Write Now, Right Now.
No matter your prior experience or interest, no matter if you intend to submit a story, craft a story for your own creative satisfaction, or participate in a professional learning opportunity, we’ve crafted an experience to support you and your growth.
““I’m grateful for the work you do in giving people the opportunity and the community to craft and tell a story well!””
UPCOMING CLASSES & WORKSHOPS
SINGLE DAY INTENSIVE
Saturday, October 11, 2025
10:00am-4:00pm
2nd STORY (3001 W LAWRENCE AVE)
2nd Story’s Single Day Intensive is our most popular workshop! Led by 2nd Story Collective Members, you’ll work with a small group of story lovers and move from brainstorming and story ideation all the way through skill building and writing. Participants will leave the workshop with multiple story ideas, a few story starts, and a bunch of new friends.
We will be taking a prolonged break halfway through the workshop. For our in-person workshop, we invite you to bring a brown bag lunch. 2nd Story Studio is equipped with a full kitchen, including a stove, microwave, and refrigerator.
A note about registration
Classes have three ticket levels in order to increase financial accessibility and transparency around what it actually costs to produce a 2nd Story show. All ticket tiers receive the same show experience.
$300 - This registration level reflects Transparency. It covers the real cost of creating a 2nd Story experience.
$75 - This registration level reflects Balance. Less than full cost, it helps us grow and share more stories.
$15 - This registration level reflects Care. It’s here for ease–so everyone can be a part of the story without financial strain.
2nd Story starts
Saturday, January 24, 2026
10:00am-1:00pm ct
zoom
Like Julie Andrews, we’ll “start at the very beginning” (it’s a very good place to start!) Kickoff the new year with a new set of story ideas! 2nd Story will lead you through brainstorming and story sharing to help you find your next personal narrative. You’ll leave with a bunch of story starts and tools and techniques to continue that story into 2026.
A note about registration
Classes have three ticket levels in order to increase financial accessibility and transparency around what it actually costs to produce a 2nd Story show. All ticket tiers receive the same show experience.
$200 - This registration level reflects Transparency. It covers the real cost of creating a 2nd Story experience.
$50 - This registration level reflects Balance. Less than full cost, it helps us grow and share more stories.
$10 - This registration level reflects Care. It’s here for ease–so everyone can be a part of the story without financial strain.
A Story for Any Moment
wednesdays in february
6:30-8:30pm Ct
zoom
How can we deliver compelling answers to serious questions or to share important information in a memorable way?
The answer is: storytelling. In this series, 2nd Story will show you techniques to transform your communication by connecting it to memorable personal narratives. You’ll source experiences from your personal and professional lives, identify moments where stories are solutions, and engage in exercises to build and deliver expertly crafted narrative responses no matter your expertise. Skills you’ll learn in this workshop can be applied to interviews, applications, advocacy, presentations, or on a first date/around the dinner table! With 2nd Story, you’ll be ready with a story for any moment!
Dates:
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
A note about registration
When you register, the system will only display the first class date, but this is a 4-week course.
Classes have three ticket levels in order to increase financial accessibility and transparency around what it actually costs to produce a 2nd Story show. All ticket tiers receive the same show experience.
$600 - This registration level reflects Transparency. It covers the real cost of creating a 2nd Story experience.
$150 - This registration level reflects Balance. Less than full cost, it helps us grow and share more stories.
$30 - This registration level reflects Care. It’s here for ease–so everyone can be a part of the story without financial strain.
Single Day Intensive
Saturday, March 28, 2026
10:00am-4:00pm
2nd STORY (3001 W LAWRENCE AVE)
2nd Story’s Single Day Intensive is our most popular workshop! Led by 2nd Story Collective Members, you’ll work with a small group of story lovers and move from brainstorming and story ideation all the way through skill building and writing. Participants will leave the workshop with multiple story ideas, a few story starts, and a bunch of new friends.
We will be taking a prolonged break halfway through the workshop. For our in-person workshop, we invite you to bring a brown bag lunch. 2nd Story Studio is equipped with a full kitchen, including a stove, microwave, and refrigerator.
