April 2024
Laura Garcia
Laura is a new story teller but has sold quite a few girl scout cookies if needed. She recently shifted from the work-a-holic life to "live it up and enjoy just for the hell of it" one... and is enjoying each day as if it's the last. Exciting trips, relaxing beaches, and intimidating speeches.... :)
Ivy Glennon
I don”t use the “Dr.” much but as a lifelong procrastinator, the fact that I actually finished my PhD mattered to me. A lot. I told myself if I finished this, it would atone for the Famous Artists Course my financially strapped single Mother paid for that I never finished in High School. For the piano lessons I dropped at 15. For the tap lessons my Mom pulled me out of at six because I was not disciplined enough. More contemporaneously, it would justify choosing to leave my first career and latest job as a TV reporter—and my first husband who was not a fan of that choice. Yup, last of my class to get my degree (besides the half dozen or so who gave up and veered elsewhere), but hey I finished. That, for me, led to a better career (30 years as a professor), a better husband (married 34 years now) and an early retirement that lets me take art classes and dance whenever I want (See Mom). Still don’t play the piano but I am a great audience. Meanwhile, all the inevitable kinks in the road, metaphorically and literally (a major car accident in ‘95) led me to Taiji (tai chi) and its root meditation practice: Qigong (chi kung) for rehab. Turns out taiji has side effects—more grounding, better balance physically and emotionally and a lesser tendency to beat myself up for not “finishing”. This bio is in right under the wire, by the way. Change is hard.
John Knowles
John is a corporate attorney (it is nothing like it is on TV) who grew up in the west suburbs and has lived in Chicago for the last 20 years. He enjoys going to sporting events, going to cool restaurants and bars, and binge watching prestige TV shows. Pretty much all of his public speaking has taken place in court, so he is here to be judged in a bar, instead.
Cat Roberts
My name is Cat Roberts (I use they/them pronouns). I am a mixed media artist and activist who has worked in food service since 2007. I am a spiritual agnostic who obsesses with Buddhist philosophy. I believe storytelling and community go hand in hand, in life and elsewhere. I am a horror/anime geek who enjoys vegan dining, thrifting everything, enjoys concerts, baking and volunteer work days at animal sanctuaries. And I’ve been an Incubus fan since 1999.
Laura Sabransky
Laura has the kind of hobby that is not supposed to be discussed in polite company -- which is politics. So, generally, she spends her time with other troublemakers, and hopes tonight is no exception. In her career, she works with volunteer leaders, and starts off instructional and cautionary tales with the line "let me tell you a story..."
Lillian Nantucket Shoji
Lillian Nantucket Shoji is a Japanese-American artist who is fascinated by the throughlines of humanity. Did you know laughter is a universal language? How incredible! She has long believed that art is what nurtures our ability to witness and deeply know the joy, beauty, and heart of the world around us. She has a degree in physical theatre and frequently makes chocolate chip pancakes. Vocal vulnerability is rather scary to her, so she's excited to embark on this journey of storytelling where she can no longer hide behind her red nose or mimed walls. Embarking on journeys is a specialty of hers (yes, a Sagittarius) but for the time being she's looking forward to getting to know Chicago and its people.
March 2024
Marcia Kittler
A relatively new arrival, Marcia Kittler is excited to have joined Scott Whitehair’s robust storytelling community. Since 2019, Marcia has been an enthusiastic member of the Goodman Theatre’s GeNarrations community of personal narrative writers and performers. In January 2023, she was selected to perform in Chicago’s 26th annual Fillet of Solo Festival. During her 40-year career in technology, preparedness and compliance, Marcia was blessed to "write her way to success." As a DePaul University graduate, she is passionate about community engagement. Besides storytelling, Marcia volunteers for the Cook County Forest Preserves as an Illinois Extension Master Naturalist, and participates in meeting some needs of local underserved communities. Marcia lives on Chicago’s northwest side with her husband Tony and mischievous parrot, Kona.
