Celebrating our ONE Year Anniversary!!! With Six Stunning Storytellers teaming up with artists from "artitude"!!! 

Storytellers- Rachal Brooks, Amy Burrows, Lisa Colleen, Patrick Curtin, Amy Curtis, and Eunice Jarrett!  

Members of "artitude"- Mary N. Carnahan, Barbara Eberhard, Mary T. Ehrler, Joe Hadamik, Robert Ryan, Michael Veltman.

“Writing poetry and stories gave me the voice I never realized I had. My poems and writing are evidence of living, healing, falling, and rising - shared to help others do the same. I’m a runner, writer, listener, occasional farmer, and adventurer. I love all kinds of music, traveling and being near the water.” 

-Rachal Brooks

Rachal is partnered with artist Michael Veltman

Amy Burrows is back on the live lit stage . Amy would like to thank INSPIRED! live lit's storytelling classes Amy is partnered with artist Joe Hadamik

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.  Lisa is partnered with artist Mary T. Ehrler  

Patrick Curtin is a Chicago native that incorporates storytelling as a celebrant for weddings, memorials and other moments in life that should be celebrated. Patrick has shared stories at the Irish American Heritage Center, Steppenwolf, Second City and the Goodman Theater.

Patrick is partnered with artist Mary Carnahan.

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. Amy is partnered with artist Barbara Eberhard.

Eunice Jarrett is a retired public school teacher, proud mother of 2 adult sons, and ex-wife of more, who engages in stand-up comedy, storytelling and public speaking.  She is a member of Kates comedy organization and has performed for audiences in Illinois, Michigan and various Indiana venues.  She is proud to say she is almost as funny as her 96-year-old mother.Eunice is partnered with artist Robert Ryan.

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.

"artitude" is a group of artists that have come together to exhibit their vision of our world.

The Six Storytellers are writing stories based on the work of the artists of "artitude"

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.

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

Victoria Reeves, Writer, Storyteller and Creativity/ Coach, loves to explore 3 questions. Who are you? Why are you here? What is the story you came to tell? Most afternoons you can find her sipping on an espresso, playing with words and happily contemplating the meaning of life. Her funny and reflective stories open the discourse on race, identity, border hopping, creativity and living on the edge. She has performed at Louder than a Mom, Story Lab, This Much is True, Is This a Thing? and Do Not Submit.

Mike Speller is always “Going Places” (he’s visited 49 of our 50 states) and he’s shared stories at quite a few events as well. He’s been featured at the Sterling, LaCrosse, Fox Valley, and Ray Bradbury Festivals. Locally, he’s performed with This Much is True, Voice Box, and Homewood Stories. His collection of gothic horror stories “Fear Itself” has frightened hundreds of fans at fringe festivals across the nation.  And if you’ve got a free ticket to Hawaii, you may have a starring role in his next story.

Kimberly Vanbiesbrouck is an actor, dancer, singer, writer and most importantly, a Mom. She’s a Belgian girl raised in Detroit, but thanks to her highly useful Bachelors degree in Theatre and Dance, she has appeared in numerous productions across this great land of ours; from A Chorus Line, Forbidden Broadway, Always, Patsy Cline, Forbidden Hollywood, Motherhood, the Musical, to the long running, highly successful and all too relatable show, Menopause, the Musical. Kimberly has been fortunate enough to be apart of story telling events all around the Chicagoland area; such as, Filet of Solo, Chicago Story Sessions, Voicebox, Homewood Stories, Miss Spoken and Louder Than A Mom.

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.

Barbara Eberhard is for the second time taking the stage with a story.  She is certainly enjoying her retirement after teaching for boo coo years! She is a member of Gallery Seven, Chicago Society of Artists, Tall Grass Association, artitude, and producer of this show, which keeps her busy! 

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.

Paul Teodo is a retired healthcare executive. Born and raised on Chicago’s south side. He recently published his first novel “PASTAMAN” a coming of age story of a young man growing up in the 60’s on Chicago’s spit side. It is available on Amazon, ITunes, Google Play, and at Barnes and Noble. Paul has been telling stories on stage in and around Chicago the past 8 years and is a 5-time Moth Story Slam winner, a Moth Grand Slam winner and has been featured on the CBS TV program Sunday Morning. 

Megan Wells is a story artist and a theater artist.  She creates the warm intimacy of storytelling, and more.  Megan infuses characters with living souls, and delivers the experience with delicious theatrical timing. Megan is also among the top literary storytellers in America.   

As the Artistic Director of the Ray Bradbury Storytelling Festival, Ray granted Megan permission to perform his works.  She is equally comfortable in the jazzier domains of Chicago's current spoken word explosion.  Megan Wells began her career as an actress and director in Chicago.  She also worked as a communication consultant to Fortune 500 companies.  A lover of words, Megan helped executives craft presentations with great care for the structure, rhetoric and dynamic of words carried from mouth to ear.  

"Storytelling is my joy - launching listeners into galaxies of Imagination.  In the outer space of the inner mind, human beings become wise."