24th Annual Fillet of Solo Festival, presented by Lifeline Theatre, Starts Today

Feb 09, 2021 admin_bitlc Features, Music News, Musical Theatre, Reviews 0

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CHICAGO – Former Lifeline Theatre Artistic Director Dorothy Milne and former Live Bait Theater Artistic Director Sharon Evans are pleased to announce the 24th Annual Fillet of Solo Festival, presented by Lifeline Theatre and running virtually February 8–28, 2021. Celebrating the breadth of Chicago’s enduring storytelling and live lit scene, Lifeline virtually brings 15 storytelling collectives and 17 solo performers together from all over the country in a three-week, online gallery of powerful personal stories.

 

The 2021 Fillet of Solo Festival will stream February 8-28, online via a password protected website where ticket holders will have access to the full line up of stories until the Festival concludes. Ticket prices are “Name Your Price” (suggested donation of $20) for access to the gallery for the full three weeks, and $45 for a Festival Pass which allows full access PLUS live virtual extras including panel discussions and storytelling workshops with Festival artists from all over the world! Tickets/passes are available now for purchase by calling the Lifeline Box Office, 773.761.4477, or by visiting www.lifelinetheatre.com.

 

FEATURED PERFORMERS

The 24th Annual Fillet of Solo Festival will feature solo performances by:

 

• Rose Abdoo: “The Boxes”
• Lily Be: “What Are You, Lily Be?”
• Anu Bhatt: “AutoCorrect” 
• Jimmy Carrane: “Worlds Greatest Dad(?)”
• Jimmy Doyle: “Borderline Adjacent”
• Kevin Gladish: “A Secret in Plain Sight”
• Bryan Kett: “Valentine’s Day”
•   Kristina Lebedeva: “Of Salt and Splendor” 
• Kurt Naebig: “Stove Toucher”
• Beth Ann Bryant-Richards: “True Confessions of Failed Debutante”
• R.C. Riley: “Amid Social Unrest I Found Love” 
• Connie Shirakawa: “The Homeless Ghost”
• Mike Speller: “Flight Instructor”
• Rich Tackenberg: “Ron the Bun Man”
• Jameson Wentworth: “[Out of] Context: Survival Mode” 
• Bernard White: “blackstar” 
• Marcia Wilkie: “To Make It Happen”

 

Plus the work of the following storytelling collectives:

 

