Posted by Eunice on November 17, 2013
School Shows
After School Program
A wave of high energy took us from our first school show right into rehearsals for the second one of the year. This time we’re showcasing the work of the brilliant young authors in the Loyola Park After School Program. We are so impressed by the variety of stories and the incredibly imaginative voice of each author. Because the Loyola Park students have written stories from a range of genres, this is sure to be a fun and dynamic show. With topics from science to zombies to dating, we’re getting ready for one wild adventure after the other!
Check out how much fun we had reading and adapting stories at our first rehearsal.
Posted by Bradford on November 15, 2013
School Shows
Boy, oh boy.. I am beat. But it’s the best kind of tired in the world yall. We just finished the first show of the year at the Federico Garcia Lorca school and it was a blast. It was great to see the kiddos again, and I was crazy proud of them for being an amazing audience and cheering, even if their stories were not performed. Well done my friends, well done. And after 18 hours of hard work, by an amazing cast, led by our fearless director Molly B, the show flew by once we hit the stage. Such is life in the theater, fleeting moments that can create memories that last a life time.
So to the 2013-2014 3rd grade classes of Lorca elementary….. Thanks for the memories!!!! The show wouldn’t have been possible with out you. Yes!!!!
Posted by Molly on November 11, 2013
That's Weird Grandma
TWG Weekly Update
“Chicago’s Weird, Grandma” will feature TWO guest artists this evening: the Neo-Futurists and Bailiwick Chicago. These two staples of the Windy City stage experience, will present two very different offerings:
From the Neo-Futurists…
A Builder by Deavon H., Paderewski Elementary
One day a man name Tomiss was buindaing great house one house a hammer and wood it was falling a apart. The End.
From Bailiwick Chicago…
“Thriller vs. Party Rock” by Antwon, Imani, Erick, Tyeler, Martabian, and Christopher, Learn Campbell Academy
One day me and my friend Erika went to Texas. Erika wanted to visit the rodeo! So we went to the rodeo! At the rodeo there was one million zombie cowboys living there. They were doing the “Thriller.” We freak out! And then get hypnotized! By the zombie cowboys. And they made us dance like old ladies. And that’s when they tried to eat us. We ran away! All million zombies chased after us! We ran, and ran, and turned on a radio. And everyone was silent. And “Party Rock” came on. And the zombies loved it! And we all danced together and we had a dance off! And Erika won! She won $50 billion! And Erika told all the zombies, “Go back to your habitat!” The End.
With Turkey Day upon us, the Grandma Monkeys happily bring back two Thankgiving classics:
THANKSGIVING by James, Harold Washington Elementary
Once there was a family who’s having Thanksgiving. The boy’s name is John, his mother’s name is Jenny, and his aunties and his uncle’s names are Jack and Dorthy. Before they ate John made a Thanksgiving toast. Everybody says are you sure about this. He says yes I am. Jack the uncle said, this is a wonderful thing to do. Dorthy his auntie is waiting for the food, but she doesn’t want to toast. He toast anyway. This is what he said I love all of you and I wish you a very happy Thanksgiving. The End.
A GIRL THAT WANTS TO EAT TURKEY BUT CANNOT REACH by Gwen, Antonesha, David, Edward, Kourtney, Tangela, Kohn School
Once upon a time there was a girl named Ashley Sarah who loved turkey! She
wanted her friends to come over but they were too busy, so they couldn’t make it.
So she had to eat the turkey by herself. But she knew she couldn’t eat the whole
turkey because she was on a diet. She brought a big ole plate and ate the turkey
anyway and she got fat. She finally ate all of the turkey and she loved it. Finally
her friends came at the wrong moment. All the friends go out to eat and Ashley
Sarah’s grandpa calls to say that he can’t come over because he wants to go to
a meeting. She says “Don’t worry about it, the turkey is all gone.” And she took
a nap. But the meeting got canceled and they all want to the restaurant together
with old people and ate turkey! The End
Join us tonight, and say “Gobble Gobble” at the Box Office for discounted tickets!
