STORYTELLING · SPEECH · WRITING
Uncover your story.
Cultivate the work.
Make it undeniable.
WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON?
Bring me the speech, your upcoming presentation, a story, a script, your new idea, the messy draft that vexes you, or blank page that you just can’t get started…
I help individuals, professionals, executives, writers, performers, and creators develop stories, strengthen writing, and communicate ideas with greater clarity, structure, presence, intention and energy.
COACHING
Private, focused work for people who want to develop a story, a speech, a presentation, a script, a creative project, or that your next draft.
We'll work directly on what needs to get clearer, stronger, or needs more energy.
Choose the kind of support that fits your project.
FICTION
SHORT STORY WRITING
Turn an idea, character, image, or situation into a short story. Explore premise, character, point of view, structure, endings, and revision.
CREATIVE NONFICTION
EXPERIENCE STORY
Transform a memory, an experience, or a reflection into compelling creative nonfiction. Find the story inside what happened and shape it on the page.
COMEDY
FUNNIER AND FUNNIER
Develop an idea into a sketch, comic scene, monologue, or other piece of comedy. Explore premise, character, comic point of view, escalation, and structure.
SPECULATIVE
STRANGER AND STRANGER
Develop stories rooted in fantasy, speculative fiction, magical realism, folklore, or myth. Build a world that feels strange and emotionally real.
PERFORMANCE
PAGE TO STAGE
Create a monologue, storytelling piece, character, solo performance, or other work written to be performed live onstage, on camera or on the mic.
EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATION
RESPONSIVE PRESENCE
Strengthen your ability to stay present, think clearly, and respond effectively when communication doesn’t go according to plan. with the Art of the Pivot. Practice reading the room, finding the next useful thing to say, recovering from unexpected questions or interruptions, and staying connected to your purpose while speaking in real time.
WRITING LAB
WORK IN PROGRESS
Bring an idea, rough draft, unfinished piece, or blank page and use focused writing time to move it forward. Generate material, experiments, write scenes, develop characters, solve story problems, revise, and get feedback. Leave with new pages and a clearer sense of where the work wants to go.
WANT TO TAKE ONE?
CLASSES
Classes are small groups, supportive and collaborative creative development spaces. Bring your storytelling, writing, and/or performance ideas and drafts. Each class is built around play and practice, not just theory. You leave with something you've actually made!
You learn as you try out ideas, make bold choices, share ideas and stories, get supportive and constructive feedback, and grow stronger on your storytelling journey.
Workshops and classes are under development.
WANT TO TAKE A WORKSHOP?
Share what you would like to learn!
HOW IT WORKS
You have…a blank page, an idea, a draft, two words, something you wrote on a scrap of paper in 2010…
Let’s work on it!
UNCOVER
Find the story, idea, message, question, or possibility underneath your material.
CULTIVATE
Develop it. Shape it. Test it. Give it what it needs to grow.
UNDENIABLE
Strengthen the work until its purpose, voice, and impact are clear with work that is clearer, stronger, more alive, and your voice.
ABOUT
Mari DeOleo
Storyteller · Writer · Performer · Creative Producer
I am a storyteller, writer, performer, and creative producer whose work brings together storytelling, writing, improvisation, performance, and creative development.
I work with people developing stories and communicating ideas boldly and effectively. From speeches and presentations to scripts, performances, and original creative projects, I can help take your story to the next part of the journey in its evolution.
I teach storytelling and improv at The Second City and have developed and produced creative and educational programs for museums like the DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center, arts organizations like the Lyric Opera of Chicago, and independent projects.