• Back Room Stories (https://www.facebook.com/Backroomstories/): The Back Room is a curated show that features voices from across the spectrum of storytelling.  Margaret Burk co-produces and co-hosts three monthly storytelling events in Oak Park/River Forest: Back Room Stories at Hamburger Mary’s, Illinois Storytelling’s series at Dominican University and Do Not Submit Oak Park at the Eastgate Cafe. Featuring: Margaret Burk, Linda Gorham, Peter LeGrand, Gilo Kwesi Logan, Annalise Raziq and Megan Wells.
• I LOVE EVERYTHING!!! A storytelling variety show hosted by Archy Arch J. Stories take all forms and Archy has gathered some of his favorite performers. Featuring: Patty Ames, Archy Arch J, Elizabeth Gomez, Cheryl Rodey and Sara Marie Young.
• Is This a Thing? (https://www.facebook.com/isthisathing/): Produced by Jake Cowan, Damian Raszewski and Suzy Kahn Weinberg. Is this a thing? is a storytelling show that features new and experienced writers and tellers of true personal tales in a welcoming and nurturing space and place. Since 2014, our theme-inspired monthly show happens in the warm embrace of a Northside neighborhood pub, O’Shaughnessy’s at Ravenswood and Wilson on the second Monday of the month, February-July and September-December. The stories all benefit from a super helpful and supportive workshop for the performers and producers to listen to each other and share ideas. Is this a thing? Yes. Yes, it is.  Featuring Jake Cowan, Niko Mendoza, Carissa Letz, Suzy Kahn Weinberg and Dr. Moore.
• OUTspoken! (https://www.sidetrackchicago.com/outspokenchicago/): OUTspoken! is comprised of storytellers who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or queer recalling true personal events. Stories are often funny, heartfelt, and sometimes historically significant. The audience will get a window into the lives of a variety of human experiences that will connect on an emotional level regardless of sexual identity. Featuring: Archy Arch J, Nancy Burkholder, David Fink, TJ Holt and Michael King.
• Pandemic Stories: Hosted by Janki Mody. Pandemic Stories is a look into the lives of a few brave souls who are willing to let us take a peek into their pandemic experiences. This show will feature the following amazing artists: Cris Blak, Alex Michael Alexander, James Gordon, Kim Schultz, Katie Zaffran and Janki Mody. 
• Serving the Sentence (www.facebook.com/servingthesentencechicago): Serving the Sentence is a live lit show in which different storytellers take the same first sentence — each in their own direction. At the end of the show, a new sentence is drawn that the next show’s storytellers will embark from! Featuring: Jax Barker, Lindsay Eanet, Kyna Lenof, Kendra Stevens and Tori Szekeres.
• Stir-Friday Night! (www.stirfridaynight.org): A 23-year-old Asian-American comedy group, based in Chicago and performing at Second City, iO, Annoyance, Steppenwolf’s 1700 Theatre, and at festivals all over the country. Stir-Friday Night! alumni include Danny Pudi from Community, and Steven Yeun from The Walking Dead. Stir-Friday Night! is a nonprofit theater company, specializing in sketch comedy and improvisation, and offers touring shows and workshops for schools, companies and organizations. Featuring: Elyse Ahmad, Erica Geiser and Scott Hanada.
• Story Sessions (https://storysessionschicago.com/): Produced and hosted by Jill Howe. Story Sessions is a monthly show in Edgewater featuring a collection of curated performers and open mics sharing true personal stories that will tug at your heart strings, tickle your funny bone and take your mind on a wild adventure. First Fridays at Sauce and Bread Kitchen also feature delicious fresh pizza and BYO. The show is an hour long without intermission, so there is plenty of time to hang out with fellow story lovers. The show is free and always will be. Featuring: David Barish, John Hahm, Sheri Red and Debbi Welch.
• Sweat Girls, “Sweat in the Time of Covid” (www.sweatgirls.org): With 28 years of shared history, the Sweat Girls represent the greying edge of Chicago’s Live Lit community. Known for their “contagious gusto” the Sweat Girls have been called “the undisputed tribal elders” of the solo performance scene (Chicago Reader, 2014.) Featuring: Caroline Andres, Jane Blass, Cindy Hanson, Dorothy Milne, Clare Nolan, Martie Sanders and Pamela Webster.
• Tellin’ Tales Theatre, “Liminal Spaces,” featuring Tekki Lomnicki (tellintales.org): Tellin’ Tales Theatre shatters the barriers between the disabled and non-disabled worlds through personal story — adult solo performances as well as “Six Stories Up,” a mentoring program and show featuring kids and adults, with and without disabilities. Tekki Lomnicki is a solo performer, playwright, director and educator. 
• the kates (www.thekates.org): An all-female comedy showcase that provides an intimate night of comedy dedicated to showcasing talented and hilarious female-identified performers by creating inclusive and positive environments. Artists are encouraged to express their comic point of view in unique and non-apologetic ways – proving that women are equal in the eyes of comedy. Hosted by Amy Sumpter and featuring: Soli Santos, Alexandra Tsarpalas, Eunice Jarret, Maggie Tomasek and Kendra Stevens.
• The Lifeline Storytelling Project (https://lifelinetheatre.com/productions/the-lifeline-storytelling-project): The Lifeline Storytelling Project produces live music & storytelling events designed to develop and showcase artists affiliated with Lifeline Theatre. Performances include: Katie Adams “Alpine Lakes Wilderness”; Nona Flores “The Grocery Store, Covid, and Me”; Georgia Knapp “I’m sorry, I don’t speak Portuguese”; Jay D. Lenn “Lonely Together”; Amanda Link “The Animal Part”; Betsey Manzoni “My Dog the Visionary”; Sessy Nyman “Finding Home”; Ligia Sandoval “Movie Making in Guatemala”; Manny Tomayo “Damn Near Death.” 
• The Stoop (www.facebook.com/StoopStyleStories): The Stoop is hosted by Moth GrandSLAM champion Lily Be. Featured storytellers are given a theme and each share a short story related to that theme. The Stoop is a platform to bring Chicagoans to a better understanding of each other and to inspire change. Performing regularly at Rosa’s Lounge in Humboldt Park, is as much about community and survival as it is about entertainment.
• Universal Sound (https://www.facebook.com/Universal-Sound-a-storytelling-event-226119884926759/) Hosted by Vincent Greco. Universal Sound is a storytelling event that is part curated and part open mic, 

        designed for people to tell their stories their way. It is sponsored by Voice Power Chicago on the first Friday of every month at the Flat Iron Arts Building in Wicker Park. Featuring: Vinny Greco, Maria Kostas and Victoria Montalbano.

• WINDOWS AND MIRRORS, featuring Strike Anywhere Performance Ensemble (https://www.strikeanywhere.info): Presented by 80 Minutes Around the World: Immigration Stories, the cast features 8 young storytellers who have all recently immigrated to the United States including Dipina Khatri Chhetri, Lojain Emam, Zahilly Herrera, Anneli Kongli, Stephanie Perez, Cristian Rocha, Joel Rodriguez and Edison Torres. 

