Life is in the Details with 8 Young Adult Storytellers on July 23

Young adults with and without disabilities explore the theme Life is in the Details in Tellin' Tales Theatre's annual Young Adult Writers Reader's Theatre production. The free presentation takes place on Sunday, July 23 at 2:00pm at the Sulzer Regional Library, 4455 N. Lincoln in Chicago.

Through personal story, each writer examines the little details in their life that made big things happen. The result is a beautiful message of independence and the power of dealing with the world on your own terms.

The 8 writers/storytellers include Maria Barajas, Eli S. Walsh and Josh Friedberg of Chicago; Jack Bryant Gehringer and Sarah Schechtman-Thale of Evanston; London Cason of Calumet Heights; Leah Rhodes of Kenosha, Wisconsin and Olivia Rasa of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin. Tellin' Tales Theatre's Stephen Donart is Producer and Israel Antonio is Mentor.

Here are some preview quotes from the storytellers:

“As far as I knew I could be living on the streets. There was no stability in my life.” - Olivia Rasa

"My name is Josh and I’m a recovering music snob." - Josh Friedberg

"There were no hamster friends in my habitrail" - Eli S Walsh

“I walked into "my room." Whose was it? It wasn't mine. I suddenly felt I was on another planet.” - Sarah Schechtman-Thale

“Each time I threaten to quit I am better than the last time I threatened to quit.” - Jack Bryant Gehringer

“After many years of living in fear, saying my prayers for my family to remain united, after many struggles and difficult lessons learned, today I celebrate my Independence Day.” - Maria Barajas

“I decided to live independently which made everyone nervous at first.” - Leah Rhodes

Mission of Tellin' Tales Theatre:
The mission of Tellin' Tales Theatre is to shatter barriers between the disabled and non-disabled worlds through the transformative power of personal story. We bring together children and adults from both communities to share their stories in theatrically innovative productions and programs to promote awareness, understanding and acceptance.

The website is www.tellintales.org.