Investigate Midwest, featuring its IowaWatch newsroom, brings back its Live Storytelling series with five voices from across Iowa, drawing on backgrounds in journalism, education, comedy, and the arts to reflect on life in the Midwest.
The event will be held on Wednesday, April 9, at The Graduate Hotel in Iowa City. It is being co-produced with the University of Iowa Events Management Certification program, assisted by local sponsors.
The Live Storytelling event brings together a mix of personal stories focused on identity, place, and lived experience in the Midwest. Each storyteller will share their stories on the theme of “Beyond Stereotypes: The Modern Man.”
Featured speakers include:
Layne Sheetz
A teacher and Speech coach at Cedar Rapids Washington High School and founder of Yesandia Improv, a nonprofit organization that helps students build confidence through performance. He believes storytelling and improv go hand in hand as ways to connect and amplify new voices.
Jordon Deutmeyer
An aspiring psychiatric nurse, artist, comedian, and writer who grew up on a family dairy farm near Dyersville, Iowa. He draws humor and meaning from everyday moments, and often shares his creative world alongside his cross-eyed cat, Elliot.
Jacob Mayer
A storyteller from the bustling metropolitan area of Kalona, Iowa, who is passionate about film, video games, and using media to challenge norms. He brings a focus on inclusivity and authenticity to his storytelling, exploring themes of masculinity, identity, and belonging.
Ty Rushing
An Iowa-based journalist and educator, Rushing broke barriers as the first Black reporter and/or editor at eight different Iowa publications. He teaches at the University of Iowa and co-founded the Iowa Association of Black Journalists and and previously served as chief political correspondent of Iowa Starting Line. He is also an Emmy-nominated filmmaker and recipient of the 2024 Greenlee/Kappa Tau Alpha Diversity & Inclusion Award.
Zachary Oren Smith
A politics reporter for Iowa Starting Line and host of the weekly podcast Cornhole Champions. Smith previously worked with Iowa Public Radio and was a storyteller in a past IowaWatch event.
The storytellers are being coached by Erin Jordan, adjunct instructor at the University of Iowa.
What to expect
Doors open with music starting at 5:30 p.m., with the storytellers starting at 6:20 p.m.. Food and drink will be available throughout the evening.
Tickets are available with a $25 donation, and will include a free glass of beer, wine, soda or a themed signature cocktail. A limited menu will be featured by The Poindexter Room of The Graduate Hotel.
Iowa Public Radio and Talk of Iowa host Charity Nebbe will be emcee for the evening, with IPR broadcasting the event at a later date. There will be a silent auction and themed trivia contest.
How to snag tickets
Tickets can be found via Eventbrite (follow the link or click the button below). There is a discounted student ticket available. They are also available at the door that evening.
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