2017
September 10th, 2017 City Winery
Nestor Gomez, Storyteller
Nestor "The Boss" Gomez is a twelve-time winner of the Chicago Moth Slam and two-time winner of the Moth Grand Slam. He has also won "audience favorite" at North Side Stories and Here Chicago; and he sealed the win at the first ever Joyfest storytelling contest. Despite all his wins, Nestor will tell you that his greatest achievements are making his mother proud and wining the heart of his girlfriend, "Sweet Mel." Nestor's first ever solo show will debut in January 2017 at Fillet of Solo. For more information about Nestor, check his web site http://www.nestorgomezstoryteller.com/
Lynne Jordan, Storyteller
Lynne Jordan returns to the Story Jam stage for the fourth time. An entertainer who is both moving and funny, Lynne is currently developing her much-awaited one-person show, comprised of personal stories and songs. A Northwestern University grad, Lynne has been one of Chicago's hottest vocal divas for many years. Her event band regularly plays clubs and private parties, and she has performed to sold-out crowds on stages throughout the US and Europe.
Anne Purky, Storyteller
Anne Purky is a veteran Story Jammer. She claims she is an astronaut, a housewife, and a graduate of Northwestern University, though we only know her as one of Chicago best storytellers. She attended the MFA program in writing at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and she holds a degree in Radio, TV, and Film from Northwestern. Anne has written and performed for many shows in and around Chicago, and she is a Story Jam team member, helping to organize the events and storytelling and creativity retreats.
Archy Jamjun, Storyteller
Archy Jamjun is a popular, hilarious storyteller-writer from Chicago. He is a regularly featured teller at shows around Chicago, including Story Jam, The Stoop, This Much is True, and OUTspoken! He has won The 25th Annual Chicago's Biggest Liar Contest and The Moth Grand Slam. When not storytelling or working, you can catch him eating dessert, chasing drag queens, or just being lazy. He is also an MFA student at Roosevelt University.
Drew Love, Storyteller
Drew Love is a documentarian and stop motion animator on a journey to perfect his craft as a story artist.
Steve Glickman, Storyteller
Steve Glickman has been telling stories at weddings and funerals his whole life to wide critical acclaim. He is the co-host of the monthly open-mic storytelling show Do Not Submit at Uptown Underground in Chicago, and has performed at the Laugh Factory, the Moth, the Evanston Storytelling Festival, This Much Is True, Story Club, OUTspoken, and other shows in Chicago. Steve is a software engineer by day and a proud nerd. He loves classical music and can often be seen air-conducting whatever symphony or opera is playing on his iPod or in his head. He lives in the Uptown neighborhood of Chicago with his partner Mark and their imaginary dog Ruffles.
Erin Diamond, Storyteller
Erin Diamond is a writer and comedian. She is a frequent contributor to The Paper Machete and co-producer of the new show The Kiki a monthly queer comedy variety hour at The Laugh Factory. She is a devoted fan of the band Third Eye Blind. While Erin possesses The Trump Family Chin— or lack thereof, she is no relation.”
April 29th, 2017 Wilmette Theatre
Josh Zagoren, Storyteller
Josh Zagoren is from Iowa, schooled in Boston and has been a writer/actor in Chicago since 2006, performing in four WildClaw productions (Legion, Carmilla, The Shadow Over Innsmouth and the 2015 remount of The Revenants) as well as hosting our annual Deathscribe. On the sly, he performs every Saturday as Chad the Bird of The Paper Machete at Chicago’s Historic Green Mill Lounge. Terrified of airplanes, totally has a collection of skulls and falls asleep to The X-Files, he is very happy to be home.
Bill O’Callaghan, Storyteller
The whip-smart-witty, ultrafun, second-to-youngest of nine (plus an adopted brother), Bill O'Callaghan hails from the north side and north shore of Chicago. He is a general contractor and real estate developer who, with his wife, is raising two sons. He’s a long-suffering Sox and Bears fan who spends his spare time making inappropriate comments, playing recreational sports, and coaching his sons’ teams.
Chris Trani, Storyteller
Chris Trani is a storyteller, stand-up comedian, and documentary filmmaker. His film, “An American House," focuses on the journey of migrants to America and their stay at a halfway home in Texas. Chris has traveled the U.S. and Europe to present his stand-up comedy, movie, and humorous stories. Chris is a MOTH Winner and recently won the storytelling category for SNUBFEST 2015. His story will be featured on Audible.com and he will appear as a guest on “It’s All True” to discuss comedy, his career and more. Chances are Chris will not be running when you read this. He hates running.
Rebecca Anderson, Storyteller
Rebecca Anderson has been a farmer and gardener, a docent at a Shaker village, an ox-drover, a nanny, a stand-up comic, and now she's a minister. She owns a loom, and uses it. She runs outside year-round but won't bike into a headwind. In Chicago, Rebecca has worked with companies and events like 2nd Story, The Moth, This Much is True, and co-hosts a Do Not Submit open mic. She's a founding pastor at GileadChicago.org, a new inclusive creative church where they tell true stories that save lives, and she is the founder of EarshotStories.com.
Drew Love, Storyteller
Drew Love is a documentarian and stop motion animator on a journey to perfect his craft as a story artist.
Brenna Kearney, Storyteller
Brenna Kearney is a Chicago-based writer and editor. She grew up in a suburb of Kansas City, KS and has lived in New York, London, and other charming towns and villages throughout the UK. She performs with the hilarious storytellers of You’re Being Ridiculous and writes the blog for the Chicago League of Lady Arm Wrestlers.