Mary O'Connell
Mary O’Connell is a Chicago writer and a member of the Goodman GENarrations storytelling program. She was formerly director of communications for the Joyce Foundation and an editor at American Medical News, Center for Neighborhood Technology, and Northwestern University Press. She has worked on political campaigns, served on nonprofit boards, and currently leads a writing group at North Center Satellite Senior Center. A Chicago native and Loyola graduate, she lives in Rogers Park, and has two children, three grandchildren, and a dog, Leo.
Adam Rengstorf
Adam was born & raised in the northern suburbs of NYC, moved to Indiana for graduate school, and has been living in states that begin with the letter ‘I' since the mid-90s. He currently lives and works in northwest Indiana. During the day, he is a physics and astronomy professor and is slowly coming to terms with the fact that he may also be an administrator. His wife and daughter are both way cooler than he is, but most days he’s at least cooler than their dog. He recently began telling stories in public on purpose.
Rick Rosenthal
Rick recently completed the rare reverse-commute of moving to Chicago from Los Angeles, and he’s never been happier! Rick is an avid world traveler, loyal sports fan, concert goer, and explorer of Chicago’s amazing food scene. He loves walking his dog along the lake with his girlfriend and visiting his daughter at college in Madison. When he’s not performing his day-to-day job tasks, he’s fantasizing about going to culinary school, becoming a food and travel blogger, and writing screenplays. But, that is a story for another time.
Alan Steiner
A native of Toronto, Canada, Alan has been in Chicago since 1986. He is a freelance Double Bassist, piano technician and private bass teacher. Alan is a graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music, former member of the Jerusalem Symphony, L’Orchestre Symphonique de Quebec, Canadian Opera Co. and a bunch of other stuff (clearly can’t keep a job). He can be found now and then presenting his “musical conversation”, TOUCH BASS WITH ALAN to whoever will listen.
Elena Vazquez
Elena Vazquez is a singer/songwriter and tech industry veteran living in Chicago with her partner Ben and their 3 cats. Originally from New York, Chicago has been her home for 19 of the last 25 years. She has been performing for over 20 years, more recently releasing solo musical projects independently. Her latest project, “I Used to be Fun” is a sardonic romp through the joys and compromises of middle age.
February 2024
Tres Dillon
Tres Dillon has performed in all manners of production from improv to sketch to burlesque. Her offstage contributions include comedy writing and choreography for the stage and screen. Tres is also an accomplished hair stylist with over 15 years of experience under her belt, leading her clients and friends to coin her The Hairapist. Tres realized her love of creativity, teaching, and personal growth needed a new outlet. Now in her journey of storytelling, Tres is ecstatic to share the experiences and lessons she’s learned along the way!
Sheila Hanford
Sheila is a professional violinist who recently finished a master's degree in social work and is now working in community mental health. She enjoys her family, her dog, canoeing/camping trips in the Boundary Waters of Minnesota, and being a fierce advocate for better mental health treatment. Inspired by storytelling friends, she decided to take the leap into presenting in front of an audience. She loves storytelling but has never officially been a storyteller!
Laura Jolly
Laura has been a storyteller her entire life – from keeping classmates awake during naptime in preschool with her constant chatter, to the invented stories that her teachers had to write home about, to finally learning to write and getting hand cramps from furiously writing them all down. Now Laura delights her family, friends and coworkers with stories via writing, art, videos, music, dancing, photoshop, sign language, and occasionally even verbally. This will be her first experience speaking at a storytelling event. Laura is originally from Hawaii but now lives in Chicago with her two cats, 900 books, and an explosion of color. By day she works in technical support, which she promises is a lot more exciting than it sounds (mainly due to her own creative antics).
Philip Kenner
Philip Kenner is a Chicago-based writer, educator, and administrator originally from New Rochelle, NY. Philip’s poetry and prose have been published in bookstore poets vol. 1, Let My People Cum, Colectivo Tabú, HAVOC for the Holidays, and COPY Magazine. His play, THE MALL THE MALL THE MALL, recently had a 4-week run in Chicago as one of two mainstage productions in The Once and Future Festival. Philip loves to throw us in the mud of our collective shame so that we can have a good, filthy laugh. For more of his work, check out philkenner.com. Photo by Grace Barry.
