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.
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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.
December 15th Cast
Padraic Connelly
Padraic Connelly is a Florida native who settled in Chicago after tiring of predictable weather and fresh produce. Padraic has been a cruise ship entertainer, improviser, actor, writer, barista, Artistic Director, teacher, med school departmental aide, trivia show host, trivia show runner-up, mail sorter, dancing empanada, podcast host, podcast guest, unconvincing celebrity impersonator, and stage manager. Still, he has the least interesting bio of anyone in his family.
Scott Green
Scott was born and raised in the Chicago Area and never left. Neither did his siblings. His family does not stray. Scott has been a floor trader, dotcom entrepreneur, accounting business development director, marketing manager, headhunter and landlord. All with mediocre results. He has been called very quirky and neurotic. However a Professional (i.e., therapist) declared that everything wrong with Scott is at least fixable! Early deaths of those dear to him and Scott’s own multiple near death experiences propel Scott to be heard. And that he did not get enough parental attention growing up only adds to his desire to stand up and share a small sliver of his life in story form…now.
Kimberly Basso Guerentz
Kimberly Basso Guerentz is a glammy tomboy who isn’t afraid to get her faux fur dirty, She resides on the Right Side of Crazy (most days), living a fractured fairy tale. Kimberly balances a day job in public education, parenting, and her dreams better some days than others. Kimberly scaled divorce, death of a lover, and strangling stress wielding a flare marker and a yoga mat. Kimberly believes so wholeheartedly in the power of the written word and mindfulness that she co-founded Warriors in the Wild - a mindful event company - that creates opportunities for self-care and stress management through the integration of mindfulness, social connection, and nature. Kimberly’s a wandering spirit who loves to travel, meet others from all walks of life, and collect stories. Kimberly writes a monthly blog on the Everyday Warriors she meets in unlikely spaces who humbly make the world a better place, and strives for the day when she navigates uncharted territories in a cheetah trimmed camper.
Beth Knobbe
Beth Knobbe has called Chicago “home” for over 25 years. A farm girl at heart, she grew up in Nebraska, and loves rhubarb, ice cream, and fireworks on the 4th of July. Beth is a published author who writes about spirituality and the single life. Her full-time gig keeps her on the road as a training advisor for a global humanitarian aid agency. She’s inspired by her dad, who tells the same story about their late Uncle Hermie, every year around the holiday dinner table – and it still makes her laugh.
Deidra Miles
Deidra is an east coast native, Temple U. graduate, and lover of WaWa and Cheesesteaks. In her spare time, you can see her being dragged through her neighborhood by her 70-pound Bernese pup who was lovingly named after Sir Patrick Swayze. As you can guess, she loves cinema, but no one will ever find this "baby sitting in a corner". She moved to this Windy city the first weekend of the pandemic, and it's been quite the ride ever since. Last winter, in a courageous move she signed up to be a storyteller. SHOCKINGLY, she was chosen. The last time she has done any real public speaking was in the 10th grade state finals debate. Spoiler, she did not take home first. So buckle in folks-- she's got a story to tell.
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 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. |