🎟️ TICKETING & REGISTRATION

how do i buy tickets?

Tickets for upcoming shows are available online here.

CAN I BUY TICKETS AT THE DOOR?

Tickets are available at the door starting 30-minutes prior to show time. Please note that tickets at the door are subject to availability. Because some venues have limited capacity and we often sell out, advance tickets are highly encouraged!

HOW MUCH DO TICKETS COST?

Ticket prices vary based on the event - fundraisers and special events may have a higher ticket price than a regular season show. Ticket pricing also varies whether you’d like to attend in-person, stream the show later (if available), or watch the show on zoom (free, but not available for every event.)

That being said, financial accessibility is important to us, and we typically offer multiple ticket tiers - Leader, Standard, and Access. We invite you to choose your ticket price based on which ticket price feels most appropriate for you and your circumstances. Keep in mind, when you buy a Leader or Standard ticket, it allows us to continue to offer Access tickets to 2nd Story events and performances.

2nd Story also offers Pay What You Feel tickets. Whether it’s $1 or $1 million dollars, whatever feels meaningful to you feels meaningful to us. These are available at the door only.

When do ticket sales end?

Tickets to the in-person, live show are available online until the show starts. Tickets are also available to purchase in person at the box office beginning 30 minutes prior to showtime.

Online sales for the “Stream Later” option close at midnight on the day of the performance. The link to watch the recording will be sent out via email around noon on the following Monday.

Audience members can register for virtual tickets (i.e. the livestream of the show) at any point until the show ends.

WHAt IF A SHOW IS SOLD OUT? IS THERE A WAITLIST?

Yes! The waitlist begins online as soon as tickets sell out. Please add your name to that waitlist to receive an update if more tickets become available.

Day of the show, but still on the waitlist? Please come in-person to the show no earlier than 30-minutes before the show starts. We’ll be able to sell tickets to the waitlist if we have any last minute cancellations or no-shows. We are often able to get folks in off the waitlist, although it may become standing room only.

🕰️ SHOW DETAILS AND ARRIVAL INFO

when should I arrive?

We strongly encourage you to arrive 30-minutes prior to showtime. Typically, this is when the doors open. Seating is first-come-first-serve.

Folks who are attending as part of a group should plan to arrive as close to when doors open as possible to ensure you can all sit together.

In the event that this show sells out, standing room is still available. Please note that if we are full, we will use every available seat including any unoccupied seats at your table.

If you have any accessibility needs that require you to have a seat, please email us at your earliest convenience.

HOW LONG IS THE SHOW?

2nd Story shows are typically 90 minutes - 2 hours, depending on the event and number of storytellers.

Stories are spaced out like courses of a meal - a story, then a break, then a story, and so on - to give folks breaks and to encourage connection in between. We like to say that we tell the first story from the stage so that, during that break, you can turn to the folks nearby and share the…second story (get it?)

IS THERE ASSIGNED SEATING?

No. Seating is general admission and first-come, first-served. Once all seats are occupied, standing room may be available.

IS THERE LATE SEATING?

Yes! If you’re running late, we get it - we’ve been there too. Check in with the box office, and we’ll get you squared away.

🌍 LOCATION & ACCESSIBILITY

WHERE ARE SHOWS HELD?

In Season 27, our regular season shows will take place at Haymarket Pub & Brewery in Chicago’s West Loop.

Special events are held at a variety of locations around Chicago. Look at your show’s event details for more information.

WHAT STEPS ARE YOU TAKING TO INCREASE ACCESSIBILITY FOR THIS EVENT?

2nd Story events are for everyone. 2nd Story is committed to making our programming inclusive to everyone. We believe there is no endpoint to inclusion, and we take our responsibility for accessible programming seriously. We are actively engaged in the process of expanding the services below, and we look forward to building upon them in the next season and beyond.

Please refer to this page for additional information about our venues.