Posted by Bradford on November 8, 2013
School Shows
Just a few weeks ago, we wrapped up our residency at the Garcia Lorca Elementary School, and it twas a blast. The kids were amazing, wrote fantastic stories, and proved to be great actors to boot. Oh yeah, it can be a little sad at the end of six weeks, when you walk out of the class room for the last time. But hey… don’t cry for me my friends, because the Lorca school show kicks off in a week. That’s right good people, the first school show of the year is going down, and it’s going to be Awesome town.
Nancy and Tom are singing in the rain
Three 3rd grade classes. Close to 600 stories. To say it was a tough job selecting stories for the show would be the understatement of the year. Never the less expect football games on the moon, tributes to 90’s video games, and of course our trade mark Barrel of Monkey song and dance. I love it.
Crowd watches on as Eunice belts out a magnificent solo
Last but not least, it’s always a pleasure to see how a story makes it’s way from the class room, into the rehearsal hall and on to the stage. Always a pleasure seeing kids put pencil to paper, and realize they have more to share with world than they’ll ever know. Oh yeah!! So here’s to Lorca… the first school show of the year… and to a year of great stories, from the many great residencies yet to come. YES!!!!!
Posted by Julia on November 6, 2013
Touring Performances
Woo boy, aren’t WE lucky? Next Monday’s performance of “Chicago’s Weird, Grandma” will feature TWO fantastic Chicago theater companies: The Neo-Futurists and Bailiwick Chicago Theater.
Kurt Chiang from the Neos answered a few questions for us about working Monkey-style.
What is it like to collaborate with the BOM team?
Monkeys and Neos have a long history together. For one thing, we share a space; “That’s Weird, Grandma” has, as far as I know, always been at the Neo-Futurarium. Also, a LOT of our people mix. Many Monkeys do Neo-Futurist work, and we even share company members, associates, and alumni, including Ryan Walters, Kristie Koehler-Vuocolo, Jonathan Maestro, Brenda Arellano, Anthony Courser, and myself. All this to say, “Of course! It’s a joy!”
How did you choose the story The Neo-Futurists will be performing?
I chose the shortest story possible. Neo work is about brevity, and/or getting to the core idea/feeling of something. I also wanted to personally relate to the story, in some way. The one I picked is about building a thing, and failing. As a kid, the first memory I have of creating a story was about not having anything to write about. This made me interested in writing, thereafter joining a summer fiction workshop.
If the Neos had a “spcial sauce” what would be in it?
Something really obvious. Maybe that’s the wrong word. I mean to say, it wouldn’t be secretive. How about, blatant? Like cashews. But not gritty. A hint of cashew butter. Certainly garlic. Dill? Do people actually enjoy things with special sauces?
Now let’s get to know Bailiwick Chicago Theater…
Bailiwick Chicago is a non-profit professional company with a mission to produce contemporary musicals and plays, reinvent classic musicals, and develop new work, while sharing a powerful and authentic theatrical experience. They celebrate and engage our community through diverse programming, artistic partnerships and outreach opportunities.
Bailiwick Chicago is a theatre company that was formed by a group of dedicated actors, directors, and production professionals after Bailiwick Repertory Theater closed its doors in September 2009. This group, which we call the “Collective”, is the artistic ensemble responsible for the artistic mission and vision of the company. In its first 2 seasons, Bailiwick Chicago garnered 28 award nominations and received critical acclaim for its innovative Chicago productions.
Bailiwick Chicago has chosen the story “Thriller vs. Party Rock” by Antwon, Imani, Erick, Tyeler, Martabian, and Christopher from Learn Campbell Academy. We’re sure they’ll bring a special musical flair to the story!
Get tickets to be in the audience next Monday, November 11 to see what these two companies can do! 8 p.m. at the Neo-Futurarium, 5153 N. Ashland. Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for kids.
