Cast Iron Storytelling 2024

Our debut season launched April 2024 to celebrate true stories told by the folks who lived them. Cast Iron Storytelling features real stories by real people from all walks of life. Our first season was packed with storytellers who shared real life experiences from messy holidays, to church camp rule-breaking, to wild first dates to unexpected encounters with animals--and more!

"Naughty Or Nice" Live December 1

Kiana Copeland

Sharing "A New Love For Christmas"

"FEAR/LESS" Live October 20 & 27

Richard D. Allen

Sharing "Kenya: Friday the 13th"

Cast Iron Storytelling FEAR/LESS

October 20 & 27 | Barking Legs Theater

"Summertime" Live June 22 & 23

Kashun Parks, Storyteller

Kashun recently directed and produced an incredible performance of *The Vagina Monologues*. She has a proven track record with directing powerful productions like *Doubt, a Parable* and *Daughters of the Moon* with ETC in Chattanooga. On stage, Kashun’s versatility shines in roles such as Celia in *As You Like It*, Goneriel in *Lear*, and most recently, Charity in *The Butler Did It* with Oak Street Playhouse.

With memorable portrayals in *Precious Little Things* and *The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime*, Kashun holds an MBA in HR Management, a BS in Theatre, and a certification in Organizational Development. She is deeply grateful for her family's unwavering support.

Karlee Ming Jamieson, Storyteller

Karlee Ming Jamieson (she/they) is a transracial adoptee from Taiwan. She grew up in Alabama and Tennessee and is now a student at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. She has always had a passion for storytelling in writing, film, and visual art, and has fallen in love with theatre. This is her first time exploring the world of oral storytelling and is grateful for the experience.

In her free time, she enjoys a good journal by the river and obsessing over her often-shifting special interests, her current one being the British television show Taskmaster.

Michael Ake, Storyteller

Michael has been a band director for the past 27 years. His focus is on middle school students because he loves watching younger students develop a passion for creating and making music together. A dedicated educator and leader, he also holds the rank of 2nd Lieutenant in the Tennessee State Guard and serves as the Assistant Family Services Officer for the 4th Regiment.

Michael loves to hike and is an avid reader. He holds an Amateur Extra radio license and enjoys engaging with other people from around the world. Michael is a devoted husband to Beth and proud father to two children.

Kim Mardis, Storyteller

Kim was born & raised in Birmingham, AL and moved to Chattanooga 4 years ago. She considers herself an all-American Southern girl…if such a thing applies to a black, female, lesbian, raised Catholic. After receiving a pretty much worthless English degree, she made a career in Finance until she unceremoniously quit her corporate job one year ago in June 2023 to join in on her wife’s business Love, EROS. She put aside the monotony of SQL code and financial analysis, to transition into the world of creativity that comes along with working in an experience boutique.

Dandy Reynoso Diaz, Storyteller

My name is Dandy Reynoso Diaz, I am Guatemalan and was born and raised in Chattanooga. I am currently a student at UTC. I am a part of the UTC theater company and have been doing theater since my freshman year of high school. Storytelling has always been a favorite pastime of mine and to tell a story to a group of people is a pleasure for me! I have been in multiple productions, with my most recent one being UTC’s “9-5” by Dolly Parton directed by Steve Ray.

Carolyn Mueller, Storyteller

Graphic designer, Carolyn Mueller, is a graduate of The School of Visual Arts in Manhattan. Her award-winning designs have appeared in venues such as Grand Central Station, MTV at Times Square in NYC, and Union Station in DC.

She has operated her own independent design studio since 2002 and thrives on implementing creative solutions through visual storytelling. Carolyn loves community and the comfort it brings. Her tribe, her family, and her dog Finley are the chattels of her contentment.