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 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. Hosted by Scott Whitehair.
December 19th Cast
Maryilene Blondell
A native Chicagoan~ being the only girl in the home of four alpha males. This, of course, translates into hardly ever being able to finish a sentence, let alone a story. She does not believe there was ever a time when a full sentence of hers was ever finished. She's looking forward to trying. Now, long gone from the testosterone vortex, she has migrated to the estrogen vortex with her three daughters where she fights for her life to get a word in. She schooled them with the notion of letting their 'voices be heard'- which she now, deeply regrets. When she isn't in a bloody battle to finish a sentence...with someone, she's a film producer and writer.
Colleen McLuckie
Colleen McLuckie (she/her) is a full-time healthcare data manager, part-time vet tech, and ever-proud childless cat-lady 24/7. In her spare time, she likes knitting, cooking, watching stand-up comedy and pro sports, and fighting the patriarchy. This is her first foray into storytelling in several years, having previously performed at the now-defunct About Women and Sunday Morning Stories. Upcoming projects include arguing about the NBA on Twitter (X?) and conquering sourdough. And stories, of course. There are lots and lots of stories.
Esteban Ortiz-Villacorta
Esteban Ortiz-Villacorta (he/him) was born in Mexico City before quickly picking up and moving to the United States with his family, where he has lived ever since. Raised in Seattle, Esteban grew up playing in a band, doing theatre, working in a kitchen, and procrastinating schoolwork. Today, Esteban is in his final year at Northwestern, studying Theatre and History. He plans on staying in the Chicago area upon graduation. Thank you to Rives Collins for introducing him to the art of storytelling!
Natalie Robertson
Originally from Philadelphia, and by way of Colorado and Washington, DC, Natalie has lived in Chicago for three years, and can usually be found around the neighborhood at the library, the farmer's market, Queen of Angels Catholic Church, or hosting a dinner party. She currently works in grants management in the public sector, and splits her time between spreadsheets and her never ending "to be read" list. She's studied biochemistry, history, and data analytics, but at trivia night she's the team member who can cover geography and anything related to Taylor Swift. Natalie spent many years involved in orchestras and theater and is now pursuing her love of the arts through writing and storytelling for the first time.
Ann Senn
Anna was born in Colorado and lived in LA for 10 years where she decided she'd had enough of the sunshine and moved to Chicago. She is a copywriter and enjoys creating things for your eyes and ears to enjoy.
Alison Thalhammer
Originally from Chicago, Alison has been working as an actor, writer, and storyteller in Los Angeles for the past 16 years, (but frequents her hometown often). A graduate of The Second City, she is the co-founder of the sketch group @BadSassComedy and has written/directed/produced two original sketch shows, which ran at The Second City Hollywood and iO West theatres in LA. She is currently pitching a short series and writing a creative nonfiction book. When she isn’t on stage or at her computer typing away, you can find her at the gym lifting weights, teaching her dogs dumb tricks, trying to meditate, or dancing to David Bowie. You can find her on YouTube: @alt44
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.
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. |