2nd Story: Storytellers: F

Lisa Fairman

Lisa Fairman has a paper heart with a rainbow on it she made when she was 8. It says, “Happiness is writing stories, listening to music, and reading”. It’s still true. She also acts, plays piano, and likes to sing Elvis Costello songs at the top of her lungs. When she thinks of Mark, Hunter, her Mom and her friends during the day, she stops what she’s doing and smiles. She is honored and grateful to be working with the good people of 2nd Story.

Stephanie Farina

Sound Designer // Stephanie Farina started her sound career about a year and half ago when she moved to Chicago. Starting as an intern at the Goodman Theatre, she has since returned there as an employee, mic running for Ain’t Misbehavin, Turn of the Century, and A Christmas Carol, as well as sound engineered for Esperanza Rising and Latino Feast 2008. Outside of Goodman she has acted as Assistant Sound Designed Contraption at The Neofurist, sound engineer for The Attempters and Rose and the Rime with The House Theatre of Chicago, and The American Girl Revue at the American Girl Theatre. She also designed sound for Laughter on the 23rd Floor at Raven Theatre. Stephanie has also worked with Metropolis Performing Arts Center as an outreach instructor with their technical theatre outreach program. She is eager and excited to continue her sound career and wants to thank all of the people who helped her get here and support her everyday!

Mikhail Fiksel

Music Director // As a designer, musician, composer and performer, Mikhail "Misha" Fiksel is an emerging noisemaker in the Chicago theatre and music community. Originally transported from the frozen steppes of Siberia, Mikhail found his way to the great Windy City via the University of Chicago, where he received his Bachelor Degree and also began his ventures into the realm of sound design. In addition to being a member of Serendipity Theater Company, he is an ensemble member with Strawdog Theatre Company, and an Artistic Associate with Collaboraction and Teatro Vista. He has designed and composed for a variety of theatres and companies including ATC, The House, Redmoon Theater, Victory Gardens, The Goodman Theatre, The Hypocrites and many others. He also is a resident designer at the Vittum Theatre, and a part faculty member of the Loyola University Theatre Department. As a musician, he performs throughout this city, either as a solo artist (often under the moniker "dj white russian") or with his project "Seeking Wonderland", an improvisational ensemble on a quest of fusing nu-jazz, live electronic music, and visual media. He holds residencies at sushi wabi and The Morseland, and was regularly featured on Q101's Sonic Boom: Subsonic, a program dedicated to new electronic music.

Kristen Fiore

Kristen Fiore is a writer, editor of not one but two student anthologies, and 2nd Story Intern extraordinaire turned storyteller. Originally from The Hamptons, New York (which she swears isn't as exciting as it sounds), Kristen now calls Chicago home, where she is finally finishing her B.A. in Fiction Writing at Columbia College Chicago. Her work has only appeared in Hair Trigger 30 and the Story Week Reader, but she hopes to change that soon. She would like to thank her daughter, her Jewish Grandparents, and hard working mother for giving her the motivation to write and tell her stories.

Holly Fisher

Holly Fisher is a writer who made her way to Chicago after growing up in Arkansas. She has performed onstage with Belle and Sebastian at The Paramount Theatre in Seattle, on air for Chicago Public Radio's Eight Forty-Eight, and alongside Neal Pollack for Chicago's Silver Tongue Reading Series. Her writing has appeared in Hair Trigger, Scholastic Inc.'s The Best Teen Writing of 2005, The Bonfire, and Things That Are True, among others. She recently snagged a BA in Fiction Writing from Columbia College and is currently at work on her first novel.

Byron Flitsch

Story Development Team // Byron Flitsch is a freelance writer and performer living in Chicago. He’s been published in The Advocate Magazine, Gay Chicago, NFT, Toasted Cheese, Chicago Collection, New City; and is a proud columnist for UR Chicago where he writes Urban Legend: A relationship column. He’s also read/performed for R.U.I, Homolatte, and Solo Homo—local literary and performance events. He has lofty dreams of becoming a travel show host/writer: think Globe Trekker. He’s proud to be continuing his long-term commitment with one of his favorite pastimes, 2nd Story. You can stalk him properly at his website: www.byronflitsch.com.

Rosie Forrest

Rosie Forrest has been affiliated with Serendipity Theatre for many years, and is super happy to be a part of 2nd Story once again. As a writer, she's collaborated with the Tenseforms annual festival, Bringmayflowers, and has also been featured on WBEZ's Writers’ Block Party. As a dramaturg, Rosie has worked with loads of theatres around town—most recently, for Northlight Theatre as the Artistic Associate. Rosie teaches folks playwriting, and dramaturgy; but when she gets to hang out in her closet, she likes writing books for other kids who are fans of small spaces.

Khanisha Foster

Director of Story Development, Director of Community Outreach // Khanisha Foster is so excited to be writing and performing with the 2nd Story/Serendipity crew. It is a great honor to have the opportunity to tell this story and she is very grateful to all of the editors, writers and listeners. She is an actor in the city and has worked with The Goodman Theater, Serendipity, Steep, Babes with Blades among others. She can be seen in the film Chicago Boricua and attended The School of Steppenwolf 2006. All of her love and thanks go to Tony and Elena.

Russell Foster

Not unlike Superman, Russell Foster is faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, able to leap tall buildings in a single bound ... ... and, disguised as a mild mannered General Manager during the day, reveals his true identity as master storyteller and gifted artist in the night. He is active with his daughter’s acting class, presenting his story to them and answering questions. He has acted in the independent film ”On The Down-Low“ and is interested in pursuing more film roles. He has profound ideas that he is collecting to write his first book. But where he really shines is in his ability to be an awesome storyteller. He is grateful for the opportunity to be involved with 2nd Story and is looking forward to future collaborations.

Sheridan Foster

This is Sheridan’s first time working with Second Story and Teatro Vista and is really excited about the experience. She is currently a student at Columbia College Chicago, where she is working on a degree in ASL-English Interpretation. She sends out thanks to everyone who has supported her but most importantly to Josey and Terra. Mommy loves you girls!

Dennis Frymire

In an alternate universe, Dennis learned to play a guitar, moved to Nashville, and is now a star on country radio. In this one, he is an actor, occasional director, and now, a storyteller. He won WNEP’s 10th Annual Skald Storytelling competition in June, which has lead to other wonderful opportunities with RUI: Reading Under the Influence, This Much Is True, and of course, 2nd Story. He’s thrilled to find this new medium of performing, and grateful for the immensely talented folks he’s met along the way.