Over the last 11+ years, we have provided the space for OVER 750 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.
|
SPECIAL EVENT IN APRIL
Our hybrid retreat/conference/house party returns this year for another weekend of connection and community right here in Chicago. This radically affordable and inclusive event skips the pretension and focuses on the fun. No experience necessary, and all are welcome. Click here for more details! |
March 21st Cast
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.
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.
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. |