West Ridge Story Festival

West Ridge Story Festival features original plays written by residents of the ethnically, racially, religiously, linguistically, and economically diverse Chicago neighborhood of West Ridge. We invite you to visit the community and discover the narratives of those who call these 3.5 square miles on the city’s far north side their home.

The West Ridge Story Festival occurred at 3 locations between December 14 – 17, 2019. This screening was filmed at Indian Boundary Park in Chicago, Illinois on December 16, 2019.

Runtime: 1 Hour 54, Minutes • Release: 2019

Stories from English Language Learners features tales of triumph, heartache, sacrifice, and growth: the threat of having to uproot your life amidst dire financial circumstances; the fear and wonder of stepping out on your own; the pressures to choose career over family; the journey toward discovering what you believe is right; the enduring struggle for citizenship; and above all, the joys of accomplishing your goals.

Runtime: 30 Minutes, 57 Seconds • Release: 2021

West Ridge Story Festival: New American Voices features six plays written by students who participated in Silk Road Cultural Center’s EPIC for English Language Learners Class Empathic Playwriting Intensive Course at Asian Human Services and EPIC at Passages Charter School. These tales explore the lives of New Americans as they navigate cultural differences and community expectations.

Runtime: 36 Minutes, 4 Seconds • Release: 2022

Screening History

May 11, 2022 | Asian Human Services, Chicago, Illinois
May 17, 2023 | Asian Human Services, Chicago, Illinois