One of Chicago's longest-running storytelling collectives, 2nd Story, announced the first half of its 23rd season of programming for 2021-22.
The season will feature nearly 30 world-premiere stories and storyteller debuts, as well as 20 of the most-loved stories from the 2nd Story archive.
The company's season 23 kickoff features moving stories that explore how one can move forward in a world that is no longer familiar. The Aug. 28 program includes three world-premiere performances, including Finding Mr. Bellot, by Jared Bellot, who shares about the hard work of losing and then discovering his sense of self in his first year of teaching English in a public school. Off the Map also includes stories by Katie Hauser and 2nd Story company member Karla Estela Rivera.
Other programs include "The Statement Piece," a fundraiser on Sept. 25; "Guiding Light: Stories of Finding Our Way," on Oct. 9; "The Phantom Ship: Stories of Things that Haunt Us," on Oct. 30; "The View From Here," on Nov. 21; "The Snow Must Go On: Stories of Moving Forward," on Dec. 21; and "Sankofa, Reach Back and Get It: The Black Joy Show," on Jan. 25, 2022.
The second half of 2nd Story's 23rd season will be announced early 2022.
Tickets for the 23rd season are "pay-what-you-can" and are available beginning Aug. 1 at 2ndStory.com .