2015
NOVEMBER 7th, 2015
Wilmette Theatre
Lisa Holmes, Storyteller
Lisa Holmes is a creative soul, a creative director, and the author of a new novel for young adults. She has also written plays, and was the winner of the 2013 Citizen’s Play Festival for her new play-in-development, "Transients Welcome." Her stories can be found on her blog whimsycity.com.
Lily Be, Storyteller
Lily Be is a momma, a nanny, activist, and storyteller who was born and raised in Chicago's Humboldt Park neighborhood. Lily is the first Latina Moth GrandSLAM champion, WNEP Maelstrom improvised storytelling champ, and host/producer of The Stoop at Rosa’s Lounge. Her stories are featured on the RISK podcast, WBEZ Nerdette podcast, WBEZ presents Shannon Cason's Homemade Stories podcast and The Moth Radio Hour to name a few.
Arlene Malinowski, Storyteller
Arlene Malinowski is a rare, multi-talent. As a playwright/actor, Arlene's award winning solo shows have toured in NY, Chicago, LA, and internationally. In addition to her TV and film work—some of it good, most of it bad—she has performed on dozens of plays. Arlene loads up each personal tale with depth, heart, smarts, and profound humor. She teaches writing in Chicago and Los Angeles; and she is the only actor to have appeared in Shakespeare AND Doogie Howser in the same 24 hours. Find out more at: Arlene Malinowski.
Nestor Gomez, Storyteller
Nestor "The Boss" Gomez was born in Guatemala and has called Chicago his home for the last 25 years. He is a salsa dancer, self taught poet, t-shirt designer (who works during the day at S&C Electric), and he drives Uber and Lyft on weekends. As a child, Nestor stuttered, but a little over a year ago, he placed second at the July 2015 Moth Grand Slam. If you ask him about his mayor accomplishments, he will tell you about his kids, winning the heart of his girlfriend Melissa Pavlik ("Sweet Mel") and making his mother proud. Nestor hosts Do Not Submit in Pilsen, and he is an active member of the Stoop Collective.
Paul Traynor, Storyteller
Paul Traynor is a Story Jam fave. He most recently appeared in the comedy “The Art of Motivation” at Stage 773 in Chicago, and in his own web series entitled "Turner." As a corporate speaker, he’s done presentations for dozens of Fortune 500 companies throughout North America and Europe. As a filmmaker, he's produced videos for hospitals, law firms, churches and non-profits. Paul wrote & directed the feature film "Witches' Night," and is currently working on several original projects. He lives in Wilmette with his beautiful wife, Lindley, and his five above-average children.
7.2.15 at The Wilmette Theatre
Lynne Jordan, Storyteller
Lynne Jordan is Chicago's unstoppable DIVA who joins us again after wowing audiences in February this year. She is a skilled songstress and a riveting performer who masterfully moves and inspires her audience. She is currently developing her much-awaited first SOLO SHOW, with stories and songs, and will share a bit of both with us tonight!
Julie Ganey, Storyteller
Julie Ganey is a Chicago actor, writer, and teacher. As a performer, she has worked with the Goodman Theatre, Victory Gardens, Northlight, Shattered Globe, and Drury Lane Theatre, among others. Her original solo shows, The Half-Life of Magic and Love Thy Neighbor...till it hurts have been produced by Fillet of Solo, Next Theatre, 16th Street Theatre, and the side project theatre. Julie is a company member at 2nd Story, and her work has been featured on WBEZ. In addition, Julie is a teaching artist at Lifeline Theatre and the Goodman, and is particularly proud of her work with students of all ages.
Paul Traynor, Storyteller
Paul Traynor made his Story Jam debut in February, and most recently appeared in the new comedy “The Art of Motivation”, at Stage 773 in Chicago. As a corporate speaker, he’s done presentations for dozens of Fortune 500 companies throughout North America and Europe. As a filmmaker, he's produced videos for hospitals, law firms, churches and non-profits. Paul wrote & directed the feature film "Witches' Night," and is currently working on a new web series entitled "Turner." He lives in Wilmette with his beautiful wife, Lindley, and his five above-average children.
