-and-partner, Stephanie - a Story Lab alum, herself! - live in Chicago with their Westie dog, Snacks. You can usually find him with Steph, Snacks, friends, and family, avoiding work and enjoying the many fine beverages, festivals, and comestibles offered by this great city. Oxford commas forever.
Stephanie Lucas

Stephanie Lucas, by profession, is a speech language pathologist who works with toddlers and their families. As a person, she is a mom, wife, sister, daughter, friend and Midwesterner. She has an inner child and inner 80-year-old, who are consulted frequently. This may explain both her wide variety of interests and half finished projects. While she has not had official "storytelling" experience, she comes from a line of people who are good at making short stories long when in social settings. She loves hearing the stories and experiences of others, embracing both the similarities and differences between herself and others.
Aaron Meder

Aaron lives in Glenview with his wife and two kids aged 18 and 16. Aaron had a 25 year career in investment management, culminating in his role as CEO of the second largest investment management business based here in Chicago. Aaron decided to leave his “dream” job about a year ago and transition his time and energy to purpose based work, beginning with himself. The future is open and Aaron looks forward to a journey of discovery on his second act.
Carolyn Ou

Carolyn Ou is Executive Director of the Davis Center for Leadership, where she manages a team that designs and delivers brilliant leadership programming for Chicago Booth alumni, students and the extended community. She likes to say that she’s taken a squiggly path to success, having been everything from a marketing copywriter and Dean at a design college, to Big 5 consultant, mompreneur and fiddler/keyboard player in a Chicago kids’ band. Outside of work, Carolyn seems to work even more, taking on a small number of passion projects with leaders and teams in whom she believes deeply, as well as trying to guide and support (rather than over-parent) her teenage kids whom she loves even more deeply. Recently, she's decided to take beginning guitar lessons at the Old Town School of Folk Music so that she can break free of her classical piano training and finally learn to speak in the language of chords. Maybe she'll even learn to jam. Tonight is her first live storytelling effort without notes.
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.
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. |