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. 

David Himmel is a freelance writer and the executive director of his mid-life crisis. He is the author of two books, T"he Last DJ" and "A Camp Story," and co-creator of the literary digital magazine Literate Ape and its podcast. David recently finished production on the forthcoming short film Enter the Mollusk, an affectionate spoof of storytelling. He lives in Chicago with a wife, child, and dog, and is a long-time associate board member of Gilda's Club Chicago, which provides support to cancer patients and their loved ones. When he's not hunkered down over a keyboard, trying to romance his wife, make his son laugh, or wrestle with his dog, David likes to go sailing on his boat, Knot Write. He’s currently training for his first marathon, a sweaty experience that has helped him raise money for Gilda's Club.

MT Cozzolais a freelance writer whose favorite topics are relationships, technology, and misunderstandings (usually hers). She’s a resident playwright at Chicago Dramatists, a brand new contributor to Literate Ape, and a steadfast fan of Chicago park pools, despite what people say about the germs. In addition to writing, MT teaches storytelling and playwriting, does voiceovers, and helps individual clients develop their own scripts and stories. MT grew up in Oak Park and went to Arlington Heights once, where she won five dollars at the racetrack. She’ss excited to be back.

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Vincent Truman is a writer, cartoonist, director and actor - basically, wherever there is little to no money to be made, is there. As someone who is half Catholic and half Jewish, Vincent is a master of finding sales and feeling guilty about it. He is married to and constantly inspired by a lovely lady named Sarah.  Vincent recently co-wrote and directed a loving and not-at-all-vicious mockumentary of the storytelling community called Enter the Mollusk, which will be debuting on Amazon Prime this fall. He likes bourbon and sushi and tries to teach himself a new musical instrument each year.

Archy Jamjunis a writer from Chicago, currently pursuing his MFA at Roosevelt University and working on a collection of short stories.Since winning the Chicago's Biggest Liar Contestin 2014 and the Chicago Moth GrandSLAMin 2015, Archie has told stories all over the city. He’s excited to now perform in the ‘burbs because he is originally a suburbanite himself. 

Steve Glickmanis a software engineer by day and a proud nerd. He's a classical music nut and once upon a time played viola in a string quartet and sang bass with the Chicago Gay Men's Chorus. Steve's stories have been featured on the Moth Radio Hourand its podcast, and he’s a favorite at storytelling shows around Chicago (and at First Person Live!). He also hosts a monthly storytelling open mic show, Do Not Submit, in the Edgewater neighborhood of Chicago. Steve lives in Uptown with his partner Mark and their imaginary dog Ruffles.

Steve Millerhas been a high school math teacher for 16 years. His favorite topic is algebra and his favorite victims are freshmen. Prior to teaching, Steve practiced patent law, where he sub-specialized in disposable absorbent nonwoven hygiene products (aka, tampons and diapers). He enjoys playing guitar, seeing movies, and walking his dog, Amelia. 

James R. Petersen was the sex editor for Playboy magazine for almost 40 years years. (USA Today once called his column, The Playboy Advisor, “the premier source of sex information in the country.”) As the Playboy Advisor, Jim did stand-up sex therapy on 125 college campuses, wrote about sex when sex was new, and appeared on the Late Night with David Letterman. (Note: If you followed his advice, or were injured trying the Chinese Basket Trick, be advised that the statute of limitations has run out.) Jim is a regular at The Moth and other storytelling shows around Chicago.