Lincoln Middle Schoolers Write/Perform in Musical in Chicago Nov. 4-13

Tellin' Tales Theatre presents Six Stories Up in Discovery plunges headfirst into topics faced by students today. If one of six middle school students doesn't win the science fair their beloved school will close. This musical exploration takes the audience through the exciting, mysterious world of mad scientists, extra-terrestrials and wayward sound waves.

Six Stories Up is an annual mentoring program developed by Tellin' Tales Theatre where middle school children and their theatre mentors with and without disabilities write and star in a full-length play, including music, with the theme changing every year. This is the 25th anniversary year for Six Stories Up.

Norah Nurley, Mica Brown and Campbell Stewart - all Park Ridge residents - are three of the six middle school players in the show.

When Norah Hurley was 6-years-old, her Aunt Maureen took her to a see a Six Stories Up production by Tellin’ Tales Theatre. Hurley told her friends about Six Stories Up and now Mica Brown, Campbell Stewart and Hurley are three of the stars of Tellin’ Tales Theatre presents Six Stories Up in Discovery.

All three girls are in 6th grade at Lincoln Middle School in Park Ridge. Hurley loves acting in plays, has done several musicals and was in a short film called “Soap Box.” Campbell Stewart has performed in a commercial for the Chicago Blackhawks, sings in a band at School of Rock and in her church choir. Mica Brown is inspired by her friends and wants to have a new experience doing theatre.
Hurley’s mentor for Six Stories Up in Discovery is Tellin’ Tales artistic director Tekki Lomnicki. Stewart’s mentor is Tellin’ Tales Ensemble member Israel Antonio and Brown’s mentor is Tellin’ Tales performer Nancy Sosnowski.

Six Stories Up in Discovery is geared toward adults and children age nine and up and runs approximately 90 minutes with one intermission.

Ticket Details:

The show runs for two weekends at Filament Theatre, 4041 N. Milwaukee: Fridays, Nov. 4 & 11 at 7:30pm; Saturdays, Nov. 5 & 12 at 7:30pm; and Sundays, Nov. 6 & 13 at 2pm. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for students. The $100 benefit ticket includes show on Nov. 6 and reception following. For tickets, visit www.tellintales.org

The Filament Theatre is ADA accessible. Sign language interpretation and audio description will be provided at the Saturday, November 5 show.

About the Mentoring Program

In August, storytellers were paired with middle school students with and without disabilities. Each team took on a different aspect of science and was given the mission to bring it to life while weaving in personal stories and insights. In mid-September, Artistic Director Tekki Lomnicki and Stephen Donart drafted a final script, linking the six vignettes together into a cohesive final script; music and lyrics were added as well. All participants will perform Six Stories up in Discovery under the direction of Lomnicki, assisted by Sue Nunamaker and Dominika Tamley.

About the Cast and Crew

The cast and production team of Six Stories Up in Discovery is an exciting mix of ethnicity and ability. Mentors include Israel Antonio, Stephen Donart, Michael Herzovi, Tekki Lomnicki, Tamara Rozofsky and Nancy Sosnowski. Bill Drudge makes a special appearance as the villain. Apprentices include Micah Brown, Campbell Chernoff, Norah Hurley, Jahzara McGee, AJ Sherill and Campbell Stewart. Stephen Scherer spearheads set design; Jabberwocky Puppets and Matthew Wycislak create masks and props and composer Mike Przygoda creates the original score.

The Mission

The mission of Tellin' Tales Theatre is to shatter barriers between the disabled and non-disabled worlds through the transformative power of personal story. We bring together children and adults from both communities to share their stories in theatrically innovative productions and programs to promote awareness, understanding and acceptance

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