2018
September 16th, 2018 @ City Winery
Paul Teodo, Storyteller
Paul Teodo is a storyteller and retired healthcare executive born and raised on Chicago’s south side. Paul recently published his first novel, "PASTAMAN." This is Paul's first appearance at Story Jam.
Lily Be, Storyteller
Lily Be is an activist, storyteller, teacher, and producer who was born and raised in Chicago's Humboldt Park neighborhood. Lily was the first Latina Moth GrandSLAM champion, and she is also a 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 at The Moth Radio Hour.
Archy Jamjun, Storyteller
Archy Jamjun is an extremely popular storyteller-writer from Chicago. He is a regularly featured teller at: Story Jam, The Stoop, This Much is True, The Moth, and OUTspoken (which he hosts every month). He has won The 25th Annual Chicago's Biggest Liar Contest and The Moth Grand Slam. Archy recently earned his MFA from Roosevelt University, and he is on staff at North Park University, teaching literature.
Jenn Sodini, Storyteller
Jenn Sodini grew up in Pittsburgh, then moved to Chicago and never looked back. Her Moth Radio Hour story has surely helped her career as an analyst for a medical consulting firm. She hosts and co-produces CHIRP Radio's The First Time storytelling and live music show, which won "Best Live Lit Event" in The Chicago Reader's 2017 Best Of poll (http://firsttime.chirpradio.org). She also co-hosts and co-produces Psychotic Break, Chicago’s premiere mental-illness-themed variety show (1st Wednesday of the month at Schubas). She loves all sorts of projects (making light fixtures, refinishing furniture, building computers, hydroponic gardening) so long as it's not the thing she's supposed to be doing.
Sarah Bunger, Storyteller
Sarah Bunger grew up in one of the smallest towns imaginable outside of Dayton, Ohio (think: flashing caution light, a gas station/Subway sandwich shop, and lots and lots of cows). Since moving to the big city ten years ago, she is adjusting to the long winters and nearly complete lack of cows. In addition to teaching English Lit and directing the Community Partnerships program at an area high school, she hosts the Truth or Lie Reading Series, an awesome live lit show every first Sunday of the month. She has been a featured teller at Solo Theatre, Story Sessions, This Much is True, You're Being Ridiculous, and WBEZ's New Year's Eve celebration. She is also a two-time Moth Grand Slam Champion and has been featured on The Moth Radio Hour and podcast.
May 20th, 2018 • City Winery
Lindsay Eanet, Storyteller
Lindsay Eanet works at a nonprofit by day and writes, edits and discreetly commandeers the jukebox at Farragut's by night. She has performed at Essay Fiesta, Is This A Thing, Story Jam, You're Being Ridiculous, and the 1999 JCC Camp Chi Talent Show.
Shannon Cason, Storyteller
The incredible Shannon Cason has told stories all over the country with The Moth, Snap Judgment, and his own popular podcast, Homemade Stories. He recently launched a new show with WBEZ Chicago called The Trouble with Shannon Cason, available on Apple Podcast. Shannon is a husband and a father, and he’s making a rare Chicago appearance with Story Jam. Here's more about Shannon.
Nestor Gomez, Storyteller
Nestor "The Boss" Gomez has won more Moth Slams and Grand Slams than anyone, ever (twenty-nine total). He has also won at North Side Stories, Here Chicago, and Joyfest. Nestor has been featured on NPR and Vocalo, and at dozens of storytelling shows in Chicago, including regular appearances at Story Jam. Nestor will tell you that his greatest achievements are making his mother proud, and winning the heart of his wife, "Sweet Mel." Last year, Nestor's first ever solo show debuted to sold out crowds. For more information about Nestor, check out his website.
Archy Jamjun, Storyteller
Archy Jamjun is an extremely popular storyteller-writer from Chicago. He is a regularly featured teller at: Story Jam, The Stoop, This Much is True, The Moth, and OUTspoken! He has won The 25th Annual Chicago's Biggest Liar Contest and The Moth Grand Slam. Archy just earned his MFA from Roosevelt University, and he is developing his much-awaited solo show with us here at Story Jam (to be presented this fall).