Oleg Shilkrut
Oleg is a traveler, photographer, and an aspiring writer, exploring his experiences as an immigrant as well travel adventures in his writing. He is recently married, and lives in Chicago with his wife and their new pup Leon.
Tiff Wright
I am a recovering evangelical, Pentecostal pastor's daughter and professional mediator using my middle child super power to help people talk through their conflicts like adults. I am also a survivor of domestic violence, a visual artist and vocalist. I've been a Chicago area resident for 38.75 of my 39 years. Every winter, I swear I will move away from this hellish cold for good, and every summer I am again seduced by our beautiful city's many charms. I am honored and delighted to share my stories.
January 2024
Maggie Cain
MAGGIE CAIN has been an actor for a long time and a storyteller for a short time. She has also been short for a long time. She has performed at many theatres around Chicago like Steep, Griffin, The Factory, Mary-Arrchie, Broken Nose, City Lit and Raven, and has pretended to be everyone from Anne Frank to Amanda Wingfield to Mrs. Claus. You may have seen her on Chicago Fire, in her COVID TIME YouTube videos or in Watching Game of Thrones with Your Mom. She is now enjoying performing as herself.
Dan Cooney
Dan Cooney is a long time Chicago performer. He is an Equity actor and recorded singer-songwriter. His CD Islands in the Desert is available on Apple I-Tunes and Spotify. Dan studied with Del Close (a GREAT Storyteller) at Second City. He is a lifelong Chicago resident (reflected in his tales) and hopes to find friendly stages ad infinitum…..
Annie Gibson
Despite being just shy of 30 years old, Annie Gibson has led a myriad of lives: a decade as a competitive volleyball coach, a four-year stint as a starving art student, a two-year tenure as a disgruntled bartender, followed by three years as a motion graphics artist for STARZ. Now, Annie is currently trying her hand as a storyteller. She is a Chicago transplant of 3 years, trading Colorado mountains for hot dogs and rats. She is a devoted single mother to a dog with a fetch addiction, and these days you'll find Annie working as an Art Director, playing on her Kindle, striving to connect with others through her stories, doodling occasionally, and man-handling her camera.
Colleen Harper
Colleen has spent her life perpetually in 2 worlds: Ireland and the USA, theater and healthcare. She grew up during the Troubles in Northern Ireland, practiced as a physiotherapist in Belfast and also worked in local theaters when there weren’t bomb scares. She came to the US in 1984, practiced physical therapy and also worked in Irish theater as well as Improv. She was about to head back to Ireland when she met her husband, Brian. With the birth of her son Sam, the theater work went on the back burner for 30 years. But now that he’s fully launched, and she has retired from healthcare, she is delighted to have found Scott and Storytelling.
Claudia Maru
Claudia Maru is very happy to be part of Story Lab. A vegetarian with a huge affinity for all animals (particularly very tiny chihuahuas), she spent most of her adult life to this point working for the man in healthcare research. She discovered the power of storytelling just this past summer and was instantly hooked. She'd like you to tell her your story sometime!
Joel Simon
Joel Simon’s family thinks his stories are too long and complicated- hopefully not all of you will agree. Most of what he says is mostly true - at least as he remembers it. He wasn’t born or raised in Chicago but is a pretty decent Chicagoan nonetheless despite not giving a damn about sports. He doesn’t get upset if you put ketchup on a hot dog - only if you try to call it a Chicago dog after having done so. He had long curly hair as a young adult, and then again during COVID, cutting it short again in the summer of 2023. In 2022he visited his 50th state - Delaware. His favorite cookie type recently changed from oatmeal raisin to ginger molasses. He plays several instruments - the mandolin most competently . Professionally, he studies regional economies to help schools and job training programs prepare underrepresented populations for good jobs and careers. He lives just a few minutes walk from Story Lab’s cozy venue.