PlayMakers Laboratory Celebrating the power of children's imaginations since 1997

Events and Announcements

Anniversaries AND Annual Appeals

WE DID IT! We Saved PlayMakers Laboratory and now it’s time to celebrate our 25th year!

Earlier this year we hit a big bump in the road, but we reversed a near shutdown and continued programming for the Spring, Summer, and Fall. This year marked our first time teaching and performing in-person for our students since the 2020 pandemic had us pivot to virtual learning. Our artists and the staff are thrilled to continue to offer impeccable programming in Chicago Public Schools as we have for the past 25 years.

Will you help us on our 25th Anniversary by making a gift?

FIRST you can give a tax deductible donation to PlayMakers Laboratory by clicking the Donate Now button below.

Donate Now

SECOND,  Come see PlayMakers Laboratory’s 25 Years of Students’ Stories: A One Night Only Anniversary Performance at the Neo-Futurist Theater on December 5, 2022. There are two performances at 6:30PM and 8:30PM. Tickets can be purchased for $25 in honor of our 25 years by clicking the ‘Purchase Tickets’ button below.

Purchase Tickets

And don’t forget to tell your friends and family!

With warmest regards,
The PlayMakers

PlayMakers Laboratory Returns to Public Performances for Night Out In The Parks!

That’s Right! For the first time this year, PlayMakers Laboratory is holding public performances of “Summer of Stories,” a sketch comedy show written by Chicago Park District campers and performed by PlayMakers Laboratory’s company of professional performers. This show is fun and appropriate for audiences of all ages. So grab a picnic blanket or a lawn chair, come out the the park, and get ready to belly laugh!

We Need Your Support! Click the Link to Read our Story and Make a Donation Today

For 25 years, Playmakers Lab, has been bringing creative writing residencies and performances to 3rd-6th graders in underfunded Chicago Public Schools. 25 years is a lot of students. That’s over 30,000 students in our classrooms.

In the words of one of our 3rd grade students, Jaiquan H from Henderson Elementary, “Sometimes you might get bodyslammed”. And friends, we got body slammed. Help us get back on our feet by clicking on the link to to read more about our story and make a donation today!

Click Here to Read More and Donate

FREE Online Teaching Tools for Teachers & Parents

During these uncertain times we want to bring comfort by sharing the voices of budding minds. PlayMakers Lab is thrilled to help young students create stories right at home. Click the button below for online learning resources, writing prompts, story adaptations, live workshops, and fresh digital content on Facebook.

Online Learning Resources

What is PlayMakers Laboratory?

A PlayMakers Laboratory teacher with child authors in a classroom
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PlayMakers Laboratory teaches creative writing workshops to students aged 7-13 in Chicago Public Schools and in our after-school program at Loyola Park.

PlayMakers Laboratory actors in a public performance
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PlayMakers Laboratory actors and musicians adapt student-written stories into sketches and songs, which are performed for the schools and later for the public.

Smiling kids in the audience at Celebration of Authors
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The students are celebrated and their voices are championed throughout Chicago.

Learn more about PlayMakers Laboratory