Guess what? Short Story Theatre is back with 5 new captivating stories!

Welcome back to Short Story Theatre! We are thrilled to announce that we will be showcasing 5 new stories at The Art Center Highland Park. Join us for an evening filled with captivating tales brought to life on stage. Don't miss out on this in-person event - it's going to be a night to remember!

Paul Teodo is a retired healthcare executive. He has been telling stories on stage in and around Chicago the past 14 years. He is the winner of multiple Moth Story Slam and Grand Slam championships and has been featured on the CBS TV show “Sunday Morning,” sharing his story “A Dangerous Person,” which he also told for Short Story Theatre last year. Paul is also the co-author of 2 novels: PASTAMAN and Call Me Z, and a book of short stories South of Cermak: Chicago Stories.

Gale Gand is a pastry chef and chef and was a co-founder and partner in the Michelin two-star restaurant, Tru, in Chicago. She hosted Food Network’s long running show “Sweet Dreams,” is the author of 8 cookbooks, and worked with Julia Child on her book and PBS series, “Baking with Julia.” Gale teaches cooking classes all over the country and is an artisanal soda pop maker producing Gale’s Root Beer which is sold nationally. She has received two James Beard Awards, has been inducted to the American Academy of Chefs and the Chicago Chefs Hall of Fame and was schooled in Paris at La Varenne. Gale appears at many Food and Wine festivals across the country and is a professional Pie and Food Competition Judge. She volunteered to cook in Poland and Ukraine with Jose Andres’ World Central Kitchen and taught a Chocolate and Vanilla Master Class in Derry, Northern Ireland. She is the mother of 3, has a BFA from RIT in Metalsmithing, and plays the ukulele. Fun fact: She once made a Peach Cobbler for Aretha Franklin. For more info on Gale go to: www.galegand.com.

Claudia Maru spent most of her career working in healthcare research. She discovered storytelling in 2023 when she was inspired to take a class from storytelling hero Scott Whitehair. When not telling stories about oddball encounters with strangers, she enjoys daydreaming about running a chihuahua rescue farm and becoming a sailor on the seven seas. She is also co-host of Do Not Submit, a storytelling open mic in Libertyville held on the third Wednesday of every month.

Tracy Fowler survived 40 years of teaching, but after 6 months of retirement found herself in the right seat of a car teaching teenagers how to drive. When she’s not working with kids you can find her outside hiking in the woods, feeding squirrels in her backyard or driving her race car. When she’s stuck inside, she engages in post-pandemic bread baking and story writing - this time for an audience over the age of 12. She’s always on the lookout for opportunities to work with kids, especially on storytelling.

David Edler is more comfortable talking to an audience than a stranger. His journey began at age 11 doing stand-up in a Junior High Talent show. This led to an MFA in acting and performances in Milwaukee, Upstate New York, Ohio, and Chicago, where he even directed a couple of shows. Eventually, his day job in Vision Care evolved into a 40-year career. His favorite roles include husband, father, youth sports coach, cyclist, runner, and musician who played briefly in a neighborhood garage band. David, a Moth Story Slam Winner, has been sharing his experiences through storytelling since 2014 and is eager to connect with new audiences.

Host or Publisher Donna Lubow