Posts about specific BOM company members.
Posted by Joe on July 16, 2012
That's Weird Grandma
Company Members
You: I love That’s, Weird Grandma
Joe: I am so glad, so do we
You: I was thinking about coming to the show tonight, but I am not sure
Joe: You should! It’s going to be a fun one!
You: What’s going to be so fun about tonight?
Joe: Oh man. I’ll tell you. But I am going to do so in the context of a formula.
You: Okay. Hey didn’t you go to a Math Science Magnet High School?
Joe: Yes. But this is a fake formula. I learned how to make fake formulas from myself on my childhood swing set in my backyard.
You: Ok, carry on.
Joe: Here it is:
brand new ensemble member Immanuel Guest’s 2nd TWG show
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company member CARLY CIARROCCHI visiting from the east coast will be in the audience
+
the debut of the new TWG closer written by company member CURTIS WILLIAMS
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A FUN NIGHT. (Which is, in fact, the code word for a discounted ticket! Say “A FUN NIGHT.” at the box office and get some dough chopped off your ticket.)
You: I am there. How do I make reservations again?
Joe: Order tickets online. We are fancy like that. Reservations may also be made by calling our reservation line: 312-409-1954.
You: I forget exactly how you all get from page to stage and whatnot.
Joe: Oh! Watch this video made by Del Sato. It explains everything.
You & Joe: See you tonight
Posted by Joe on July 12, 2012
Company Members
This was a big hit on our facebook page so we thought we would share it here!
Posted by Amanda Farrar on June 28, 2012
Company Members
Although I’ve been back to work since June, this week marks my first full week back in the office since my dear child was born back in March. Putting that small small person into day care is not easy everyday, but man oh man, it is easier knowing what an amazing organization I get to go be Executive Director for!
I won’t even go into detail about how this amazing staff made the most successful and most fun annual benefit to date happen or how Celebration of Authors went off without a hitch and with TONS of authors in the full audience or how I came back to a staff that was tired but still juggling all those balls I threw up in the air while I was full-time-at-home mom.
Instead, I wanted to tell you about how exciting this week has been! We are a small staff, but we are mighty. We may be out of the schools for the summer, but that doesn’t mean we are resting on our laurels – no way.
Artistic Director Molly Brennan is ablaze with plans for “That’s Weird, Abuelita” opening July 25, but also planning for our big company retreat in August AND putting together a plan for an amazing project in the fall. I can’t tell yet, but keep an ear out for an announcement in July!
Not to mention “That’s Weird, Grandma” is happening NOW and it has been lovely to see director Kate Staiger in the office pulling out oldies but goodies and adding to the Unicorn Trapper Keeper which, as far as I can tell, holds all the secrets to the success of TWG for the past 11 years.
On the program side of the office, Programming Director Elizabeth Levy and Education Coordinator Joseph Schupbach are getting schools scheduled for next year, getting all ready for the big assessment week, AND working on two potential expansions for the upcoming school year.
Finally, I don’t know where any of us would be without Company Manager Maggie Fullilove-Nugent keeping everyone scheduled, budgeted, and generally sane.
I don’t know how they do it, and they all do it with such great pleasure. I didn’t forget how great this office was to be in and these people to work with, but I appreciate it and them even more having been away for a time.
Oh, Barrel of Monkeys. I love this love affair we all have with you.
Thank YOU, gentle readers, for supporting the organization in every way you do so that (completely selfishly) I can come here and do really great, really fun, really meaningful work.
Oh what? What was that? You want to see a picture of the baby? Well…okay.
Posted by Joe on June 18, 2012
Touring Performances
Company Members
Celebration of Authors
It’s Magic!
Celebration 2012 was pure magic!
Thank you to all who came out and supported our authors!
And a very special thank you to the Spencer Foundation for sponsoring the event!
Special THANK YOU to the following people and organizations:
Adventure Stage Chicago staff, Chad Kenward, Marla Caceres, Dan Lange, Erick Deshaun Dorris, Erica Halverson, Nancy Casas, Emilio Williams, Aimee Bass, Del Sato, Steve Sato, Kyle Hamman, Tim Soszko, Chris Matthews, Tai Palmgren, Hannah Schupbach, Chicago Public Schools, Academy for Urban School Leadership (AUSL), Mary Hopkins and the staff at Loyola Park, Carla Mayer and Nikki Jolly at Chicago Park District, Communities in Schools of Chicago, the Neo-Futurists.
and, most importantly, all of our fabulous authors and their families!
Be sure to check out the incredible pictures of the dress rehearsal, show, and cookies and juice reception. Everybody who is anybody was eating cookies and juice.
Also take a peek at the fancy COA authors’ photo booth.
What a magical way to celebrate the 11-12 school year!
Don’t forget to come see That’s Weird, Grandma (featuring all COA 2012 stories)
AND
That’s Weird, Abuelita
Monkey On!
Posted by Joe on May 22, 2012
Company Members
School Shows
After School Program
Barrel of Monkeys runs an after-school program at the Loyola Park Field House, in Chicago’s north side neighborhood, Rogers Park.
Monday was our special end of the year show that was written and performed by 7-13-Year-Old Students
There were hand puppets, shadow puppets, songs, dances, movement pieces, sound effects, and much much more
Above are shadow puppets from “Object Survival” by Bella
Here’s the rundown on what happened:
The Red Group Presents:The League of Awesome
By: Mateo, Shiloh, Oliver, Joseph, Paris, Gabby, Ines, Marlone, Gabriel, Jacob, Melanie, Eidan, Frank, & Ronin
The Gold Group Presents: Monkeys on the News
By: Zara, Nyah, Jackson, Jayson, Maluboo, Victor, Nia, Greta, Joshua, John, Feyisayo, Stephanie, Michael Angelo, David, Francisco, Kaitlyn, Maya, & Chloe
The Blue Group Presents:
Object Survival by Bella
One Scary Halloween Night: Beginning by Andre & Busayo
Food by Everyone
One Scary Halloween Night: Middle by Anthony, Jeremy, & Kennedy
One Scary Halloween Night: End by Isabella, Khiyran, & Jaerell
Spooky Family Vacation by Lois, Iris, & Jaerell
The Vase and the Children by Isabella, Busayo, & Jeremy
The Sneaky Girl by Busayo
Tacos by Kennedy
The Basketball Game Show by Jeremy
Isabella’s Summer by Isabella
Crazy by Chantrell
The Assassin by Jaerell
Meeting Oliver by Lois
Dance by Iris
Adapted & Performed by: Lois, Bella, Jaerell, Busayo, Kennedy, Jeremy, Isabella, Chantrell, Iris, Tim, Kassi, Alea, Jenny, & Ricky
Directed by Joseph Schupbach
And now a message from Rachel!
Thanks for Another Fantastic Year! Thank you for allowing us to work with your talented children! Their creativity has inspired us throughout the year. We are grateful to the Loyola Park Staff, to our volunteers, and to our Loyola Park parents for making this program possible. We could not do it without your support! We look forward to seeing you in the Fall!
Sincerely,
Rachel Wilson
After-School Program Coordinator
