Quad Cities Speaker Voices Her Truth in Divercity show - May 13-22

Tellin’ Tales Theatre presents Divercity performing live– May 13-15 at the Greenhouse Theater, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave, Chicago and virtually— May 13-22 on Vimeo. The Saturday evening live performance will include sign language interpretation, audio description and an after-show talk back. The virtual show includes closed captioning and audio description. The theme is “Voicing our Truths.”

Divercity is directed by Tekki Lomnicki, co-founder and artistic director of Tellin’ Tales Theatre, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary. All of the performers are writers, actors and advocates with disabilities, from Chicago, Evanston, Quad Cities, Indiana and Ohio. They include Jana Hergert of Rock Island. (see more info about her below)

Stories range from failed vegan cheese making and discovering one’s inner goddess to a fateful train ride in Romania or experiencing the joy of Special Olympics. Live tickets are available at Greenhousetheater.org or 773-404-7336 and virtual tickets can be purchased at Tellintales.org. Ticket holders will be emailed a link to watch the video one-hour before the show. Closed captioning and audio description will be available.

“I am excited to be back live and yet offer a virtual version for our audiences across the country.” says Tekki Lomnicki, artistic director of Tellin’ Tales Theatre. “Throw away any preconceived notions you have about disability because these performers demonstrate that though they are different in appearance and physical ability, they show how alike we all are when we share our stories.”
Stories were developed and directed in a six-week Zoom Master Class taught by Lomnicki. The disabilities of the performers include blindness, dwarfism, brain injury, mental illness, cerebral palsy and Muscular Sclerosis.

About Jana Hergert
Jana Hergert is a woman on a mission - to use her voice to inspire as many people as possible. Even though she has faced significant obstacles in her life, she continues to be positive and uplifting. Jana was in the first class of Special Olympics Illinois Global Messengers (athlete spokespersons) more than 20 years ago and for many years gave speeches to groups large and small about Special Olympics. A resident of Rock Island, Illinois, she has a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Western Illinois University. Currently, Jana is the president of her local Toastmasters Club which promotes and develops communication, public speaking and leadership skills. Hergert is excited to be part of Tellin' Tales Theatre's Divercity show.

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.

Divercity is partially supported by grants from the Illinois Arts Council, Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and the Paul M. Angell Family Foundation.