The January edition of OUTspoken! LGBTQ storyteller series takes place Tuesday, Jan. 2, at Sidetrack, 3349 N. Halsted St. Doors open at 6 pm, stories begin at 7.
See www.outspokenchicago.com for more info .
Garrett Allain has been writing and performing sketch comedy for over four, and he just closed his first one-man show, Altered Boy. He's also participated in storytelling series at iO comedy theater and We Have Questions at the Second City Training Center. He is also a member of Team Sidetrack
Sarah Alexander works as a librarian at the Chicago Public Library. Before that, she was a middle school teacher, a professional singer, and a really, really bad waitress. Her academic and creative work has appeared in journals, blogs, and anthologies including B-Sides, Teen Librarian Toolbox, and I'm from Driftwood: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Stories from All Over the World. Alex also has a background in music and theater and has previously performed in Chicago with 2nd Story and OUTspoken.
George David Elrod was born and raised in Little Rock, Ark., and is a Chicago-based comedian/actor. George performs on the iO Harold team Comet, founded in October 2015. In June 2017, he co-produced iO's first LGBTQ pride fest, and premiered his solo sketch show titled "Guppie."
Bill McMurray is a classical/opera singer with more than thirty opera roles to his credit with opera companies all over the country. He is currently with Chicago Opera Theater and sings regularly with the Chicago Symphony Chorus. This past summer, he was the bass soloist in the final movement of Haydn's The Creation at the Ravinia festival. When not singing, Bill enjoys Crossfit, reading, movies, watching sports and cooking.
Jeff Sams has appeared in two movies ( one with Gene Hackman ) and several commercials over the years. Jeff is currently working in education and holds a Master's in International Business.
Kelly Suzanne Saulsberry is the Director of Policy and Outreach at the Chicago Commission on Human Relations, the City's civil rights department. She serves as Co-Chair of the Pride Action Tank's Leadership Advisory Council and as a board member of SHE100, an engaged group of LGBTQ women in Chicago that amplifies and supports the work of queer women in Chicago's LGBTQ communities. She lives in the Bronzeville neighborhood with the love of her life and their two dogs, Bella and Ozzie.
Laura Stempel is a writer, activist, and independent consultant with a particular interest in the queer community and youth homelessness. She's read and told stories around Chicago, published a wide range of things for academic and general audiences, leads a storytelling workshop that's part of the Goodman Theater's Ge/Narrations program and is trying to bake cookies at home instead of buying ice cream every time she goes to the grocery.