Diane Kastiel is the producer 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, NPR’s Chicago affiliate. Diane has told stories on stage at The Second City, Steppenwolf, the Park West, Victory Gardens and other theaters as well as comedy clubs, art galleries, the basement of a tattoo parlor - she even did a show in the middle of the woods! Diane works with libraries, schools, community centers and homeless shelters to bring storytelling to a wider audience, and leads storytelling workshops at Northwestern University. Diane is an alumna of The Second City Conservatory and the University of Chicago’s Great Books program. She also has an MBA from Northwestern University…just in case. 

Chris Trani is an American stand-up comic, storyteller, and documentary filmmaker who uses his humor to educate and entertain audiences around the world. Chris has traveled throughout North America and Europe engaging audiences with his hilarious stories, candid views and pro-immigration politics, which he turned into a documentary film, An American House. Chris is a winner of National Public Radio's Moth StorySLAM, SNUBFEST (2015), and a Moth GrandSLAM runner-up. He has had the honor to share the stage with TJ Miller, Pat McGann, Tracey Ashley, and Roy Wood Jr., Senior Correspondent for The Daily Show. Chris produces a stand-up comedy show in Chicago, creatively titled A Comedy Show and lives in the city with his puppy, creatively named Puppy.

Sheryl Solomon  is retired from a career in fundraising in 2020 and is relieved to not be asking anyone for money anymore - though acquaintances still cross to the other side of the street when they see her. She enjoys telling stores at The Moth and other Chicago venues and regularly writes and tells about mothering her boys, including one son who is on the reality television show, Summer House. Sheryl just completed1500 consecutive days of practicing Spanish on the Duolingo app, but all she can say with confidence is, "I have a green hat." Sheryl lives in Wilmette with her husband Joel.

Mary Hoefler recently landed in Chicago as a new empty-nester to two grown-ish children, after fleeing Milwaukee for San Francisco in the mid ‘80s and another long stint in Denver. She is new to storytelling but feels like she was born to talk…and talk and talk. Mary is a psychotherapist and finds that everyone has stories to tell, stories that shape who they are, and stories they need to release to move forward. She found herself on the Moth stage for the first time back in July and is an already a three-time Moth StorySLAM winner! Mary tries to wear a fascinator whenever she can and doesn't mind the funny looks she gets at the Home Depot.

Adam Bottner is a former litigator and, for the past 14 years, director of business development for a legal technology company. Born in New York, lived in Pittsburgh, and raised in unincorporated Des Plaines (“the Third City”), he is a frequent Moth story teller and multiple Moth StorySLAM winner, featured on the Moth Radio Hour and its podcast. Adam is a graduate of The Second City Training center and has written multiple screenplays, including his most recent, "Searching for Frenchy Fuqua." He lives in Buffalo Grove and is the father of two amazing sons and the former owner of Freddy, an eyelash-crested gecko, whom he misses very much. 

Martha Adrienne is a product of the Chicago non-equity theatre scene. Once an active performer, director and teacher, she switched gears after a slew of medical complications left her effectively voiceless. Martha now teaches private yoga and Qigong classes and is deeply grateful that creativity is alive and well in the human spirit. Her basic MO is to “dance with duality,” embracing life’s challenges as opportunities for growth. Martha’s intention for 2024 is to procrastinate later. 

Mandy Davis is a digital consultant helping to make federal government websites and services easier to use. Born and raised in Phoenix, Mandy learned to adapt to midwestern winters by running outside nearly every day of the year as a member of Northwestern University’s cross country team. Mandy is a Moth StorySLAM winner and is optimistic that someday she will have more time to write about unexpected motherhood and how we talk about birth control. Mandy lives in Chicago with her partner and their toddler.

Eroll McLendon spends his day portraying patients for medical students and guiding them in developing communication skills. He is also an adjunct professor at Indiana University Medical School. Errol has told stories at many venues in Chicago and is a Moth StorySLAM winner. Errol also has developed a solo show he hopes to tour this summer, and a series of middle grade books he plans to publish this year.