BY SHELBIE JANOCHA

Originally envisioned by founder DJ Howard as a monthly semi-theater performance with experimental sound effects and quick costume changes, 7 Stories has evolved into a multimedia experience featuring seven off-the-cuff storytellers backed by individualized scores from a live band. In their two years of performances, one thing that hasn’t changed is 7 Stories commitment to opening the stage to anyone who wants to share a quality story. Readers can be teens or adults, emerging writers to winners of the Moth Short Story Prize, seasoned performers to first time-readers.

I talked with co-founder Emily Roth about their upcoming show, how to get involved, and why 7 Stories is more than a literary reading.

SHELBIE JANOCHA: You’ve been around for about two years. How has 7 Stories grown and changed?

EMILY ROTH: Originally, my friend DJ started the show and his original vision was for it to be more of a theatrical performance with acting, fiction, and nonfiction. Now all the stories are off the cuff, unscripted, but they are rehearsed. We have a band that creates a live soundtrack for each story. Originally the stories were scripted, people had paper with them. I think the unscripted format really allows for the storyteller to connect more directly with the audience. It’s been all non-fiction since we started the unscripted format.

SJ: There are so many literary series that even seasoned attendees can get overwhelmed by choices. What makes 7 Stories the show to see?

ER: For each show we try to do something unique or weird that ties everything together. The live music is a really compelling part of the show. Our upcoming show’s theme is food and we decided to have an amuse-bouche to go with each story for the audience. The band backing each story gives something that they wouldn’t have otherwise. We focus on having a wide variety of storytellers as well. We definitely try to have a space for brand new storytellers to tell a story alongside very seasoned tellers. I think there is a lot that we’re doing that is exciting, so hopefully all of that together makes it something worth seeing.

SJ: Can you elaborate on how the music adds to each piece?

ER: The music plays upon and evokes the emotion and draws it out. Having the music behind the storyteller makes each storyteller better. They’re forced to slow down and focus on how they’re talking. They make a score, but it’s still kinda impromptu [on the stage]. They really need to listen for the emotion in the story and the storyteller has to listen to the musician. It creates a different feeling than if they were just alone.

SJ: How are readers chosen? What are the parameters to decide a story is worth entering the show?

ER: We accept audio file submissions of stories that are five to ten minutes in length and fit with that month’s theme. The reason we do audio files is so that if we accept the submission we can give it to the musicians who can start working immediately. They can listen for the place where the music should go. It also allows us to hear the person’s voice as they tell the story. We advertise through social media, Chicago Artist Resource, and word of mouth.

We’ve definitely gotten submissions that don’t fit. If someone doesn’t send an audio file, we are much less likely to consider it, but we have accepted things that were sent in as word documents. Generally, if they send in an audio file it’s compelling and fits the theme. This month’s theme was food, and we got a couple submissions that had nothing to do with food. It’s like, FOOD! That’s so broad. If it fits then we’ll work with it. It’s hard enough to get someone to send in an audio file and have it fit the theme.

SJ: 7 Stories in the past would have an open mic section. Is there still going to be that built in audience interaction?

ER: We do still have the open mic in the middle of the show. The rules are you can sign up in the beginning, there are five slots, three minutes. And you can tell a story about whatever you like that fits the theme. We let people come up and say whatever is on their mind. If you participate you win something, either a free beer or a surprise gift from our prize table.

SJ: I have a final, fun question. What drink pairs best with 7 stories?

ER: That is a really tough question! We did an open mic the other night where it wasn’t just a storytelling open mic. People could come and do whatever. The goal was to promote 7 Stories and I had to make a cocktail, but I couldn’t think of anything. I ended up just making a fall punch with bourbon and apple cider. We talked about what drink was 7 Stories and all we could think of was an old fashioned, but just because we all really like whiskey.