Posted by Molly on October 8, 2012
That's Weird Grandma
TWG Weekly Update
The tremendous cast of Chicago’s Weird, Grandma features:
Eric Deshaun Dorris
Diana Lawrence
Jeff Trainor
Nicholas Hart
Dan Rumney
Linsey Falls
Michelle Alba
Zoe Schwartz
Dixie Uffelman
Rachel Wilson
Elizabeth Levy
Each week, we will have Special Guest Stars adapt and perform a story from our students.
Opening week Guests are:
The House Theatre of Chicago
and
Steppenwolf Theatre Company!
Make your reservations now to enjoy such favorites as “The Ugliest Twin Girls” and “ISAT Werewolf Day” in addition to the Grandma premiere of “Twilight”.
Password for discounted tickets is “Do you know who I am?” Ask that at the box office for a discount!
See you there!
Posted by Joe on October 1, 2012
That's Weird Grandma
Touring Performances
A week from today Chicago’s Weird, Grandma opens with…
A special adaptation by House Theatre of Chicago!
Come see the House celebrate students work.
Here is an interview between you and our artistic director Molly Brennan:
You: Tell me about The House Theatre of Chicago
Molly: The House Theatre of Chicago strives to “unite Chicago in the spirit of Community through amazing feats of Storytelling.” They had a huge impact on the Chicago scene in 2002 with “The Terrible Tragedy of Peter Pan.” They set a precedent for themselves to tell these sweeping epic stories that are familiar and strike the heart and the psyche. Using a variety of storytelling techniques, these guys manage to build these massive-scale productions in intimate spaces. In all the shows I’ve seen there’s this feeling of conjuring. Like they’re making magic. There’s often a danger element, too, which of course I always dig. One of my very favorite experiences as an actor in Chicago was being part of “Curse of the Crying Heart”, in which I got to play a flying Samurai. This is the kind of thing they do: Putting actors on wires with swords in their hands and having them fight a demon, accompanied by a live rock band.
You: What will The House Theatre of Chicago bring to the adaptation process that is unique?
Molly: The House is in the business of epic storytelling. I’m looking forward to an adaptation of a BOM kid’s story that has this massive feel to it. Four House Company Members (Marika Mashburn, Dixie Uffelman, Chris Mathews and Cliff Chamberlain…oh, wait, and me!) also work with Barrel of Monkeys. So I know that this team has what we call “the Monkey Heart”, which is full of respect and celebration for our authors’ work and a drive to work at the top of one’s artistic power.
You: How else can I experience The House Theatre of Chicago if I like what I see or want to know more?
Molly: There are two things you can see right now:
The Beginning of their New Trilogy, The Iron Stag King: Part One, has stampeded on to the Chopin stage. Nathan Allen and Chris Mathews co-wrote it, and it features two Monkeys: Cliff Chamberlain and Ezekiel Sulkes. It runs through October 21. A word of advice: Sit “in the box” (you’ll see what I mean) and go for the front row. Go to their website for showtimes and tickets.
Also, the House’s Dennis Watkins, a Magician literally from generations of Magicians, does his spectacular act in an intimate setting: a secret room at the Palmer House. Friday nights only! Learn more information and get reservations.
Learn more about Chicago’s Weird, Grandma!
Posted by Joe on September 28, 2012
After School Program
Barrel of Monkey has a new addition to our program offerings!
We will be conducting a brand-new after-school program at the brand-new Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts at The University of Chicago!
Each session is led by two Barrel of Monkeys actor-educators and includes games, group story writing, student performances and creative writing time. Students will engage with many different writing forms including, but not limited to: radio plays, acrostic poems, haikus, creative nonfiction, commercial jingles, monologues, science fiction and newspaper reporting. Participants in the program also explore many acting and performance techniques and learn the value of working as a supportive ensemble. Each session ends with a showcase, and our final performance in the spring of 2013 will feature a full performance of students’ work by BOM’s professional actor-educators!
The program meets every Wednesday from 4:15-5:15 at the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts at 915 E. 60th Street on the University of Chicago campus. Classes for the Fall session begin October 10 and conclude December 5 (and will take November 21 off for the Thanksgiving holiday).
For information and registration for this program, go here!
Posted by Jeff Trainor on September 26, 2012
School Shows
The 2012/2013 Season has begun and the students from Learn Campbell Campus are starting the year off right! We have only had one day of rehearsal and already the Learn Campbell fall show has love, heartbreak, annoying boyfriends, bananas, and a really proud mother!
Look at Brad and Zoe go!
Nick is learning a great lesson here.
The Characters are taking flight in this show!
I can’t wait to see what else the students from Learn Campbell Campus have in store for us!
SEE YOU SOON!
Posted by Rachel on September 18, 2012
After School Program
We’re gearing up for what I believe to be the 8th year (Fact Checkers, please?) of our After-School Program at Loyola Park!
Each fall, a new cohort of talented young writer-performers joins the Monkey ranks, and each fall, their imagination, collaboration, and commitment astound me.
Oh, did I mention that’s our motto?:
IMAGINATION
COLLABORATION
COMMITMENT
These three magic words shine all over the faces of last year’s veteran crew, some of whom will be returning to the program for their fifth consecutive year.
We’ll also have a couple of stellar peer volunteers helping us out, including Dell who developed Barrel of Monkeys’ promotional video “Birth of a Story” and (fingers crossed) Sebby who co-penned “Tough Love.” I encourage you to check out Joe’s video based on that dialogue here.
My absolute favorite thing about this program is that our students return year after year. BUT, we still have a few slots left. Students 7-13 can register for this free program at Loyola Park—online registration is currently full. Or for information, call Loyola Park Supervisor Mary Hopkins at 773-262-8605.
And now a promise fulfilled . . .
We are lucky to have extraordinary teachers at Loyola Park. Collectively, they have performed all over town and have taught at Second City, After-School Matters, Words @ Play, The Actors Gymnasium, The Girls Leadership Institute, Northwestern Mime Company, Ag47, Drama Girls, CircEsteem, and more.
At our orientation, I tested their extraordinary skills at guessing things about each other . . . For example, which teacher has a mild obsession with the OC? And which one keeps Magic the Gathering cards in his pocket? I’ll never tell, but Anthony and Brandon were each able to make five correct guesses. And for that, they have won a poem.
Oh, the brave teaching team of Brandanthony!
It’s been split to forestall teacher entropy
Brandon’s now with Rani
Anthony’s got Zoe
They can howl, but please guys, no lycanthropy!
Okay, so the rhymes swayed the content a bit. The real reason they’ve been split up is that we like to pair new LP teachers with veterans, and while I’m sure they’ll miss each other, I think they’re both quite happy with their new teaching partners!
