May 20

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Colleen Kelley has been attending Stories R Us for several years and has finally worked up the nerve to try it. She loves both hearing and telling a good story and believes that you can find humor in almost anything. She is frequently visiting her three adult children on opposite coasts and is looking forward to retiring from education in 2026 so she can travel more extensively. Her favorite thing to do while traveling is to explore indie bookstores and coffee shops. When she is in town, she scours estate sales and flea markets for treasures. Colleen delightfully embraces the stereotype of living alone with her two cats.

Michelle Young is a Chicago-based writer, storyteller, and stand-up comedian. StoriesRUs is one of her favorite curated storytelling shows. She is thrilled to be back!

Michelle has performed as a host, teller, and comedian at over 100 open mics and curated storytelling shows across Chicagoland. She produces All Skate, a monthly variety show blending storytelling, comedy, poetry, and live music at Jarvis Square Tavern in Rogers Park, and co-hosts Do Not Submit, a storytelling open mic at Friendly’s Tap in Berwyn.  

Michelle believes the best stories are where humor and truth meet—connecting us, cracking us open, and, when everything goes right, making us laugh at the parts we thought we’d never admit out loud. 

Paula is a community college mathematics professor and STEM Center Coordinator. In her roles she strives to offer students diverse STEM experiences and support them in realizing their STEM career dreams! In her free time she hikes, bikes, writes and sings along to music. She values community building and enjoys spending time with family, friends and most of all, her daughter. 

Born and raised in Chicago, Nancy spent most of her life in the greater Chicago area. She now hails from Wicklow, Ireland-the land of her ancestors. Nancy comes from a family of storytellers. She remembers gatherings at her grandmother's home were full of laughs and family fables. Nancy is a poet, singer/songwriter, storyteller and energy healer. She loves connec􏰀ng with other sen􏰀ent beings, walking in the woods for inspira􏰀on and following her family tradi􏰀on of laughing o􏰁en.

Meredith is a former reporter and public relations professional, now working in senior living. She’s well aware that truth is stranger than fiction, and that every person has a story if we will listen and wait for them to tell it. Meredith lives in Lockport with her husband, Don, and cat, Sitka. She treasures the rich history of Lockport which makes this an exciting place to live. It’s a privilege to carry forth the well-known and untold stories here.