Going Solo

WDCB’s Gary Zidek talks to Dorothy Milne and Sharon Evans about the history and evolution of the Fillet of Solo Festival.

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WDCB's Gary Zidek talks to Dorothy Milne and Sharon Evans, the organizers of this year's Fillet of Solo Festival.

“At the time (early 90’s), it was a form that was well outside the parameters of Chicago storefront theatre, but growing. And then it very, very quickly caught on. It’s very interesting to me to see where it’s ended up, with all the Netflix (specials). You know, a lot of those Netflix comedy specials are less stand-up, and more stories.” - Sharon Evans, founder of the Fillet of Solo Festival talking about the evolution of live story-telling in Chicago.

(left to right) Sharon Evans and Dorothy Milne, organizers of the 23rd Fillet of Solo Festival

Some of Chicago’s best storytellers are taking part in the 23rd annual Fillet of Solo Festival, which continues in the city’s Rogers Park neighborhood through January 26. While there’s no shortage of storytelling series and live lit events taking place in Chicago in 2020, that wasn’t the case when Sharon Evans started presenting “stand-up storytelling” in the 90’s. She launched the first Fillet of Solo Festival in 1995. Twenty-five years later, the festival is still growing strong, though now its presented by Lifeline Theatre.

Fifteen storytelling collectives and nine solo artists are participating in this year’s Fillet of Solo Festival, which is being presented at two venues in the Rogers Park neighborhood, Lifeline Theater and The Teal Room. The 23rd Fillet of Solo Festival continues through January 26, click here for more information.