Diane Kastiel is the producer, director, and host of First Person Live. A writer and storyteller from Chicago, she’s a three-time winner of the National Public Radio’s Moth StorySLAM; her work has been featured on the Moth Radio Hour, its podcast, and at special events for WBEZ. Diane has told stories on stage at The Second City, the Park West, Victory Gardens and other theaters - but also in more unconventional settings, including comedy clubs, art galleries, the basement of a tattoo parlor, homeless shelters – she even did a show in the middle of the woods! Diane is an alumna of The Second City Conservatory and the University of Chicago’s Great Books program, and has an MBA from Northwestern University…just in case. 

Nan Sack is an educator, a writer, and a photographer. Her poetry and prose are published in the National Council of Teachers of English author’s gallery. She is the author of Musing Along the Ike, a book of poetry and prose for adults, and Puppies and Poems, a children’s book. Nan presents Musing Along the Ike in high schools, at writing seminars, and at library book discussions. She’s passionate about children's literacy and gives interactive presentations on Puppies and Poems to preschoolers and first graders.Nancy and her King Charles Cavalier dog Ollie volunteer with the non-profit “SitStayRead,” assisting Chicago Public School children with reading and writing skills. Nan also has created a collection of nature photography celebrating the beautiful topography of the United States.

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In her spare time, Nan enjoys taking Ollie on long walks where he teaches her to slow down and take time to go to the bathroom! She also love to hikes, bike, swim, dance, read….and, in her real downtime, binge on Netflix!

Anne Abel moved to Chicago from suburban Philadelphia in January 2016, for what she thought would be four months, with her husband Andy, a visiting professor at the University of Chicago. Anne has a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from Tufts University, an MBA from the University of Chicago, and an MFA in creative non-fiction from The New School for Social Research. She was a columnist for Main Line Welcomat and has been published in the Philadelphia Daily News, Lilith, Jewish Exponent and Main Line Today. Anne recently jumped into the storytelling scene, performing in Chicago and the suburbs. She also discovered Bruce Springsteen late in life and is trying to make up for lost time.

Nestor Gomez was born in Guatemala and moved to Chicago in the mid-80s.  He told his first story at a Moth StorySLAM as a way to get over stuttering. He won the slam that night and has not stopped telling stories since. Nestor currently holds the record for most Chicago Moth StorySLAM wins. But if you ask him, he will say his greatest achievements are making his mother proud and winning the heart of his new wife, Sweet Mel. 

Marko Ivanov is a business executive living in the western suburbs of Chicago with his wife, who is a writer, and their two children. With a background in electrical engineering and a love of math, he didn't expect to discover a passion for performance storytelling. However, he has always enjoyed listening to other people's stories and telling his own. After leaving war-torn Yugoslavia at the age of 17, Marko honed his narrative skills as he pursued a better life in the United States. Today, Marko likes to tell his personal story to wider audiences. in addition to First Person Live, Marko performed his immigration story earlier this year as part of Chicago’s acclaimed Fillet of Solo storytelling festival.

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Marko is a graduate of Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management, Johns Hopkins University, and the University of Maryland. If he could go back to school, he’d study history.

Archy Jamjun is a storyteller and writer from Chicago. Since winning The Chicago's Biggest Liar Contest in 2014 and the Chicago Moth GrandSLAM in 2015, he has enjoyed telling stories all over the city and is excited to be out in the ‘burbs because he is originally a suburbanite himself. Archy is currently working on a collection of short stories and his MFA in Creative Writing at Roosevelt University.

David Deal is a husband, father, and a writer who lives in a house of artists. He blogs regularly about music and technology and contributes articles to publications such as Fast Company and Hypebot. Throughout his career he has edited books on rock and roll and helped musicians such as Jermaine Dupri build their professional brands. He currently acts as a marketing consultant for a number of businesses. During summer weekends, he is a member of the cast of the Bristol Renaissance Faire. 

Susan Haarman has worked with college students for ten years and can show you the gray streak in her hair to prove it. She's also been a knife saleswoman, a camp counselor, a hospital chaplain, a waitress, a designated driver for hire, a Jesuit volunteer, and a lifeguard. She currently works at Loyola University Chicago, has a Masters of Divinity, and tends to confuse people when they realize how much she swears and loves NPR and pop culture. She also loves telling stories, but thinks it’s more important for you to tell your story - so is thrilled to help First Person Live build a storytelling community in a suburbs.