If you require another access service to fully participate or have any questions about accessibility, please contact us at info@2ndstory.com. To ensure the best experience, please try to contact us at your soonest convenience.

📺 WATCHING ONLINE & STREAM LATER

Can I watch the show online?

YES! We livestream our regular season shows using zoom, for free. You must register to get the streaming link. Find your show here 2ndstory.com/upcoming.

Please note that some shows are not available to live stream due to venue constraints, tech capabilities, or the nature of the event.

CAN I WATCH THE SHOW AFTER THE FACT?

Yes! We offer Stream Later tickets for those who can’t attend in-person or watch online. The recording is from the zoom live stream. Find your show here 2ndstory.com/upcoming.

Please note:

Stream Later links are typically sent out around noon on the first weekday following the event.
Registration is required to view the performance. Registration asks for your name and email. This information is used to verify that you're a real person (not a bot!), and will remain private.
The Stream Later link expires 11:59pm central time three weeks from when the link was sent.
The show is not available after the expiration date.
Other than the Stream Later viewing options, 2nd Story does not distribute, share, or post performances for any reason for anyone.
The show is not available for download.

💬 ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE

WHAT KIND OF STORIES WILL I HEAR?

Every 2nd Story show features true, personal stories told by adults about real-life experiences. The stories vary in tone—some are funny, some are heavy, some are surprising, and many are all three. Our storytellers don’t shy away from complexity, and stories may contain adult language or touch on difficult topics.

We do not generally provide comprehensive content warnings, as sensitivities can vary greatly from person to person. If you have specific concerns or needs, we welcome you to reach out to us directly.

IS THE SHOW APPROPRIATE FOR KIDS?

Unless a show is specifically promoted as family-friendly, the stories are intended for adult audiences. All storytellers are adults (18+), and stories often reflect adult experiences and themes.

Our venues are typically restaurants or other spaces where people of all ages are welcome, unless otherwise noted. We generally recommend our shows for high school-aged audiences and up, but every family has different standards and sensitivities. We invite you to consider the kinds of conversations you’re able to have with your young person at this point in their lives.

CAN I BRING FOOD OR DRINKS INTO THE VENUE?

Unless otherwise specified, outside food and drink are not allowed at our shows.

Most of our events are held in bars and restaurants, and these venues follow strict health and safety regulations. Bringing in outside food can pose food safety risks and liability issues for the establishment.

Plus, it’s a matter of respect: our partner venues are working hard to provide a great dining and show experience. By ordering from them, you're supporting both the venue and 2nd Story—thank you!

💡 EXTRAS

How can I tell a story in a future show?

Unfortunately, 2nd Story is not currently accepting submissions, but we hope to again in the future. You can read more about this decision here.

Right now, we are in a period of transition, and we’re reflecting on how we can best support artists that are new to 2nd Story. 2nd Story’s work is rooted in our core value of CRAFT - we are not an organization where you write a story and then show up to perform. Storytellers work closely with a curator and the other storytellers in their show over several months, shaping their stories through conversation, feedback, and revision. We believe stories grow stronger in community, and that well-crafted, well-told stories can be a catalyst for change.

CAN I VOLUNTEER OR GET INVOLVED?

Short answer: Yes!

Longer answer: Opportunities and organizational needs vary depending on the event, time of year, and other circumstances—we’re a small team and don’t currently have a formal volunteer program. But we’re always happy to connect and see what might be possible. Feel free to reach out!

DO YOU HAVE AN INTERNSHIP PROGRAM?

Our internship program has been on pause since the beginning of the pandemic, and we haven’t brought it back yet due to staff capacity. We’re a small team, and we want to be intentional about how we structure internships moving forward.

We firmly believe that internships should be meaningful, not just a series of coffee runs. If and when we offer internships again, we want them to be useful, well-supported, and tailored to the intern’s individual goals. We're thinking carefully about how to craft something like that for the future.

In the meantime, we’re always happy to hear from folks who are curious—feel free to reach out!