Opportunities told

If the stories had not been so interesting, I suppose the doughnut would have been full.

Tim Stafford explains to a Navy Pier tourist why his middle-schoolers are not disgusting

I got to work in Red Kiva for the first time on Feb. 26, when Catalyst Chicago brought me in to photograph their "Classroom Story Slam." The room was interesting: Three seating levels, including a circular couch that pulls up to the front of the stage. That's got to be a toughie for jazz trios or DJs — to be performing for the backs of people's heads as they sip and try to mingle above what you are playing.

This event's performers (five trained storytellers) had no such problems. A few listeners sat on the half of the couch-doughnut that faced the speakers, the rest sat or stood behind me — but there was not much mingling as this group shared their experiences.

Tim Stafford, Bob Boone, Ray Salazar, Michele Weldon, Kynshasa Ward

This was the first of three slams Catalyst will organize this year; it's theme was "Opportunity." Even though I was "working" (taking pictures...tough "work"), bits of what they told the crowd are sticking with me. Michele described opportunity as a meteor shower; Ray spoke about his struggles with convincing bright students to grab a hold of opportunity; Tim recalled a lost opportunity to confront man who disrespected his middle-school students.

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