collaged image containing tiger wearing glasses with human eyes, in front of a large golden disco ball in the sky.

October 2026

October 4, 2026
Doors @ 5:30 pm || Stories @ 6 pm

2nd Story's 28th season, On Purpose, is an exploration of what it means to live with intention — the communities we build, the choices we make, the moments we choose to stand up. Through live personal storytelling performances in Chicago, we invite you to examine your own life in a threshold time like this one. Check back closer to the date to learn more about the stories on tap for this evening, but while you’re here, go ahead and check out the artists working on this show and reserve your seat!

Learn more about everything from buying tickets to accessibility from our Frequently Asked Performance Questions.

Curators are 2nd Story pros who use their experience and craft to help guide the storytellers through the experience of writing and revising their stories. Check back for words from this performance’s curator about what you’ll hear and see at the show.

White man with grey hair, black rimmed glasses, and white shirt.

Jim Lupo

Returning Collaborator

Brown woman with short straight dark hair, smiling to camera.

Endira
Ferrara

First-Time Storyteller!

Black woman with curly dark hair, smiling and wearing rectangle earrings.

Nora
Feely

First-Time Storyteller!

Earliana
McLaurin

Company Member

White man with grey hair, black rimmed glasses, and white shirt.

Curator

Jim Lupo

Returning Collaborator

Young woman with brown skin, smiling to camera with dark hair pulled back.

Producer

Sheri
Tarrer

Returning Collaborator

A Filipino man with short dark hair smile looking just off camera. He's wearing glasses and a gray t shirt.

Director

Coming
Soon!

Sound Engineer

Coming
Soon!

Musician

Coming
Soon!

Brown man wearing a pink t-shirt looks at the camera. His hair is long on top and dyed blonde while the sides are short and dark. Behind him are framed paintings of flowers on stands.

Zoom Tech

Shain Papalotl
Longbehn

Returning Collaborator

 

join us in person at

737 West Randolph
Chicago, IL 60661