About INSPIRED! live lit

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Lisa Colleen loves the sharing of stories because they connect, empower and INSPIRE! As a mother, grandmother and coach, she has an endless supply of stories to tell. Rarely does she make it through the telling of one story without wanting to interrupt herself with another story.

Jake Cowan is a founder and producer of Is this a thing? - a monthly storytelling show that takes place the second Monday of the month at O'Shaughnessy's at Ravenswood and Wilson. He is living the dream – he works for himself, he travels a lot, and when not traveling he calls Chicago – the greatest city in the world – his home.

Amy Curtis is a local real estate agent, a student of writing and storytelling, and a regular participant in the Art Inspired Live Lit Classes. She believes stories connect us. In telling our stories we remind one another we’re not alone.

Steve Eberhard, photographer, former owner of the Camera House in Joliet , and married to the crazy producer of this show. After listening to so many stories, he realized he had a few to share. 

Harold McCay is Professor Emeritus of Design & Technical Theatre from Lewis University where he dazzled audiences with his set designs.  With the heart of a musician, he strums his guitar with soul-searching tunes.

Meredith Morris is a Lockport resident and recent addition to the Art Inspired Live Lit Classes. A former journalist and long-time communications professional, she is driven to discover what makes people tick. Often, that’s revealed through their stories - just as story-telling can be a profound window into our selves. Meredith is newly married and the proud parent of a cat. 

Lisa Colleen loves the sharing of stories because they connect, empower and INSPIRE! As a mother, grandmother and teacher, she has an endless supply of stories to tell. Rarely does she make it through the telling of one story without wanting to interrupt herself with another story.

Barbara Eberhard has enjoyed producing INSPIRED! live lit. Her art exhibit "Behind the Prison Walls" is at the Water Street Studios February 14- March 7. Everyone is invited to the reception on February 14th! She is a member of "artitude" who is exhibiting at the Lemont Center for the Arts- March 6- April 26. All are invited to the reception on March 22! Barbara is a member of the Chicago Society of Artists. You can see her work at www.barbaraeberhard.com  

Nancy Heffernan has always been drawn to folk music. A lover of lyrics, she’s found inspiration in the music of Joni Mitchell, Joan Armatrading, Leonard Cohen and Van Morrison. Nancy appreciates other women singer/songwriters such as Canadian artists: Frazey Ford & Kathleen Edwards; Irish artists: Sinéad Lohan & Mary Black; U.S. artists Tracey Chapman and yes...Taylor Swift!  When not playing guitar, Nancy helps clients near and far heal in a variety of ways through her work at www.spiritstrength.com

Meghann Perry, CARC, is a Certified Addiction Recovery Coach, actor, award-winning storyteller, facilitator, and teaching artist, working in both prevention and addiction recovery. She coaches both youth and adults, and facilitates many different workshops, including storytelling for people impacted by substance use disorder, improv for at-risk youth, and theater in schools as part of Improbable Players, a Boston-based prevention organization. She facilitates Recovery Coach Academy with Phil Valentine at the Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery, and is the co-creator of Phoenix Tales Recovery Storytelling. Learn more at www.meghannperry.com. 

Phyllis Porché is a writer, storyteller, teacher, and fiber artist.  She was born and raised in Chicago, and she believes the best stories come from the absurdities of life. She is a 30-year cancer survivor and never leaves home without earrings.

Kate Ryan is delighted to be at INSPIRED! live lit for the first time. She’s told stories at The Moth,

This Much is True, Homewood Stories, The Nest in Michigan City, and The Acorn Theatre in

Three Oaks. Kate has taught essay writing at various city colleges and in the memoir writing

track at Second City. She holds a Master’s in Theatre and since youth has performed in

contemporary and classical plays as well as original solo shows. She lives in Schererville with

her spouse and Sheltie.