Productions
Big Shoulders Stories Presents:
In collaboration with:
Illinois Prison Project
Disinvited to a Death Row Party
An unforgettable one person show featuring Renaldo Hudson telling his remarkable and true story of being incarcerated for 37 years, 13 of which were on death row. In this 60 minute honest and compelling performance, Renaldo, aka “the Hug King”, shares how facing truths about himself while on death row led to revelation, transformation, and ultimately liberation.
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Is This a Thing?
Burden of Destiny
Just as Big Shoulders stories takes its name from the Carl Sandburg 1914 poem, Chicago, so does the theme for this show, “Burden of Destiny.” These tellers shared exceptional stories exploring ideas of choice, consequences, faith, and resilience, making their destiny their own, carrying the burden, and sometimes even celebrating it.
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British International School of Chicago
Belonging to Chicago
In a custom event for the British International School of Chicago, we brought together 5 unique organizations who work to create safe inclusive spaces, services, and support to help the Chicago’s youth of today be our leaders tomorrow. Our evening event culminated in a beautiful spectrum of stories that had the audience rooting for each teller as they navigated the maze in search of belonging and emerged triumphant!
Watch VideoIn collaboration with:
CHAMPS, Chicago Scholars, Literacy Chicago, NPHM, Refugee One, The Roots Initiative
Building Breaking Rebuilding
Big Shoulders Stories produced a showcase featuring Chicago’s most dedicated and relentless mission driven organizations. Each story was powerful, captivating, and beautifully performed by both new and seasoned storytellers.
Watch VideoIn collaboration with:
Suzy Kahn Weinberg, Jill Howe
Cooler By The Lake: Transformative Tales from the Third Coast
There is something about how Chicagoans love our city (and beyond) that is unlike any other- our grit, our heart, our determination to be and do better. THIS was the heart and soul of our show Cooler By The Lake at SPACE Evanston on Tuesday May 19th at 7:30pm Suzy Kahn Weinberg (Big Shoulders Stories and Is This a Thing?) and Jill Howe (Story Sessions) together produced a unique show, featuring the voices, stories, and music of people who show us just how we are, indeed, Cooler By The Lake! Our tellers Rebecca Kling, Barrie Cole, Jasmin Cardenas, Damien Morris, Julian Jackson, Marty McConnell, and Davin Youngs all wove heart into the transformative craft of storytelling. James Neary was our singer-songwriter who has a story behind every song, and we're better for all of them.
Watch VideoWhat’s your story?
We’d love to hear your story!
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