Word Plays: Storytelling at Proctors 2026/27

NOW IN OUR TWENTIETH SEASON AT PROCTORS! If you're one of those people who lingers in your car long after reaching a destination just to hear the end of Garrison Keillor's "The News from Lake Wobegon" or Ira Glass on "This American Life," then Word Plays may be for you. Many performers will be telling during this season. At each Word Play, a different group of performers tell rarely heard contemporary and traditional stories about celebrating the human spirit. You will discover that Word Plays is a shared experience between the audience and the performer, combining the intensity of a solo performer with the intimacy of a face-to-face conversation. Each show has its own theme where each story told relates to that theme.

A note from a listener: "I thoroughly enjoyed today's wonderful storytelling on Zoom. I attended Word Plays at Proctors whenever my schedule allowed. I am so glad I can hear these great tellers again. Story is so much more effective in pointing out our common human experience than lecture is."

Everyone wants to hear intriguing stories, right? Intriguing stories are interesting, fascinating, AND engaging. Come hear storytellers Siri Allison, Fran Berger, Kate Danaher, Beverly Schwartz, and Sandy Schuman share eight intriguing stories - personal stories, historical stories, and folktales. TICKETS

Ralph Waldo Trine wrote in 1897, “There is something in the universe that responds to brave, intrepid thought.” Intrepid people exhibit resolute fearlessness, fortitude, and endurance. Come hear storytellers David Bayne, Kent Busman, Margaret French, Eileen Egan Mack, Linda McKenney, Claire Nolan, Barbara Palumbo, Nancy Marie Payne & Sandy Schuman share stories about intrepid people - personal stories, historical stories, and folktales. TICKETS

Click here to watch many of our performers tell stories. Click here to find out about our performers.

PRICE: $12, tickets available at Proctors Box Office

Click here to see videos of our 15th Season.

Word Plays was inspired by 2nd Story, produced by Serendipity Theatre in Chicago.