Laurie Empen, Storyteller
Laurie Empen is a Chicago-based actress, musician and early childhood development specialist. Having recently dipped her toes back in the ‘stage waters’, she is happy to be part of Story Jam. You can find her teaching/guiding young children and their parents/caregivers at Ms. Laurie’s Play Group – www.mslauries.org- an award winning program she created during her studies towards a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Development from Erikson Institute, and caring for many children as a childcare provider, when her schedule allows.
Lily Be, Storyteller
Lily Be is a momma, a nanny, activist, and storyteller who was born and raised in Chicago's Humboldt Park neighborhood. Lily is the first Latina Moth GrandSLAM champion, WNEP Maelstrom improvised storytelling champ, and host/producer of The Stoop at Rosa’s Lounge. Her stories are featured on the RISK podcast, WBEZ Nerdette podcast, WBEZ presents Shannon Cason's Homemade Stories podcast, and The Moth Radio Hour, to name a few.
Stephanie Rogers, Singer/Songwriter/
Producer
Stephanie Rogers is a musician, actor, bandleader and live-lit lover who is pursuing a Master's in Written Communications at National Louis University in Chicago. She received her undergraduate degree in Theatre from Northwestern University and has since been seen and heard on tv, stages, films, websites and in clubs, bars and hotels. Her own website features three original cds released on her label, Hipchick Records, and contains information about her supercool event band.
2.21.15 at The Wilmette Theatre
Lily Be, Storyteller
Lily Be is a momma, a nanny, activist, and storyteller who was born and raised in Chicago's Humboldt Park neighborhood. Lily is the first Latina Moth GrandSLAM champion, WNEP Maelstrom improvised storytelling champ, and host/producer of The Stoop at Rosa’s Lounge. Her stories are featured on the RISK podcast, WBEZ Nerdette podcast, WBEZ presents Shannon Cason's Homemade Stories podcast and The Moth Radio Hour to name a few.
Paul Traynor, Storyteller
Paul Traynor is a devilishly handsome and hilarious actor, writer, film-maker and spokesperson. As a corporate speaker, Paul has done presentations for dozens of Fortune 500 companies throughout North America and Europe. As a filmmaker, he's produced videos for hospitals, law firms, churches and non-profits. Paul wrote & directed the feature film "Witches' Night", and is currently working on a new web series entitled "Turner". He lives in Wilmette with his beautiful wife, Lindley, his five endearing and above-average children, and his nippy new puppy, Arrow. Paul is deeply honored that his talented friend and neighbor, Stephanie, is writing a song about him.
Peggy Ward, Storyteller
Many of you will remember Peggy Ward’s hit show MAMAPHOBIA, about her hilarious take on motherhood. A consummate entertainer, Peggy is everyone's funniest friend, especially when you follow her around on errands. Also a riot in the theatre, Peggy graces our Wilmette stage all the way from her home in Glenview, where she finds daily, riveting humor in her three kids, husband and dog, Mulligan.
Doug Reed, Storyteller
Doug Reed (aka “BaronVonReed”) is a truly compelling, brainy-witty storyteller, as well as an actor, award-winning playwright, novelist, and former sportswriter. His work appears regularly in Madison-area theaters, most notably at: Broom Street; The Bartell; and The Stoughton Opera House. He has astonished audiences in Chicago and Milwaukee, New York, and Los Angeles. Check him out at: BaronvonReed
Stephanie Rogers, Singer/Songwriter/
Producer
Stephanie Rogers is a musician, actor, bandleader and live-lit lover who is pursuing a Master's in Written Communications at National Louis University in Chicago. She received her undergraduate degree from Theatre at Northwestern University and has since been seen and heard on tv, stages, films, websites and in clubs, bars and hotels. Her own website features three original cds released on her label, Hipchick Records, and contains information about her supercool event band.