Arlene Malinowski, Storyteller
Arlene Malinowski s a multi-talented performer and writer. Arlene's award-winning solo shows have been produced internationally, and she has performed on stages and film sets all over the country. An extraordinary talent, Arlene infuses depth and humor into every performance. She teaches writing, and she's the only person to have appeared in Shakespeare AND Doogie Howser in the same 24 hours. Find out more at Arlene's website.
Annalise Raziq, Storyteller
Annalise Raziq has worked with renowned playwright Tony Kushner, and has also played the back end of a dragon. A singer with Americana band, “Annalise and the Backsliders,” she is a writer, storyteller, and improviser. Annalise is a three-time Moth Slam winner and has had one of her stories featured on NPR's The Moth (here). She has also told stories for Story Jam, Risk!, This Much Is True, and the Truth or Lie Reading Series. By far, her most creative act has been raising her amazing daughter Kalila Holt. More stuff about Annalise.
March 4th, 2018 • City Winery
Nestor Gomez, Storyteller
Nestor "The Boss" Gomez has won more Moth Slams and Grand Slams than anyone, ever (29). He has also won at North Side Stories, Here Chicago, and Joyfest. He has been featured on NPR and Vocalo, and at dozens of storytelling shows in Chicago, including Story Jam. Nestor will tell you that his greatest achievements are making his mother proud, and wining the heart of "Sweet Mel," his wife. Nestor's first ever solo show debuted in January 2017 to sold out crowds. For more information about Nestor, check his web site.
Corrbette Pasko, Storyteller
Corrbette Pasko is a writer, actor, singer, speed talker, and professional swearer. You can find a lot of her writing on corrbette.com (where you can also hire her for any of the above), and her face at various shows and live lit events around Chicago. She writes plays with her theater wife, Sara Sevigny, and you can buy one (The League of Awesome) on Amazon. You can also see their very stupid YouTube series, Get In the Car, and subscribe to their channel. Her parents named all three kids nine-lettered names that began with C and she was last, that's why.
Kimmy Fleishman, Storyteller
As a Second City Musical Improv conservatory graduate, Kimmy Fleishman sucks at Musical Improv. Nonetheless, Kimmy has been acting, singing, directing, and telling stories since she was born. She used to charge a penny to every one of her parent's friends, so they could watch her one-woman show. Since growing up into a real life adult, she has fallen in love with live lit & the vulnerability that comes along with it. During the week she lives that Mad Men life, even though she hates commercials interrupting her Hulu binges. And in her free time she explores and engages in new things, people, and places, because she's curious like a cat.
Jeremy Owens, Storyteller
Jeremy Owens is the creator, producer and host of the live-lit/storytelling show You're Being Ridiculous, which is part of The Steppenwolf Theatre's LookOUT series. He lives in Rogers Park with his adorable husband, Andy, and their adorabler dog Sally Field.
Lynne Jordan, Storyteller
Lynne Jordan returns to the Story Jam stage. The talented singer-performer is about to launch her much-awaited solo show, "A Great Big Diva," which features personal stories and songs. A Northwestern theatre grad, Lynne leads her own popular event band, Lynne Jordan and The Shivers, and she has performed to sold-out crowds in the US and Europe.
Josh Zagoren, Storyteller
Josh Zagoren is a voice and stage actor, and Iowan, in Chicago. You know him from that thing. No not that one, the other one. The one with the...yeah THAT one. As a writer, he's worked with STORY CLUB, GUTS AND GLORY, PLEASURETOWN, LITMASH, and a host of other Live Lit events and productions throughout the city. He's also a director and combatant with WRITE CLUB, and every Saturday at 3pm you can find him as CHAD THE BIRD at The Paper Machete (Green Mill). Or if you're lazy like him: CHAD THE PODCAST on iTunes.
Stephanie Rogers, Singer/Songwriter/
Producer
Stephanie Rogers (host) combines her love for music, theatre, and personal story to produce and write music for each STORY JAM show. A Northwestern theatre grad, Stephanie is furthering her pursuit of the impractical by studying in the Written Communication grad program at National Louis. She also does some other fancy stuff, which can be explored at Hipchick.com.
