Stories R Us

Storytelling in Lockport

Storytelling has returned to Lockport! Stories R Us produced by Barbara Eberhard, has found a home at Nik and Ivy Brewing, State Street, Lockport. Five Fab storytellers will share their tales on Wednesday, November 16th. The evening begins at 6:30 with music by Harold McCay then at 7 p.m. the tellers take the stage. This month Stories R Us welcomes Tom Hernandez, Megali Mazumdar, Victoria Montalbano, Wendy Streit and Paul Teodo. Check out the website at storiesrus.fun

Tom Hernandez is a writer, public speaker, raconteur, performer, and communications professional. Born and raised in Joliet, Illinois, Tom has been writing personally and professionally since childhood. He was a reporter for 10 years at several suburban daily and weekly newspapers and wrote a “slice of life” column for another 11 years for two community newspapers. He now serves as the Director of Community Relations for a large suburban Chicago public school district. Tom’s writing explores the many complicated facets of life — marriage, family, relationships, identity, aging, parenting, faith, social justice and politics. He has published six books, all available on Amazon and through his website, www.tomhernandezbooks.com

Meghali Mazumdar is a a resident of Aurora, married to Pravin, her college sweetheart. They share 2 beautiful children together. A Project Manager by profession, her penchant for writing stories is well known in her community. She writes for various newsletters and shares her wonderful, heartwarming real-life experiences through her website TalesByTulika. (https://talesbytulika.com/) Her stories, which are all about kindness and generosity, are often inspired by her daily interaction with her kids, friends and sometimes even strangers. She is passionate about bringing positive change in this world. She is also actively involved in raising awareness about special needs kids and her goal is to break the stigma around the subject.

Victoria Montalbano is a Chicago-based actress, solo performer, and recovering improvisor. She has a degree in Acting from Syracuse University and spent a semester studying at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre in London. In Chicago, you've seen her at Redtwist Theatre, Pegasus Theatre Chicago, and PrideArts, among others. Victoria was part of the improv team Plus-Prov at iO Chicago, which was made up of entirely plus-size women. As a solo performer, she has been featured at Story Club Chicago, Universal Sound, We Have Questions, Pour One Out, and more. Her debut solo show, The Princess Strikes Back: One Woman's Search for the Space Cowboy of her Dreams had its world premiere in July 2021.

Wendy Streit has been a teacher in the Valley View School District for 26 years, teaching English 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students. She even taught as an adjunct professor at JJC and Lewis University. Her undergraduate work is in English, Speech, and Bible. Her masters is in English. Wendy’s specialty is helping struggling writers of all ages and learning educational technology to bring the latest and greatest to the classroom. In her free time, Wendy loves spending it with her husband Steve and her two girls, Zoe (16) and Penelope (12), her super fab cat Percy, and two fish Penelope won at a carnival.

Paul Teodo is a retired healthcare executive. He has been telling stories on stage in and around Chicago the past 12 years. He is a multiple moth story slam and grand slam winner. He is the author of 3 books PASTAMAN, Call Me Z, and his newest book, a collection of short stories titled South of Cermak: Chicago Stories. all available on amazon.

Mark your calendars for November 16th. For more information go to storiesrus.fun or storiesrus4@gmail.com