The Depth of These Stories Knock Your Socks Off!
Twelve young adult writers with and without disabilities share stories that push boundaries that celebrate the bold and unconventional in their lives. Stories were developed in a 6-week workshop taught by Steve Donart and assisted by Israel Antonio.
Featuring:
Tim Bannon
Riley Baer
Logan Czernia
Josh Friedberg
Jack Bryant Gehringer
Marty McLaughlin
Nichelle Noble
Amanda Norberg
Olivia Rasa
Mia Jessica Santos
Sarah Schechtman-Thale
Amethyst Tamley
July 12, 2026 @ 2:00 pm
Mrs. Murphy and Sons Irish Bistro
3905 N. Lincoln Ave.
Chicago, IL 60613
Performance is ASL interpreted
Suggested Donation $10
To request dedicated curb-to-seat assistance email steve@tellintales.org or text 773-704-5536 24 hours before the performance.
Calling All Passionate Young Adults!
Join the Tellin’ Tales Ambassadors Program and be a voice for creativity, leadership, and advocacy! This is your chance to:
Promote our mission
Support impactful programs
Engage in meaningful outreach
In return, you’ll gain opportunities to grow as an artist, leader, and advocate for the arts and community.
For more info, contact: steve@tellintales.org
Don’t wait—become part of something amazing today! #Leadership #TellinTalesAmbassadors
Young Adult Writer’s Workshop and Performance
Each summer Tellin’ Tales invites up to 12 young adults ages 18 and up with and without disabilities to develop stories on a theme that resonates with young adults today. The six-week workshop is held on Zoom culminating in a live
performance at Mrs. Murphy and Son’s Irish Bistro. Join us for the next Tellin Tales Theatre Young Adult Writers Workshop around the theme of “Unstoppable”! All experience levels are welcome! So what are you waiting for…for more information or to join contact: Steve@tellintales.org.
Speak Up! Your experience matters!
Six Stories Up
Part education, part magic—our Six Stories Up mentoring program teams Chicago middle school children with professional storytelling mentors. What is unique about our particular program is that it includes both children and mentors with disabilities. Other groups mix children with and without disabilities with the use of “shadowing”, whereas the able-bodied child acts as a guide to the child with a disability, Tellin’ Tales educates and trains all the actors so they function on an equal playing field— for life changing results. Because of the intimacy of the group, we are able to take the time to draw out the specific abilities of each child and empower him or her to shine.
Each adult/child team works together to write a 10-12 minute theater piece on an assigned theme, which is often a curriculum topic. Each team is encouraged to sprinkle their scene with personal stories to help them connect to the theme. The entire group comes together to weave the pieces into a full-length show, which is beautifully produced with original music, fanciful masks and innovative sets—also created by mentor/apprentice teams. Eager audiences of all ages pack into a professional theatre for our two-week run.
If your middle school student is interested in participating in Six Stories Up please contact Tekki.