JANUARY 27th, 2018 • Wilmette Theatre, 8pm
Susan Karp, Storyteller
Susan Karp is an actor-writer who has performed solo shows and monologues at Steppenwolf, Curious Theatre Branch, Timeline Theatre, and Live Bait Theatre. She has also been heard or seen on WBEZ, and at many literary events in Chicago, including: The Write Club; The Encyclopedia Show; 2nd Story, and The Interview Show. As an improviser, Susan was a member of Cast on a Hot Tin Roof, Jazz Freddy and Bang-Bang. As an actor, she has worked with Live Bait, Raven Theatre, Next Theatre, and the Neofuturists. Susan lives in Glencoe with her husband Josh and their four boys.
Ak Agunbiade, Storyteller
Ak Agunbiade is a comedian, storyteller, and blogger who was born in Nigeria, but grew up in the awe-inspiring cornfields of Indiana. His foray into stand up comedy was accidental in nature. He told a funny story once on stage at a college comedy show, and people laughed. The rest is history. You can usually find him performing at various venues in Chi-town and different colleges nationwide. When not performing, he is either sleeping, eating, or writing....but most likely he’s eating (or being an outstanding MD!).
Archy Jamjun, Storyteller
Archy Jamjun is an extremely popular storyteller-writer from Chicago. He is a regularly featured teller at: Story Jam, The Stoop, This Much is True, The Moth, and OUTspoken! He has won The 25th Annual Chicago's Biggest Liar Contest and The Moth Grand Slam. He just earned his MFA from Roosevelt University this past month.
Miriam Carey, Storyteller
Miriam Carey is a writer and content marketer with a strong background in journalism. She came to Chicago ten years ago from Cleveland (where many of her wonderful stories originate), and she is a beloved teller around town. Miriam is currently the marketing director at eContext in Chicago, and she has authored four books, including the popular "52 Romantic Outings in Greater Cleveland." Check out her swanky site.
Carol Moss, Storyteller
Carol Mossis 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
Paul Barile, Storyteller
Paul Barile is new to the Story Jam stage. He is a writer/actor working and playing in Chicago. His debut novel “My Brother’s Hands” (Lexographic Press) is out now. His audio-book “Chasing Happy” (Mint 400 Records) is available wherever fine mp3s are sold. His comic book “The Summit of Justice” will be out early 2018.
Duayne Meyer, Storyteller
Duayne Meyer has been the Senior Pastor at Northfield Community Church for the last 18 years. Before that, he worked with churches in St. Louis and southern Illinois. Duayne is an avid traveler, an activist, a humanitarian, a community leader, and an all-around cool dude who rides his bike all over Chicago. Oh, he also once toured with a rock band.
Stephanie Douglass, Storyteller
Stephanie Douglass is a Moth GrandSLAM Champion, co-founder of New York Theatre Co. the TEAM, and was the head writer for OLN's "Outside Magazine's Ultimate Top Ten.” She hosts Story Club North Side and cohosts the Englewood Storytelling Open Mic at Kusanya Cafe. Stephanie served as the Farm Enterprise Director at Growing Home, overseeing job training on Chicago's first high-production organic farm. She is also a co-founder of Cyahafi (Cha-HA-fi) Blooms, a resource training collective in southwestern Uganda. Stephanie recently became the Assoc. Director of the Greater West Town Project, which provides job training for disadvantaged adults and re-enrolls students who have dropped out or been pushed out of CPS schools.
Stephanie Rogers, Singer/Songwriter/
Producer
STEPHANIE ROGERS proudly holds (onto for dear life) a degree in acting from Northwestern University. She was inspired to create STORY JAM after taking a solo show class and attending storytelling events in Chicago and NYC. A huge fan of NPR, story podcasts, and non-fiction theatre, Stephanie combines her love for music, theatre, and personal story to produce—and write music for—each Story Jam show. She is currently pursuing a master's in Written Communication at a snail's pace, at National Louis University. More here.