2021
December 11th, 8p CST on Zoom — Telling a story with the one and only 2nd Story.
ACCESSIBILITY
2nd Story events are for everyone. The event will be captioned. If you require another access service to fully participate or have any questions about accessibility, please contact Manager of Operations Ali Drumm at ali@2ndstory.com. To ensure the best experience, please try to contact us at your soonest convenience.A VIEW LATER OPTION
Can’t tune into the virtual performance, but still want to see your nearest and dearest perform? We got you covered! All virtual shows can be streamed for one week after the live event for $15.00.PRODUCTION TEAM
Curated by Amanda Delheimer*Produced by Lauren Peters
FEATURING:
October 30th, 8p CST on Zoom — a show I’ve had the delight of curating, because the storytellers have been fantastic. You’re in for a treat!
THE PHANTOM SHIP: STORIES OF THINGS THAT HAUNT US
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2021 @ 8PM CST ON ZOOM
Whether its ghostly spirits, memories, or superstitions, this Halloween production includes three world premiere stories that spotlight eerie incidences and fears that keep many people up at night. Storytellers include Lynnette Li, who shares how a secret tarot reading may have saved her marriage; a storytelling debut by Sam Forbes, who navigates the intersection between fantasy and reality as an entertainer; and Company Member Scott Woldman.
Download The Phantom Ship program. Download The Phantom Ship large-print program.
A VIEW LATER OPTION
Can’t tune into the virtual performance, but still want to see your nearest and dearest perform? We got you covered! All virtual shows can be streamed for one week after the live event for $15.00.
ACCESSIBILITY
2nd Story events are for everyone. The event will be captioned.
If you require another access service to fully participate or have any questions about accessibility, please contact Manager of Operations Ali Drumm at ali@2ndstory.com. To ensure the best experience, please try to contact us at your soonest convenience.
PRODUCTION TEAM
Curated by Deb R. Lewis*
Directed by Liz Rice*
Music by Jeff Schaller
Produced by Kasey Trouba
FEATURING:
Sam Forbes
Lynnette Li
Scott Woldman
Tickets
*denotes 2nd Story Company Member
2020
May 23rd, 8 pm — 2nd Story’s Between Two Screens — Find details & tickets at https://www.2ndstory.com/upcoming.
2019
October 30th, 7:30 pm — 2nd Story‘s Spooky show at Twisted Hippo (2925 W. Montrose Ave., Chicago, IL). As curator, I’m excited about this one, which features Sandra McCollum, Coya Paz, Rose Spinelli, and Ali Drumm. Liz Rice, director; Kasey Trouba, producer; Jeff Schaller, music.
October 10th, 7:30 pm — I’ll be telling a story for Super Tasty’s anniversary show at Constellation (3111 N. Western Ave., Chicago, IL), but come for the whole sexy buffet!
September 13th & 14th, 7 pm doors, 7:30 stories — I’m telling a story in 2nd Story’s Stories at the Pub series in the Teal Room of Pub 626, 1406 W. Morse (just steps from the Morse Red Line stop). Fellow tellers are Julie Lambert, Connie Shirakawa, and Aaron Talley. Julie Ganey, curator; Dorothy Milne, director; Kit Ryan, producer; Michael Benedict, sound.
May 10th & 11th 7pm doors, 7:30 stories — I’ve curated a 2nd Story Stories at the Pub show to take place in the Teal Room of Pub 626, 1406 W. Morse, featuring Stef Coleman, David Nabwangu, Laurie Lee, and the one and only Jess Young.
With April comes 2nd Story’s 20th Anniversary Festival. I’ve had a hand in a couple of the events:
April 26th, 8p doors, 8:30 stories — 2nd Story’s The One About Your Mom features Karla Rivera and Scott Woldman in an experimental long-form show. At Nighthawk Chicago, 4744 N. Kimball, where Danny Ong mixes special cocktails for the event.
