July 16

---

Amy Curtis was an early participant in the Inspired! live lit storytelling classes and told her first story in 2019.She believes stories express our common humanity and connect us to one another. Amy paints, feeds her backyard birds, is curious about almost everything and enjoys a good book and a good cup coffee above most all other things. She is a local real estate agent and a Lockport resident.

Judy Hogfeldt is a retired high school English teacher who resides in Homer Glen. A former figure skater, she now trains and performs in ballroom dance events and enjoys  writing for theater.  She is the author of When I Get Home performed by Limestone Stage in 2022, and has performed in several Limestone productions. She was recently seen in Ravens & Revenge: From the mind of Edgar Allan Poe. 

Barbara Kirby spent many years as an elementary school teacher. Eventually, she transferred her teaching skills to become an editor for textbook publishing companies, such a McGraw Hill and Pearson. She also became a consultant for an educational testing company--a job that required quite a bit of travel to multiple states. A few years ago her children bought her a subscription to Storyworth. They asked her questions about her life, and she loved writing the answers. A book was published with her short stories. Now she enjoys telling these stories to the Stories R Us audiences. She wishes to thank Barbara Eberhard for mentoring her through storytelling workshops.

Andy Neill

My formative years were spent discovering life in the neighborhoods of Downers Grove and Arlington Heights.  I studied long and hard at Harper, Northern and Illinois State.

Joliet became my own nest site in 1993.

With the help from mama bird, provided for 3 nestlings, who have since fledged, more or less. 

Main source of nest lining was derived from 30 years teaching biology at good old Joliet Junior College.  Now, semi-retired, when not busy minding my own business, I write poetry, ambulate, and yearn for fresh morning coffee and chatting with old and younger friends.  I volunteer for the local food bank, monitor the status of tall-grass prairies and facilitate better moods with Action For Happiness.  I can be found performing acts of strength and endurance at Planet Fitness too.

Michelle started telling stories and performing as a stand-up comic right before Covid. Post-pandemic, she has performed at various curated storytelling events throughout Chicagoland. 
Michelle also co-hosts Do Not Submit, a Storytelling Open Mic at Friendly’s in Berwyn, and produces a curated monthly variety show called “All Skate” at Jarvis Square Tavern in Rogers Park. The show features music, comedy, storytelling, and spoken word.  
Michelle believes in the transformative power of our stories. Stories elevate, connect, and allow us to express our deepest truth.