Posted by Mike M on March 16, 2012
School Shows
On Monday of this week, I sat in a circle with eight other Barrel of Monkeys artists and read through some stories from the Paderewski School. I couldn’t wait to get started on adapting those stories for the stage; I was also a little intimidated by how hard the process might be. Would we be fair to the original material and live up to the expectations and intentions of the authors? Could we make something as fun to watch as the stories are fun to read? Could we do it in only 18 total hours of rehearsal?
As it turns out, we did it in less than 12.
Today, about a half hour before the end of rehearsal, we officially finished the adaptation process. In 11 1/2 hours, we’ve turned 20 stories into stage pieces. I’m amazed at how quickly it happened and how easy it was to do the work. The process really does happen naturally when you’re working with good material, I guess, and we had plenty of that for this show!
Tomorrow and Saturday we will “peat” and repeat our lines, gestures, notes, blocking, dance steps, and animal noises until every sketch is ripe and ready to perform on Monday. Speaking of which, I’m off to look over some lines. This process happens fast, but no one lets that be an excuse for not doing it right or doing it well. Everyone is determined to make this show an off-Lawndale hit, and I’m not about to be the squeaky wheel.
Doing it again tomorrow,
- Mike
Posted by Mike M on March 13, 2012
School Shows
Today was day one of rehearsals for the Paderewski school show, which will take place next Monday. For me, it was a special day for two reasons. One, it’s my very first time going through the adaptation and rehearsal process with Barrel of Monkeys. Also, because I worked in the classroom before working on the show, I know the kids whose work I’m adapting. It’s just awesome to see their ideas come to life.
Working through the adaptation process today was more like being a student than an adult. At the beginning of the day, I was assigned a monkey buddy to answer any questions I might have. We did warm-ups just like we do in the classroom. Then, we read through the stories as a group and enjoyed their creativity together. We giggled about elderly cheerleaders, guffawed at an elephant who wouldn’t get out of a car, and gasped to learn about a librarian who is secretly a warlock. These are only a few of the stories we’re working on this week. There will be about twenty in the show.
A final note:
One thing I appreciated about Barrel of Monkeys from the moment I first saw “That’s Weird, Grandma,” is the respect the adults have for their students’ writing. Students of Paderewski, I am happy to report that your writing is in good hands! Not only are the adaptations looking great on stage, they are staying true to the authors’ intents. Congratulations, young authors: your work is getting a good production! As a playwright myself, I can assure you that this isn’t always the case. We’ll do our best to make it the case for you, and I think you’ll be happy with what you see.
More as the week progresses.
Until then,
Mike
Posted by Molly on March 10, 2012
That's Weird Grandma
TWG Weekly Update
There is a shift in the space/time continuum.
Daylight Savings? YES. AND…
That’s Weird Grandma, the Sunday Matinee Round starts…right…NOW.
Directed by Founding Artistic Director and current Artistic Director of Chicago’s famed Hypocrites, Round 6 promises to be a great mix of classic hits and contemporary splashes.
2 p.m. on Sundays? Perfect for kids. Written by kids. Kids, kids, kids.
And adults!
Come on down!
Say “Time Shift” to Kassi in the box office for discounted tickets!!
Posted by Halena on March 9, 2012
School Shows
After School Program
The highlight of my week is teaching every Monday at our Loyola Park After School Program.
Here are some rules at Loyola Park.
Imagine my excitement when it was time to start rehearsing for our winter show. Even though I’m not moving very fast these days (I’m 8 months pregnant), I decided to perform in the show anyway because I just couldn’t keep away. The stories are awesome and my “slow moving bear” character is probably the best choice I make in the show.
Here are some favorite moments so far:
Joe in the fish windbreaker backing up smooth rap by Jenny:
Nick and Jill (the two volunteer teachers for the red group) doing a Ninja Story, holy cow:
while Jeff and Anthony voice their characters from the keyboard, it is hilarious.
The show is Monday at 4pm at Loyola Park.
You should come.
It is awesome.
Posted by Rachel on March 5, 2012
After School Program
We at Loyola Park have had some pretty sweet Monkey Bucks Rewards this year!
What is a Monkey Buck reward? Well, it’s when you follow the Monkey Agreements, and Collaborate and Commit and Imagine, and do all your Meisners . . . then you earn a Monkey Buck. When you earn a ton of Monkey Bucks, we add them to the Hula Dancing Monkey’s Hula Skirt.
And when that Hula Skirt gets long enough, you win a Monkey Buck Reward, like Anthony’s Birthday!
That’s right. Anthony was in danger of not having a birthday this year, but because of the excellent students in the Loyola Park After-School Program, he got to have his birthday after all.
Now, I know you’re wondering, “What happens when we earn 600 Monkey Bucks?”
Well, the fact is, you get a Clown Visit, from Mr. C.L.Own (aka Jeff Trainor) to be precise.
He asked Zipporah whether she would rather balance a paint brush or a chair on her chin. She chose paint brush, so Mr. C.L.Own balanced a chair. Then he took a pie (or three) in the face.
Untitled from Barrel of Monkeys on Vimeo.
