Thank you to the Monkeys
Posted by Amanda Farrar on December 15, 2010
Company Members School Residencies
We thought you would enjoy this note written to the Monkeys from Catlalli R. from Columbia Explorers Academy.
Happy Holidays!
Playmakers Blog
Monkeys Add Holiday Hats to our Silly Hat Collection
Posted by Maggie on December 12, 2010
It’s the Holiday Round of That’s Weird, Grandma and the Monkeys are in the holiday spirit!
We started the day with an incredible spread of apple crisp, ham, bagels and coffee. All brought by our amazing cast members!
Not to mention the decor of our snack table, complete with a tree, presents and snowman napkins (maybe even a Snowman from Pluto)...
After a few snacks we jumped into reading all the new and wonderful stories from our authors. Here is Erick Dorris and NEW cast member Zoe Schwartz ready to bring some wonderful holiday characters to life.
Elizabeth Levy, our Program Director, just couldn’t wait to try on a new Holiday Hat!
Artistic Director, Luke Hatton, of course donning his reindeer gear, directs this amazing cast.
We can’t wait to see you at That’s Weird, Grandma’s: Holiday Round! Every Monday at 8pm.
The BOM holiday season officially begins Monday at TWG
Posted by Luke on December 12, 2010
That's Weird Grandma TWG Weekly Update
The brand sparklin’ new cast of the HOLIDAY ROUND of TWG is attractive, talented and already in the holiday spirit. A while back, an informal tradition of having a snack table at rehearsals started wherein people bring munchies or baked goods to share. This morning for our 10am-1pm rehearsal Brandon, frequent provider of baked goods for the snack table, brought in a whole delicious ham! Erick brought pastrami, cheese, coffee, cookies and elaborate holiday decor. It was the best snack table we’ve ever had.
The ham was so delicious/distracting that I would wander over, starting picking at it and then think, “oh wait, I should probably be watching this show I’m directing.” For a moment, I understood the protagonist’s struggle in The Girl That Wants to Eat Turkey But Cannot Reach.
This holiday show is going to be one for the ages.
Celebration of Authors favorite, The Time We Had a Snowball Fight, is joining the (already powerhouse) run. A story from this year’s Avondale show Santa and Taco Bell also makes it’s premiere.
Many more new and instant classics are waiting to be experienced by YOU.
You simply must come.
$2 off at the box office when you say “The Big Prom”.
Stories in the show with links below!
Stockton was Rockton!
Posted by Philip on December 11, 2010
We just finished our performance at the STOCKTON school. And I gotta say it ROCKED a TON.
I was a teacher at the school, and I got to say there is a huge difference when you personally know the kids that wrote the stories. I got a kick at their reactions to their work onstage, and we were able to perform stories by every single child in the entire residency in this show (and it was only 55 minutes…way to go Director Kate Staiger). They feel like rockstars for a day and you feel like you made a difference.
Anyway, enough schmultz! SHOW ME THE PICTURES AND VIDEO!
Here’s rare rehearsal footage of Ricky Harris’ song - click the link to see it! My Sister Fell in Garbage
Ricky has got to be the king of writing 30 second songs.
The sister, by the by, is the amazing Candy Lawrence who volunteer taught at Stockton and joined us in rehearsals. She cracked us up constantly. Let’s hope she throws us a surprise party soon!
Photos? You got it!
This visual piece took a literal approach to the “tag-you’re it” game SPIDERS AND FLIES! 
The Spiders lost and had to do jumping jacks!
We’re all friends in the end.
Ricky can’t get this ring off his finger!
Good thing his mom had some soap!
I gotta say I can’t wait to teach and perform at Stockton again. LOVE those kids! And their imaginations!
Then again, you always knew BOM was unique and special!
Posted by Amanda Farrar on December 10, 2010
To tell the truth, I never saw myself working in fundraising. I always thought of it just as asking for money. And, with my husband in sales, it seemed so improbable that one could be successful as a fundraiser! Here you are asking for money, and offering nothing in return.
But then, I began interning for a development department. I learned what goes behind all these asks for money. I learned that behind each request and monetary gift is an individual that you come to know, appreciate, and many times, befriend. Most importantly, I learned that fundraising is not just about asking for and receiving money. It is gaining support for a mission that both you and the donor feel strongly about.
I have come to understand that fundraising is building a community in support of a mission, and only when this occurs can the mission be fulfilled. I have been part of many such community-building efforts over time, and have seen the achievements of organizations as a direct result of the support from individuals in those communities.
Although I have enjoyed working with donors at all of my previous positions, there is something unique and special about the donors at Barrel of Monkeys. Maybe it is the joy that seems to penetrate each and every aspect of the company. Anyone who has attended a performance of “That’s Weird, Grandma” can bear witness to the contagiousness of the joy we Monkeys experience doing the work that we do. It makes sense that our donors would catch this wonderful sickness!
So often I have the pleasure of thanking those who support our efforts and make successes reality, but it never seems like enough! Therefore, I’d like to embrace this season wholly and tell you about some of the amazing individuals who make Barrel of Monkeys such a pleasure to work for.
At this time last year, BOM sent out our first “Sponsor-A-Story” campaign solicitation. John answered the call in the form of a monthly donation – at the beginning giving $15, the cost of bringing 1.5 stories from a child to the page. Every month I look forward to the card that arrives from John with a personal note of thanks to us for doing the work that we do. John and I have become pen pals of sorts, having never officially met one another, exchanging wonderful thank-yous over and over again. I keep John’s cards at my desk and on my wall as encouragement (pictures of select cards below!)! I look forward to the possibility of meeting him at our Monkey-O-Kee fundraiser (Save the date: January 30) and maybe hearing his rendition of “Just Like Heaven”!
I can’t talk about donors without highlighting the ongoing efforts of our board of directors! A group of 12 individuals give their time, talents, and funds year round providing guidance and assurance that the company is moving in the right direction. We are always looking for stellar individuals to add to these ranks. As I reflect upon the process of wooing potential board members, I recall the first conversation I had with our newest board member about BOM. I saw my excitement for the mission reflected in his responses, and now as part of the Monkey family, like his fellow board members our newest addition is an amazing steward of the work of our organization and is a fantastic partner to the staff and board alike.
Last but not least, gigantic thanks are deserved by our Monkey family and friends. They recognize our labors of love, and in their support of us individually, they support the larger vision of the organization and thus are connected to each and every student with whom we work.
Even though it doesn’t seem like enough, I would like to thank you for personally making my job an absolute joy. Every day I come to work, I am confident that we are making a positive impact in the world, and it’s only with your support that any of this is possible.
If you haven’t already joined this incredible Monkey family, consider it this holiday season! You, like our friend John, can help a story from a student come to be for as little as $10. You will get something in return! Besides a wonderful warm feeling, I will send you a story from one of our recent residencies. Or, in the season of giving, sponsor a story in honor of a loved one, and I’ll send them a heart-felt, silly, and uplifting story like this one! (Monica’s Special Christmas Eve)
From all of us at BOM, have a safe and happy holiday!