April 14th, 6:30 doors, 7:30 performance — 2nd Story’s Greatest Hits at Martyr’s, 3855 N. Lincoln in Chicago, features Ric Walker, Megan Stielstra, Kimberlee Soo, Larry Kerns, and yours truly. Sound design by Mikhail Fiksel (OH YEAH!).
March 29th & 30th: 2nd Story at the Admiral, by special RSVP at Admiral at the Lake, featuring Genie Shields, Lois Hobart, Betsy Ray, Carol Abrioux, and Bindy Bitterman. Yours truly curated, Max Spitz, directed.
February 14th, 12 – 2 p — 2nd Story Lunch Circle at University of Illinois Chicago’s Gender and Sexuality Center, 1007 W. Harrison.
January 26th, 4 p — GeNarrations at Fillet of Solo Festival 2019, 7006 N. Glenwood (AKA the Red Line Tap) featuring stories by participants in my three GeNarrations groups (Radclyffe Hall at Sidetrack, Alice Evening at the Goodman, and North Center at Irving and Western): Nancy Lerman, Denise McIntosch, Shirley Fastner, Jerry Proffit, Barbara McBee, Ruth LaSure, and Connie Shirakawa. I curated, helped with sound design, and will serve as MC.
January 22nd, 5 – 8 p — National Day of Racial Healing, at the National Museum of Mexican Art, featuring members of the Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation design teams — many of whom are first-time storytellers. I curated and served as MC. Videos forthcoming through the link above.
2018
December 14th, 8 p — Super Tasty–The Show at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont. “Inclusive cabaret/talk show SUPER TASTY brings audiences the latest on the wide world of sex and pleasure. The monthly show features interviews, performance, toy demos, Q&As, and more. The show covers a range of topics, including those specific to LGBTQIA, kink, and differently abled communities. Come join us for a night of fun, information, and community!” Sounds like a good time to me!
July 27th, doors 7p — Gilead Summer Beer Release 2.0 Co-pastor Rebecca Anderson asked me to read a HOT story, so you may want to check this out. Oh, and did I mention there’ll be beer? Howard Brown atrium, 6500 N. Clark.
June 4th, 7 doors, 7:30 start — Chicago Actors Call to Action(CACTA) Benefit. I’m joining the warm, disarming Darwyn Jones and reading “Why I Hate Strawberries” to benefit Childhood Fractured: Art to End Childhood Sexual Abuse at Uncommon Ground, 1401 W. Devon Avenue.
June 3rd, 4-6p — Continuing Literary Legacies hosted by American Writer’s Museum, 180 N. Michigan Ave. in partnership with the Goodman Theatre. Featuring Megan Stielstra, passages from works by Gwendolyn Brooks, Lorraine Hansberry, Richard Wright and Sandra Cisneros.
June 2nd, 9p doors, 9:30 stories — 2nd Story — “A Joyful Noise: Stories of Living Out Loud” at Uptown Underground, 4707 N Broadway St. (21+ venue). I join Willa Taylor, Martinique Hallerduff, and Mia Vivens in storytelling while femme (featuring Carolyn Reynolds, Allison Joy, and Hannah Maxwell) provides music, all with support from Aimy Tien, curator; Jess Kadish, director; and Ali Drumm, producer.
April 4th, 5:30 — The Woods Fund and the Goodman Theatre’s Education and Engagement Department have collaborated for a Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation “What Is OUR Storytelling?” performance taking place at the Chicago History Museum. .
2017
October 1st, 2:30 — Goodman Theatre’s In These Times series: I Am the Darker Brother, in conversation with Alphawood Foundation’s Then They Came for Me exhibition, 2401 N. Halsted, Chicago, IL
April 26th, 3p — Goodman’s In These Times series: Who Will Tell Your Story?, Alphawood Foundation’s ArtAIDS America exhibition, 2401 N. Halsted, Chicago, IL
2016
November 20th, 7:30 — 2nd Story at Haymarket Pub & Brewery, 737 W. Randolph, Chicago, IL. I’m so looking forward to storytelling with Eric May, Jessica Young, and Sarah Zematis! CP Chang curates, Rebecca Adelsheim produces, and Carolyn Reynolds provides music.
