Tell Your Story
You already have the story
Most people who take our stage had never told a story in front of an audience before. What they had was a moment they kept returning to.
A People Tree story is true, personal, and yours. It might be funny, it might be hard, it might be something you only understood years later.
We are not looking for a performance. We are looking for the moment where something shifted, and for you to tell us what that was like.
From your first outline to the night you step up to the microphone, you have a mentor, a workshop group, and a room of producers who want the story to land the way you mean it.
How the process works
Step 1
Submit your story outline
A six to eight minute true story tied to one of our upcoming themes. A few sentences is enough to start. First time storytellers should allow at least three months to prepare.
Step 2
Work with your Story Mentor
If your story is selected, you are paired one to one with a mentor who stays with you through show night. You will also get the workshop signup link.
Step 3
Attend workshops
One to three monthly workshops to craft and rehearse your story, with feedback from producers and fellow storytellers.
Step 4
Send your headshot, teaser, and bio
We use them for promotion and for the host's introduction on stage. Storytellers receive two complimentary tickets, one for themselves and one for a guest.
Step 5
Show night
Arrive by 6:30 pm. Doors open to guests at 6 pm and stories begin at 7 pm at Empire Burgers + Brew, 48 W Chicago Ave, Naperville, IL 60540. Stories run six to eight minutes, told without notes or props.
Choose a theme
Every show has a theme. Find the one your story belongs to, then send us an outline.
- September 17, 2026OopsMistakes. Misunderstandings. Wrong turns. And the stories we can only appreciate after the fact.
- October 15, 2026ThrillerTrue stories of suspense, fear, close calls, and moments that kept hearts racing long after they were over.
- November 19, 2026FeastStories of food, family, tradition, gathering, and the memories we carry from the tables that have brought us together.
- January 21, 2027ReleaseStories about what we have held onto, what we have had to let go, and what changed when we finally did.
- February 18, 2027HeartstringsLove, marriage, heartbreak, friendship, family, and the relationships that have shaped who we are and how we love.
- March 18, 2027Ages & StagesStories from the different seasons of life and how the way we meet what life presents can shape who we become.
- April 15, 2027AlmostThe job we almost got, the chance we almost took, the life we almost lived, and what happened instead.
- May 20, 2027Catch AllNo theme this time. Our storytellers choose the story they most want to bring to the stage.
- September 16, 2027ThrowbackStories that take us back to the people, places, moments, and versions of ourselves we still remember.
- October 21, 2027Mic DropStories of bold choices, defining moments, hard-won truths, and the times there really was nothing more to say.
- November 18, 2027The TableStories of the people we gather with, what gets passed down, what gets talked about, and what happens around the table.
Submit your story
No experience required. Just something true that happened to you, and the willingness to say it out loud.
Selected storytellers: headshot, teaser and bio
Once your story has been selected, send us your headshot, teaser and bio. We use them for social media promotion and for the host's on-stage introduction. Storytellers receive two complimentary tickets.
From our storytellers
The workshops help you practice your storytelling with the group and great constructive critique from all the producers.
My mentor helped me realize that I have stories within my story that are all beautiful and worthy to be told. The workshops helped immensely with fine tuning and positive feedback. It is also wonderful to be a part of the process for other speakers.