Do Not Submit-Lake Forest is a monthly storytelling open mic in an enthusiastic, supportive environment free from pressure, judgment, or scoring. No experience is necessary to participate. All are welcome to speak or simply listen. Arrive at 7:15 to sign up for a spot, and when your name is called, participants will have up to 7 minutes to tell/read/tap dance any personal story/fiction/essay they’d like. All language and content is acceptable except for hate speech.

• DNS-LF takes place in Suite 215 – a cozy room on the second floor of Gorton Center.
• Beer, wine and nonalcoholic beverages will be available for purchase.
• Hosted by Elizabeth Brown, Mary Lou Gilliam, and Sarita Miller

About Your Hosts:

As a pathologist, Elizabeth Brown spent hundreds of hours hunched over either a microscope or a dead body. She then worked as a consultant to the medical device industry writing technical reports, all dry as dust and utterly humorous.  Original thoughts were few, as all statements had to be referenced. Spreading her wings to creative non-fiction has been a liberating joy. Elizabeth has performed at storytelling events in Highwood, Arlington Heights, Evanston and Chicago, but is delighted to be hosting an open mic in her home town of Lake Forest.

Mary Lou Gilliam is retired from two careers: English teaching and educational publishing. She has been on the stage since she was 10 doing dramatic readings, singing, or some combination thereof. An English major with a theater minor, she found that teaching extended the performance world when she began writing first person narratives to model both writing and speaking for her students. Because she was born and raised in a small Swedish farm town in western Illinois, think Garrison Keillor for thematic content. About ten years ago, while considering retirement, she took her stories on the road, so to speak, by joining Short Story Theatre in the Northshore suburbs. She has also performed at Story Lab Chicago, Truth Be Told, and Backyard Stories. Having lived quite a few decades by now, her narratives include both the travails and thrills of a long (and possibly over-examined) life. She keeps busy with volunteer work, private tutoring, international travel, and as much time with her four grandchildren as she can.

Sarita Miller is a retired English/language arts teacher and the mother of two fine adults, a lovely daughter-in-law, and one adorable pup. Presently, Sarita tutors reading, writing, and grammar, something she greatly enjoys. During her days as a middle school teacher, Sarita was known for telling stories during lessons. Although her students thought they were pulling one over on her and getting her “off task” when they asked for a story, she explains that doing so was her plan from the beginning. To Sarita, life is simply stories. She has shared several of hers with audiences at Short Story Theater in Highland Park and Story Lab in Chicago.