Posted by Marika on January 2, 2015
Happy 2015, everybody! I hope you are all off to a very good start.
So far, I have eaten ice cream and a great deal of encased meats. So, I’ll put that one in the WIN category.
Speaking of winning, Jarvezz G. from The Brown School wrote a fascinating tale about a group of people who were secretly golf scorpions.
Once upon a time there were four golf scorpions but the thing that was scare about them was that nobody know they were scorpions and one day they were at a party an it was time for them to changed to scorpions and somebody had push them in the water and they got killed and all the people said hey want heppen to the world when they looked at the sky the moon was on fire and the scorpions was poisonous.
The End
If you’ve never seen this story performed before, it’s a real hole in one.
Another winner is Mariah A. from Avondale Logandale Elementary School, who brings us this delightful tale about a girl’s love for her refrigerator. I think we’ve all been there.
Lindsey was a refrigerator. She lived in a kitchen. She loved being opened by the little kids that lived in the house. But one day the family moved away! She was given away to charity. She was sad. She sat there in the same spot every day. Lindsey always looked at the other items being sold. The one day after six years, she saw the daughter of the family she belonged to. Anna, the daughter, had been looking for Lindsey as long as she could remember. And bought Lindsey and took her home. Anna had a family of her own and it brought Lindsey back so many memories that she couldn’t ask for anything else. THE END.
Both of these stories, as well as all your end-of-2014 favorites can be seen this Monday at 8pm. Can’t wait to see you there!
Posted by Amanda Farrar on December 29, 2014
Education
School Residencies
That's Weird Grandma
Company Members
Greetings!
It’s me, Joseph Schupbach, the new and fifth Artistic Director of Barrel of Monkeys. I am delighted and honored to be in this role. I am already having an incredible time watching artists work, teach, and create all while collaborating with Chicago Public School student authors!
While I started my new role in November, my relationship with Barrel of Monkeys began in 2005 when I was an intern.
I remember that summer very well. I spent most of my days with founding members Halena Kays and Kristie Koehler Vuocolo, which of course was a true delight. I would transcribe cassette tape (you heard me) recording of school shows, proofread grant applications, and sell t-shirts at the Monday night show (That’s Weird, Grandma - tickets available now ).
Even in these small tasks I fell in love with Barrel of Monkeys. I fell in love with the mission, the school programming, the sense of humor, the community, and the radical act of listening to children that is at the center of the work.
Since then, I have filled many other roles: volunteer, ensemble member, teaching artist, company member, lead teacher, director, board member, after-school program coordinator, education coordinator, marketing contractor, and now artistic director. After all of that, through all those jobs, almost 10 years later (this summer is my anniversary!) the things that attracted me to the Monkeys in 2005 are the same things that I value about my organization now.
And I have a feeling they are the things that you love about the Monkeys too:
- our mission,
- our school programming
- our sense of humor
- our strong community
- the radical act of listening to children that is at the center of our work
Unfortunately, all those things don’t fit into an acronym that you can cross stitch on a pillow or slap on a bumper sticker, but Barrel of Monkeys is changing the world one student, one journal, and one audience at a time.
Barrel of Monkeys strives to create, on a small scale, the world we want to share, create, and live in. A world where every idea IS a good idea, where collaboration is celebrated, and where young people are listened to, heard, and protected.
As the year comes to an end I invite you to share in the work that Barrel of Monkeys does daily, by making a donation. Much like in my intern days, every little bit helps. If you have already given your end of year gift, I thank you wholeheartedly. We are currently 85% of our way to our goal for the annual appeal! Check out this thermometer…not even $4,000 more to reach it!
Whether it’s 20 year old me transcribing scripts about space bugs or audience members like you giving even the smallest donation, support is key to our success.
If you have read this far, that means you are considering making a donation! Hooray! Thank you so much for all the support you give to our organization!
Happy New Year!
Joseph Schupbach
Artistic Director & Company Member
Posted by Marika on December 26, 2014
The week between Christmas and New Years is when Monkeys like to sit back, take stock and think on what they’ve accomplished over the past year. It’s also a good time to see a bunch of people in a short amount of time, because it’s the season to party, party, party! It seems everywhere you turn, there’s another party invitation in the mail. It makes a person – and a Monkey—feel loved.
Sometimes, though, parties can be stressful. What if you’re not wearing proper attire? Or the food has already run out because the party started at 3pm? What if you walk in and you don’t know anybody?
Jasmine H. from West Pullman Elementary School reminds us to just enjoy ourselves and let any of those fears melt away. You’ll have a great time, and you’ll always find some nice person to dance with. We’ve turned her story into an awesome song that we will love to share with you for the New Year!
Oh my god
I found my sister’s friend.
I’m holding
my girlfriends hand.
“Oh my.”
My friend said, “I can see a dead man’s head.”
