THE GET-TOGETHER IS NOW SOLD OUT FOR 2024. THANKS!
In 2023, we held the inaugural Get-Together, an attempt to break the mold for conferences/retreats by creating a radically affordable and inclusive event with a focus on connection, community, and fun. We wanted zero pretension or preciousness, and all of the good times. The weekend was an incredible success on every level - new friendships were formed, stories were shared, and treasured memories were created. We were so blown away by the atmosphere our attendees created, we had no choice but to bring this back for 2024.
Have you been intrigued by artistic retreats, but were immediately turned off by the absurdly high price or lengthy time commitment? Did you ever attend a conference only to feel like you crashed a private event? Would you enjoy an affordable, accessible, & inclusive weekend of creative community, growth, and fun, right here in Chicago?
Welcome to The Get-Together II
Friday, April 19th - Sunday April 21st 2024
At 4 classic Chicago venues all within 4-5 minute walking distance.
The Get-Together is a hybrid of retreat, conference, and house party, featuring a full weekend of:
- Professional development sessions from an all-star lineup of acclaimed artists, teachers, and storytellers.
- Memorable storytelling performances in an intimate setting.
- Endless opportunities to share your own stories, with no pressure or judgment.
- Conversation, camaraderie, and community.
- Comfortable lounges for writing, reading, and daydreaming.
- Unique story prompts and inspiration.
- Large and small group activities and exercises.
- Communal meals from an award-winning menu.
- The ability to design your own perfect days.
- So much more.
Your $198 registration (all-inclusive, no upsells) includes:
- A bonus pre-retreat Zoom session for Q&A, story basics, and meeting people.
- 6 quality meals and weekend long coffee/water/snack stations.*
- An opening session featuring a professional performance and live music.
- A full day of workshops, presentations, and conversations.
- Open access to an expansive suite of quiet writing spaces, social lounges, and reading rooms.
- A daylong storytelling open mic at a local theater.
- A Saturday night bowling party at a classic Chicago institution.
- The Un-Slam, a final performance featuring attendees whose names are drawn randomly.
* Meals will include Vegan/Gluten Free/Dairy Free options.
Schedule
Friday, April 19th (7:00 PM - 9:00 PM)
Opening session and performance
Saturday, April 20th (9:00 AM - 9:00 PM)
Full day of learning, fun, and exploration
Saturday, April 20th (9:00 PM - ?)
Open bowling and socializing at legendary Chicago lanes
Sunday, April 21st (9:00 AM - 2:00 PM)
Un-Slam performance and pizza party
Presenters
Liz Allen, Legendary Chicago Improvisor & Coach
Ray Christian, Fulbright Specialist Expert in Education and Storytelling Narrative
Carlos Murillo, Chair of Theatre Studies and Head of Playwriting at DePaul University
Melissa Perrin, Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Consultant, and Storyteller
Willa Taylor, Longtime Walter Director of Education for Goodman Theatre
Scott Whitehair, Storyteller, Teaching Artist, and Producer
Our guarantee to you: You will be valued, respected, included, and treated as an equal your entire time with us. Whether you have told stories on stage for decades, or even if this retreat will be your first experience dipping a toe into any sort of formal storytelling, we consider you a kindred spirit and colleague. You are a human being, which makes you a storyteller and one of us.
No experience is necessary, and the only prerequisite is an interest in stories and other people.
You belong here, and we can't wait to spend some quality time with you.
We don't care what kind of storyteller you are or hope to become. Personal narrative teller? Video game designer? Folktale aficionado? Graphic novelist? Corporate presenter? Journalist? Juggler? Grandmother telling bedtime tales?
It's all storytelling to us.
No experience is necessary, and the only prerequisite is an interest in stories and other people.
You belong here, and we can't wait to spend some quality time with you.
We don't care what kind of storyteller you are or hope to become. Personal narrative teller? Video game designer? Folktale aficionado? Graphic novelist? Corporate presenter? Journalist? Juggler? Grandmother telling bedtime tales?
It's all storytelling to us.
Questions? Please email Scott at swhitehair@gmail.com
Organizer Info:
Scott Whitehair is the producer of THIS MUCH IS TRUE, one of the city's longest running personal narrative series, creator of STORY LAB CHICAGO, featured in Forbes and Newsweek, and founder of DO NOT SUBMIT, a citywide network of pressure free open mics. He has told stories anywhere somebody will listen, including The Steppenwolf,Second City, The Green Mill, The Woodstock Opera House, and for NPR, The Risk Podcast, Sirius XM, and more. Scott is a 2x Moth Slam winner and has been featured at The Printer's Row Lit Festival, Fillet of Solo Festival, Chicago Improv Festival, The Fox Valley Folk Music & Storytelling Festival, The Evanston Public Library Storytelling Festival, and The Association of Writers & Writing Programs Conference. He has taught sold-out monthly classes since 2012, and has done training for such organizations as Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Price Waterhouse Cooper, RW Baird, Chicago Cares, Loews Hotels, Lurie Childrens Hospital, Crate & Barrel, Dyson, United Way, and many others. Scott has been a guest instructor at DePaul, Northwestern, Loyola, University of Chicago's Booth School of Business, IO Chicago, and The Latin School. His private coaching clients have included a Fortune 500 CEO and top speakers nationwide. Scott formerly served on the Board of Directors for the National Storytelling Network, taught a week long course at All Hallows College in Dublin, Ireland, and was the featured instructor at Hong Kong Story Worthy Week, which was headlined by David Sedaris. Scott performed at The National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough in 2017.
All sales are final, and there will be no refunds after purchase is finalized.