March 10th, 2017 Artifact Events
Erin Diamond, Storyteller
Erin Diamond is a writer and comedian. She is a frequent contributor to The Paper Machete and co-producer of the new show The Kiki a monthly queer comedy variety hour at The Laugh Factory. She is a devoted fan of the band Third Eye Blind. While Erin possesses The Trump Family Chin— or lack thereof, she is no relation.”
Megan Wells, Storyteller
Megan Wells is a bridge teller – one foot in the new movement of personal telling and the other foot in the traditional model. She has been a full-time professional touring storyteller for 25 years, and has been recently named an Oracle by the National Storytelling Network, inducting her into America’s Circle of Excellence in Storytelling. So, all that really means, is she knows a lot of folk stories, epic stories, world myth and historical stories and she tells them anywhere, everywhere and a lot. ON THE OTHER FOOT, Megan is a passionate supporter of this exciting new movement of personal narrative and thrives on its intimacy, heart and edge. I guess you could say she’s some kind of story fanatic. Except without guns. There is a theater passion too, and a bio for that, but you can see that at www.meganwells.com.
Nina Uziel-Miller, Storyteller
Nina Uziel-Miller is a seasoned psychologist and an aspiring writer. She earned both her bachelor’s degree in theatre and her doctorate in clinical psychology from Northwestern University, where she is currently an assistant professor of Clinical Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. Nina is delighted to be returning to the stage after a twenty-plus year hiatus; she recently made her storytelling debut at Evanston Live. Her essays can be found at https://www.litro.co.uk/ and https:/www.thesmartset.com.
Don Hall, Storyteller
Don Hall is really just your average middle-aged white guy (without the raging conservative streak or need to purchase a sports car...). Formerly a theatrical producer, a public school teacher, a massage school facilities manager, professional trumpet player, former five-year host of The Moth Story Slam, and a homeless busker, he currently makes a living as the Director of Events for Chicago Public Media. He has published two books (available on Amazon) and plans to write and publish, like, 60 more. He writes daily at Literate Ape. He lives in Wicker Park with his poet/musician wife, Dana Jerman.
Jimmy Carrane, Storyteller
Jimmy Carrane started his career in comedy at The Second City and IO Chicago (then known as Improv Olympics), and The Annoyance Theater. His hit shows, “I Am 27, I Still Live at Home and Sell Office Supplies,” and “Living in Dwarf’s House,” gained Jimmy his great reputation as a solo performer. He was the host of "Studio 312" on NPR, and he has written two improv books. Jimmy is the host of the podcast "Improv Nerd" on FeralAudioand; and he teaches his award-winning Art of Slow Comedy classes and workshops in Chicago and across the country. As a corporate trainer, Jimmy has worked with Fortune 500 companies, salespeople, and ad agencies to bring the art of improv to the workplace. He may also be seen in movies and tv, including: Public Enemies, The Playboy Club, Natural Born Killers, The Untouchables, ER, Early Edition and many independent films.
Archy Jamjun, Storyteller
Archy Jamjun is a beloved storyteller and writer from Chicago. He has participated in many shows around the city including The Stoop, This Much is True, and OUTspoken! In 2014 he won The 25th Annual Chicago's Biggest Liar Contest and in 2015 he won The Moth Grandslam. When not storytelling or working, you can catch him eating dessert, chasing drag queens, or just being lazy. He is also an MFA student at Roosevelt University.
January 28TH, 2017 Wilmette Theatre
Anne Purky, Storyteller
Anne Purky is an astronaut & housewife and a graduate of Northwestern University. She also attended the MFA program in Writing at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She has performed at: "Louder Than a Mom," "Tellin' Tales," Ragdale, Mayne Stage, and others. She lives in the Enchanted Forest up North with her husband and amazing 18 year old.
Ada Cheng, Storyteller
Ada Cheng is a professor turned storyteller, improviser, and stand up comic. She is a Moth story slam winner, Bughouse Square Debates runner up, and presenter at The National Storytelling Network Conference. Her book, Standing Up: From Renegade Professor to Middle-Aged Comic, just came out in December 2016. She wants to encourage, especially midlifers, to unstuck themselves and to pursue their dream and passion. In her free time, she loves sleeping (with or without cats) and playing with cats (sleeping or not). Her motto is: Make your life the best story you tell.
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.
Mac Macdevitt, Storyteller
Mac Macdevitt is deep into exploring the wonders of the Windy City since moving from a small town in the Adirondack Mountains of New York three years ago. He has become an urban bike warrior who fixes and ships bikes with the volunteer crew at Working Bikes in Pilsen. Look for him near the lizards at the Lincoln Park Zoo where he is a volunteer educator. Mac is deeply in love with the storytelling community in Chicago. He is the co-host of Do Not Submit in Old Town and has told at Story Lab, This Much is True, TenX9, Homewood Stories and a bunch of Do Not Submit’s all over the city. He is thrilled to be back telling at Story Jam this year.
Carol Moss, Storyteller
Carol Moss is a local singer, actor and psychotherapist. She is thrilled to be back on the Wilmette Theatre stage, having performed here as a Sparkle Sister and in the "Secret Lives of Mom's" for five years. She is a veteran of stage and screen, and appeared in over 50 commercials and 70 industrial films. Currently, she is on the speaker's bureau for Abbvie and does motivational speaking as well as seeing private clients. www.carolmoss.com
Archy Jamjun, Storyteller
Archy Jamjun is a storyteller and writer from Chicago. He has participated in many shows around the city including The Stoop, This Much is True, and OUTspoken! In 2014 he won The 25th Annual Chicago's Biggest Liar Contest and in 2015 he won The Moth Grandslam. When not storytelling or working, you can catch him eating dessert, chasing drag queens, or just being lazy. He is also an MFA student at Roosevelt University.