FESTIVAL PASS LIVE EVENTS

Workshop 1 

Diving Into Scene with 2nd Story

Wednesday, February 10

7 – 9 p.m. CST

Join 2nd Story Artistic Director Amanda Delheimer and company member Julie Ganey for this skill building workshop focused on how to write scenes in personal narrative. Through a combination of full- and small-group work and plenty of interactive exercises, participants will hone their writing skills in 2nd Story’s signature scene-based style. Participants will leave with a draft of a scene, as well as tools and techniques for how to identify potential scenes in their stories, and how to flesh out those opportunities once discovered. (Note: this is *not* scene writing as in plays or screenplays.) 

 

Workshop 2 

The Art of Vulnerability by Jill Howe of Story Sessions

Saturday, February 13 

Noon – 2 p.m. CST 

There are few things that people fear more than revealing their vulnerabilities, yet vulnerability is the gateway to deeper connection and wholehearted living. Storytelling is most successful when storytellers can share the full truth of the most meaningful moments of their lives bravely with others. Learning how to do this skillfully can alter every aspect of a person’s life in profound and far-reaching ways. This workshop will combine vulnerability, storytelling, performance, and craft. Participants will learn about the art, science, and psychology of vulnerability as it relates to the art of storytelling. We will learn what elements good stories have and how to mine our lives for resonant tales and, finally, how to begin to strategize and craft them for the page, stage, or dinner table. Storytelling can be transformational on a soul level. Give your stories that chance to take root and flourish. 

 

Workshop 3

Story Neighborhood by Lily Be of The Stoop

Saturday, February 20

3 – 5 p.m. CST

A short form version of Lily’s six-week workshop. The class will work together on a theme and a prompt and create a world by connecting the class narratives. Join the fun! 

 

Panel 1 

Lady Producers Unite!

Saturday, February 20

Noon – 1:30 p.m. CST

Moderated by Jill Howe of Story Sessions 

Female and female-identifying producers from around the country share their shows and expertise with those who’d like to produce themselves, or, as a performer, who would like to know more about what producers are looking for with an encouragement to use these virtual times to widen submission reach! Now is the best time to get your voice involved in the national and global movement that is live storytelling! Find your voice and an outlet for creative passions in Chicago, and beyond. 

 

Panel 2 

Discussion with FoS 2021 Los Angeles Based Tellers

Sunday, February 21

3 – 4:15 p.m. CST

Moderated by Dorothy Milne

Join this incredible group of storytellers for a discussion on their storytelling and the L.A. storytelling scene. Featuring: Rose Abdoo, Jimmy Doyle, Bryan Kett, Rich Tackenberg, Bernard White, and Marcia Wilkie.

 

Panel 3

Storytelling and Producing as a Member of the BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color)

Saturday, February 27

1 – 2:15 p.m. CST

Moderated by Lily Be of The Stoop 

Encouraging new tellers to share, helping producers find tellers. How does storytelling impact a community? How might producers become active in communities beyond featuring community members in a show? Panelists include Shannon Cason (Producer of Good Co Inc. and Homemade Stories), Nestor Gomez (Producer of 80 minutes Around the World), Gastor Almonte (Producer of Story Collider), Whitney Capps (Producer of Grown Folks Stories), & Archy Jamjun (Producer of OUTspoken LGBTQ series.)

The 2021 Fillet of Solo Festival will stream February 8-28, 2021, online via a password protected website where ticket holders will have access to the full line up of stories until the Festival concludes. Ticket prices are Name Your Price 

(suggested donation of $20) for access to the gallery for the full three weeks, and $45 for a Festival Pass which allows full access PLUS live virtual extras including panel discussions and storytelling workshops with Festival artists from all over the world!  Tickets/passes will be available for purchase starting December 11 by calling the Lifeline Box Office, 773.761.4477, or by visiting www.lifelinetheatre.com.

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Now in its 38th season, Lifeline Theatre continues to explore, interpret, and reimagine books and other literary works to create stories that move us beyond the margins of our own lives. Lifeline Theatre – Big Stories, Up Close. 

 

Lifeline Theatre’s programs are partially supported by A.R.T League Inc.; The Bayless Family Foundation; Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation; Chicago CityArts, a grant from the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events; The Common Cup; Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation; FGMK LLC; Flex Print, Inc.; Lloyd A. Fry Foundation; Illinois Arts Council Agency;  MacArthur Fund for Arts and Culture at Prince; The Polk Bros. Foundation; Rogers Park Social; S&C Electric Company Fund; Shaw Chicago; The Shubert Foundation; and the annual support of businesses and individuals.

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