I see a blond woman and she is coming.
I can hear
a clowns laughter, and he is fatter.
We are
at a new years eve party
and we are
Drinking Bacardi.
The countdown is just getting started
and my friend is having a ball.
Sadly, if you were dreaming of a White Christmas, you were out of luck this year. But, that doesn’t mean we can’t cross our fingers for some snow to fall soon. Our friend Casey R. from Dawes Elementary is hoping for snow to fall everywhere – even in Texas! You’ll be delighted by Casey’s story, entitled Snowflake.
Once upon a time there lived a snowflake called Snow. She was super lovable. She snowed every day in different places like different countries. She loved snow a lot because she was a snowflake. One day she was in Texas and she met another snowflake and they both died. But she could come alive again so they both had a wonderful time together so they both traveled together every where. The end.
Can’t wait to see you at the Neo-Futurarium, this Monday at 8pm!
Posted by Marika on December 19, 2014
That's Weird Grandma
TWG Weekly Update
Here at Barrel of Monkeys, we are a bit of a family. And, sometimes, family members leave home and strike out on their own and head to New York or L.A. or Montana.
We are so excited to have the one and only Brennan come home this week to present one of his favorite stories, The Tiny Door in the Back of my Closet by Tyler W. from the Cleveland School.
I had never noticed the tiny door in the back of my closet before. I opened and saw a friendly monster that was scared of me.
Then in a few more weeks and he knew me well and we started to play in my room. Then my mom came in and the monster had to hide. Then my mom said that I had to clean my room then my mom closed the door. After that the monster came out and help me clean my room and we finished the room quickly then we played some more and then the monster fainted. Then he got up in an hour. Then he died.
And another story about a Holiday visit…Monica’s Special Christmas Eve by Freda H. from South Loop. Everyone knows the fastest way to get anywhere is a straight line. But, when you are very bad at geography, it might take a bit longer.
Once upon a time there was a girl named Monica. Monica was in first grade and was
very bad at geography. One day she received a letter from Santa. It said:
Dear Monica,
You are invited to a party at my workshop. On the night of Christmas Eve, a reindeer will pick you up. But, you have to tell the reindeer where to go.
Love,
Santa
PS. There is an indoor swimming pool which is pretty warm.
“Wow, I must pack warm clothes and a swimsuit,” Monica said. During the middle of Christmas Eve she heard a bell ringing. “That must be Santa’s reindeer,” Monica said.
Monica dressed up and got onto a sleigh. “Now which way shall we go,” the reindeer asked. “My teacher told us to memorize South is up, East is left, North is down and West is right, so we have to go South which is up.” It took a long time to get to Santa’s workshop because Monica got all mixed up. When they finally arrived the party was
already over. “I missed the party,” Monica sobbed. “I saved some toys and a piece of cake for you.” “Yay,” Monica cheered.
Can’t wait to see you for this Extra Special Holiday Guest Round…Monday at 8pm!
Posted by Joe on December 5, 2014
That's Weird Grandma
TWG Weekly Update
Touring Performances
Here comes Granny Claus, Here comes Granny Claus…
It’s the most wonderful time of the year: the holiday round of That’s Weird, Grandma!
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Here are the incredible stories that will be featured on Monday!
THE SEVEN PENGUIN’S ADVENTURE by Latyra B, Kenny R, Ladarious H, Howard M, Ieka H, Brandon S, Charlene H, Brittany T, Marlisa B., Henry Suder
MONICA’S SPECIAL CHRISTMAS EVE by Freda H., South Loop
LOVE IN HEAVEN by Corodero P., Chalmers School of Excellence
LOVE IS ENOUGH FOR A BEAR by Ameena A., Johnson School of Excellence
THE SHOPPING HABIT by Kayla R., Trumbull Elementary
SNOWFLAKE by Casey R., Dawes Elementary
GROWN UP PARTY AGE UP TO 22 by Daviaynna H., New Sullivan Elementary
UNTITLED (Setting: Christmas Ball) by Kyjuan M, Learn Campbell Campus
UNTITLED (Horsewolf) by Tamarra M. Dewey School of Excellence
PEAR AND APPLE by Nick, Pritzker School
NIGHTMARE IN MY EYE by Damiah D., Learn Campbell Campus
THE CRAZY PIRATE by Trinity N., Dixon Elementary
I BELIEVE WHEN YOU BUY A TOY YOU WILL GET THE WHOLE SET by Vincent C., Little Village Academy
LAST CHRISTMAS (True Story Day) by Cantrell S., Learn Campbell Campus
MY STREETS IS ALWAYS QUIET by Takayla N., Malcom Elementary School
FLH by Freddie H. Dewey School of Excellence
Say “One day she was in Texas” to Ambar at the box office to receive discounted tickets!
See you at the show!
Joe
