Woodridge Performer in Six Stories Up in Defiance Nov. 12-21

Mary Hobein of Woodridge is lost in a video game that goes terribly wrong! She is part of the cast and an adult mentor (for the 4th time) for Tellin’ Tales Theatre presents Six Stories Up in Defiance – a Video Game Musical. The show was filmed live and runs Virtually from November 12 – November 21 on Vimeo. Running time is approximately 60 minutes. Tickets are available at https://www.simpletix.com/e/six-stories-up-in-defiance-tickets-80307

What makes the Six Stories Up productions unique is that six middle school students and six adult mentors write and star in a play following a different theme each year. The students tap into their own lives and experiences for inspiration. The cast includes members with and without disabilities. Since its inception in 1996 marking 2021 as its 25th anniversary, Tellin’ Tales Theatre has worked to shatter the barriers between the disabled and non-disabled worlds through the power of personal storytelling.

Mary Hobein, a classical singer and actress, worked with her apprentice Jordyn Norberg of Highland Park on their vignette which was later combined with five others and fashioned into a full production by Tekki Lomnicki, artistic director of Tellin’ Tales Theatre, and program director/ensemble member Stephen Donart. Original music, innovative sets and costumes were added. Hobein said, “Jordyn was enthusiastic, creative and highly motivated; we were able to build a supportive relationship virtually and only met in person at the actual filming.”

Hobein has vast experience with the annual Six Stories Up productions having been a mentor for Six Stories Up in the Windy City, Six Stories Up in Equality, Six Stories Up in Haunted Chicago and a dramaturg for Six Stories Up on Ellis Island and Six Stories Up on Mt. Olympus.

For the past 20 years, she has acted in both dramatic and comic roles for a number of local theatre companies including Buffalo Theatre Ensemble, First Folio Shakespeare Festival and many others. Hobein has perfected her one-person shows – many based on historical characters – and performed at banquets, libraries and historical societies.

The cast for Six Stories Up in Defiance – a Video Game Musical includes middle school apprentices Henry Kephart (Oak Park), Ashley Kruzel (Long Grove), Jordyn Norberg (Highland Park), Paloma Sagel-Vidal (Chicago), Tiernan Tijalli (Glencoe), Naomi Reid (Baltimore, MD) and adult mentors Tekki Lomnicki (Chicago), Stephen Donart (Chicago), Nadia Stodder (Glenview), Mary Hobein (Woodridge), Kim D. Smith (Chicago) and Robert Teverbaugh (Chicago).

About Tellin’ Tales Theatre:

Founded in 1996, Tellin’ Tales Theatre was conceived by Tekki Lomnicki, Michael Blackwell, and Nancy Neven Shelton to promote and support a society where people of all abilities are accepted and equal, regardless of perceived ability. The mission of Tellin’ Tales Theatre is to shatter barriers between the disabled and non-disabled worlds through the transformative power of sharing personal narratives. For more information, please visit www.tellintales.org.