We want to hear your story!
Join us at Gorton for Open Mic Night!

This event will take place on our outdoor stage in our parking lot.  In the event of rain, show moves into the theater. Gorton kindly asks that you wear a mask in the theater if you are not vaccinated.  In the event of rain, you will receive an email update regarding venue change.  Tickets are non-refundable.

Join us at Gorton for a night of storytelling where you can try your hand at this craft (if that’s what your heart desires!)  This open mic night is moderated by Anne Purky, one of Chicago’s favorite storytellers and producers, and is a safe and inclusive environment in which to tell your story.

Here’s how it works:  If you’d like to tell a story, please arrive at 6:30pm to sign up to tell. Show begins at 7.  We try to accommodate as many tellers as possible for a 90 minute show.  Every story must be only seven minutes in length (this allows us to give more folks a chance to tell!)  It is recommended you come prepared with a story in mind, and know it’s length.

Please join us in the audience to listen and engage! Come support our storytellers and be entertained at the same time. You’ll laugh, cry, gasp and be moved by what you will hear.

All circumstances surrounding this event are subject to change depending on COVID variances.   We plan to hold this event outside weather permitting.  In the event of inclement weather, we move to theater and ask that you wear a mask if you are not vaccinated.

THIS IS AN IN-PERSON EVENT!

WHERE:  Gorton Center
WHEN: Friday, September 17
HOW: Sign up to tell at 6:30, show at 7:00

If you are interested in telling a story, please arrive early and sign up.  Names will be called in order of sign up and you will have 7 minutes to tell your story. No experience necessary!

Expertly produced and moderated by Anne Vandy Purky:

Anne Purky is a writer, storyteller and producer who spent hours on the playground jumping rope in fifth and sixth grades when Gorton was Gorton School-a wonderful history with Gorton! She attended LFHS, Northwestern and the MFA program in writing at the School of the Art Institute. Anne has told stories all over Chicagoland from Ragdale to Steppenwolf. Four years ago Anne brought the Truth be Told storytelling series to Gorton which started in the Stuart room and grew to an audience of 200 in the Auditorium! She now produces Stand & Deliver for Gorton, an open mic show with featured storytellers. Anne has found that Lake Forest loves storytelling!  In addition to producing Stand & Deliver, Anne produces Story Jam, the largest storytelling and music show at SPACE in Evanston & City Winery in Chicago. In 2019 and 2020 Anne had two sold out one woman shows at the Fillet of Solo festival in Chicago. Anne lives in Lake Forest with her husband, daughter and black lab named Augustus.

WARNING: this program may contain adult content