The idea for 2nd Story was born back in 2002 amidst the Cabernets and Merlots in Webster's Wine Bar.

At the time, Adam Belcuore was working at the bar, and came up with an idea to do a theater performance there.  They ended up bringing in storytellers and music to the second floor of the wine bar, and realized that this happenstance actually made a lot of sense.

Five years on, they’re still at it. And 2nd Story, put on by Serendipity Theatre, is both a monthly performance series as well as an annual festival.

Its fifth annual fest opened last Thursday evening.  We were recently joined by Amanda Delheimer and Megan Stielstra from 2nd Story.

And Megan began by talking about the art of storytelling.  She said it’s a craft and a gift.

She also says that there’s always a risk when you get someone in a place where they’re comfortable telling stories.

Amanda Delheimer is the Artistic Director and Megan Stielstra is the Director of Story Development at 2nd Story.

Billed as “twelve nights, fifty-four stories, forty-five storytellers, and four thousand glasses of wine,” the fifth annual 2nd Story Festival began last Thursday and runs through Sunday, May 13, at Webster’s Wine Bar on Webster Avenue in Lincoln Park.