A note about registration
Classes have three ticket levels in order to increase financial accessibility and transparency around what it actually costs to produce a 2nd Story show. All ticket tiers receive the same show experience.
$300 - This registration level reflects Transparency. It covers the real cost of creating a 2nd Story experience.
$75 - This registration level reflects Balance. Less than full cost, it helps us grow and share more stories.
$15 - This registration level reflects Care. It’s here for ease–so everyone can be a part of the story without financial strain.
from page to stage
wednesdays april 22 - june 10
6:30-9:30pm
2nd STORY (3001 W LAWRENCE AVE)
Dive into 2nd Story's creative process from inception to final performance! Take your story from the page to the microphone as you learn 2nd Story-style brainstorming techniques, develop your story arc, and perform your writing. Participants meet weekly in-person at our Albany Park studio over the course of the program before presenting their work to an invited audience of family and friends. You'll leave this course with a finished story and the skills and confidence to share it in any setting.
Dates:
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
Wednesday, April 29, 2026
Wednesday, May 6, 2026
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Wednesday, May 20, 2026
Wednesday, May 27, 2026
Wednesday, June 3, 2026
Wednesday, June 10, 2026
This class will have a showcase on Sunday, June 7, 2026 from 1:30-3:30pm at Haymarket Pub & Brewery.
A note about registration
When you register, the system will only display the first class date, but this is an 8-week course.
Classes have three ticket levels in order to increase financial accessibility and transparency around what it actually costs to produce a 2nd Story show. All ticket tiers receive the same show experience.
$1250 - This registration level reflects Transparency. It covers the real cost of creating a 2nd Story experience.
$350 - This registration level reflects Balance. Less than full cost, it helps us grow and share more stories.
$75 - This registration level reflects Care. It’s here for ease–so everyone can be a part of the story without financial strain.
Writing the Tough Stuff
Saturday, May 30, 2026
10:00am - 1:00pm
2nd STORY (3001 W LAWRENCE AVE)
Tough stuff is part of life. Painful things happen to us. Sometimes we are not the heroes of our own stories. And as writers and storytellers, we often steer away from those tender topics. Join 2nd Story as we work through how to approach those challenging topics, including sorrow, anger, loss, grief, trauma, secrets, and shame. Participants will explore how to stay grounded, take emotional risks, and face our tough stuff with courage and tenderness.
A note about registration
Classes have three ticket levels in order to increase financial accessibility and transparency around what it actually costs to produce a 2nd Story show. All ticket tiers receive the same show experience.
$200 - This registration level reflects Transparency. It covers the real cost of creating a 2nd Story experience.
$50 - This registration level reflects Balance. Less than full cost, it helps us grow and share more stories.
$10 - This registration level reflects Care. It’s here for ease–so everyone can be a part of the story without financial strain.
ABOUT THE PROCESS:
collaborative
We don’t just sit at our computers and churn this stuff out, and we don’t expect anybody else to create stories that way either. Our creative process involves group collaboration, feedback, and exploration. Collaboration is integral to our process not just because it feels good (which it does!) but also because it works.
Inclusive
Our classes draw upon the various backgrounds and skill sets that are present in the room. It’s important to us that we meet each student where they are at, and we honor the expertise in the room. Each individual brings a different set of experiences to the room, and each viewpoint brings a different voice to the table.
personal
We specialize in creative non-fiction and personal narrative, crafting intimate stories that are close to our hearts. We realize that everyone in the room has a different reason for being there, and we do our best to create an atmosphere where people feel safe enough to dig deep, and achieve their own writing goals.
FROM OUR STUDENTS:
“The class absolutely met my expectations! I came in with a very unsure concept about how or even if I could write a story that could compare to the stories I’ve seen performed at 2nd Story. The class clearly delivered what was promised in a style that was focused yet relaxed, and allowed the students to grow exponentially. Class time was never wasted nor ever dull!”
““The interactive exercises forced us to reflect on our emotions and experiences, and how they can help enrich our writing.””
“I learned a lot about how to tell a story. Now I am motivated to try to incorporate those techniques into my stories as I go forward. I came expecting to learn new story styles, and although I found the class challenging, it was exactly what I needed.”