Featured Tellers, Main Show, Podcasts

August Recap and Walk-Up Winner!

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It’s an act of trust to curate a show without knowing what stories are going to be told. Tellers are selected carefully to be sure; we invite features we sense will tell you a good story… people who have some interesting life experience and perspective, and who also have some narrative knack or gregarious grace. My co-hosts choose walk-up tellers through a magical formula that aims for diversity (of age, gender, identity, ethnicity, perspective and experience) and that also allows a little for their intuition. And our audiences choose one feature based on their performance at the prior month’s show. The selection process overall is careful and intentional, and geared towards giving you a night of strong performances from diverse perspectives.

However, we don’t know what stories will be told. That is scary, and it is on purpose, because it allows for something to be made by all of us together that is serendipitous and surprising. We provide as sturdy a frame as possible, and then let all of you paint in the colors.

Last night’s collaborative art work was powerful. Some features were more presentational about their work than tellers usually are. I coach our storytellers to stay away from from giving TED-talk style, informative presentations, and to focus on personal narrative. I will continue to do that. But the subjects our tellers addressed last night also included elements of personal narrative and beautiful details in addition to facts. People cared deeply about what they shared, and there were times when you could have heard a pin drop in the room. In combination with very skillful, funny & moving storytelling throughout, it was a wonderful night.

One of you said kindly on your voter sheet: “Brilliance! This show is the bright light in my week! I’ve experienced a night of wonderful bravery, stunning energy, and passion’s rebirth.” Thank you, R.S… same here.

From a lineup of awesome walk-up storytellers, Kevin D’Ambrosio was your Audience Favorite, and has very kindly agreed to grace our stage again in September. Please join us on September 7th at Stage 773 for another wonderful show. Meanwhile, take a look at last night’s photos, and have a listen to the podcast (which should be up shortly!)…

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Thanks to every one of our storytellers, Esperanza Gama, Keith Ecker, Mike Holman, Rahmaan “Statik” Barnes, Lily BE, Kevin D’Ambrosio, Eileen SanFillipo, Matthew Fox, Brandon McClain and Cat Litton, for their strong work. And thanks to my gracious and gleeful co-host, Dave Jennings. It was such a pleasure to play with him. Thanks to Brandie Madrid and Mary Cait for managing the house, to Ron Abraytis for collecting your recipes and photos (keep an eye on our recipe page for NEW recipes this week!), to Matthew Williamson for his beautiful photography, to Christie Grace and Javier and Ryan for helping us set up and break down. Thanks to Theater Wit for a beautiful environment in which to hold the show, and to everyone who brought a dish or their attention to share. You all made it wonderful.

Please enjoy the rest of this summer, and join us again on September 7th.

<3

Here, Chicago
September 7th
7:30 potluck/ 8pm show
Stage 773- 1225 W. Belmont
Tickets!

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