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2nd Wednesday of Every Month (starting in October 2023) Gorton Center (400 E. Illinois, Lake Forest) Sign Up List at 7:15pm Stories at 7:30pm FREE |
Do Not Submit Lake Forest takes place in a cozy conference room at the Gorton Center, Lake Forest's peerless community institution. Arrive at 7:15 to sign up for a spot, and when your name is called, you will get 7 minutes on stage to share any story you'd like. (Late arrivals can sign up as long as there are spots still available.
No experience necessary to participate. All ages welcome.
Drinks and snacks will be available for purchase on location.
Questions, comments, concerns or suggestions? Email us at donotsubmitchicago@gmail.com
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 humerous. 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 story telling 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.