2015
June 4th, 7p — MAKE Reverse Release Party for Issue #15, Misfits, at La Puebla, 2658 N. Milwaukee, Chicago, IL. $10 at the door lands you access to the event, plus food. Beer and other libations also available.
March 21st, 2p — Deb, her wife, Gail, and long-time friend, Jake, will be part of a panel discussion (Elizabeth Stigler, moderator) about the history of the Chicago SLUTS at the Leather Archives and Museum (Etienne Auditorium), 6418 N. Greenview ($5, suggested donation for non-members)
March 15th, 5:45p — 2nd Story at Story Week, March 15th (doors at 5:45 pm) at Martyr’s, 3855 N. Lincoln (free and open to the public)
2014
September 13 & 14, 7p — 2nd Story’s 2014-15 Season Opener: The Morning After/What Next? at Peckish Pig, 623 Howard Street, Evanston, IL
June 25, 7p — 2nd Story Summer Series, Part 1 of 3: Joy, Untitled, 111 W. Kinzie, Chicago, IL
2013
December 5, 7p — Gumbo Fiction Salon: Chicago’s Multi-Genre Story Stew, Galway Arms (upstairs), 2442 N. Clark, Chicago, IL
November 26, 7p — Feast: Stories of Together, City Winery, 1200 W. Randolph, Chicago, IL
March 17, 2:30-5p — Story Workshop Mini-classes: open to alumni and the general public, Fiction Writing Dept, 624 S. Michigan Avenue, 12th floor, Chicago
January 20, 6:30p — Special 2nd Story performance for Justice Council, Sacred Heart School, Chicago, IL
2012
November 20, 7:30p — Briefly Knocked Unconscious by a Low Flying Duck: Stories from 2nd Story Book Tour at Homolatte, Big Chicks/Tweet 5024 N Sheridan, Chicago, IL
November 2, 7p — Briefly Knocked Unconscious by a Low Flying Duck: Stories from 2nd Story Book Tour at Lonnie Walker’s Underground Wonderbar, 710 N. Clark, Chicago, IL
October 14, 4p — One Big Happy Queer Family Panel discussion with Gregory Martin, Erica Lorraine Scheidt, and Paul Fukui at Wordstock in Portland, OR
October 14, 1p — Briefly Knocked Unconscious by a Low Flying Duck: Stories from 2nd Story Book Tour at Wordstock in Portland, OR
September 9-10, 7p — Up,Up & Away: Stories of Busting Out” 2nd Story, Webster’s Wine Bar, 1480 W. Websters, Chicago, IL
September 7, 7p — Up,Up & Away: Stories of Busting Out2nd Story, Brasserie 54, 5420 N. Clark, Chicago, IL
May 18, 9p — Windy City Story Slam Semi-Finals, Urban Arts Society, 600 W. Cermak Rd, Chicago, IL
April 28, 7p — 2nd Story: “Breaking Through”, Underground Wonderbar, 710 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL
2011
December 31, 9p — 2nd Story: New Years, Morseland, 1218 W. Morse Ave., Chicago, IL
November 13-14, 7p — 2nd Story: A Cold Day in Hell: Stories of Hatred and Forgiveness , Webster’s Wine Bar, 1480 W. Webster Avenue, Chicago, IL
November 11 — Windy City Queer: LGBTQ Dispatches from the Third Coast reading at A Room of One’s Own, 307 W. Johnson St., Madison, WI — 608-257-7888
November 10 — Windy City Queer: LGBTQ Dispatches from the Third Coast reading at Magers & Quinn3038 Hennepin Ave S, Minneapolis, MN — (612) 822-4611
September 22, 7p — 2nd Story: The Wonder Years: Stories of Growing Up,In Fine Spirits, 5420 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL
August 4-6, 7p (8:30 Friday) — 15th Annual Fillet of Solo Festival,Heartland Studio Theatre (aka BOHO), 7016 N. Glenwood Avenue, Chicago, IL
DebRLewis 