Posted by Amanda Farrar on December 29, 2014
That's Weird Grandma
Company Members
School Residencies
Greetings!
It’s me, Joseph Schupbach, the new and fifth Artistic Director of Barrel of Monkeys. I am delighted and honored to be in this role. I am already having an incredible time watching artists work, teach, and create all while collaborating with Chicago Public School student authors!
While I started my new role in November, my relationship with Barrel of Monkeys began in 2005 when I was an intern.
I remember that summer very well. I spent most of my days with founding members Halena Kays and Kristie Koehler Vuocolo, which of course was a true delight. I would transcribe cassette tape (you heard me) recording of school shows, proofread grant applications, and sell t-shirts at the Monday night show (That’s Weird, Grandma - tickets available now ).
Even in these small tasks I fell in love with Barrel of Monkeys. I fell in love with the mission, the school programming, the sense of humor, the community, and the radical act of listening to children that is at the center of the work.
Since then, I have filled many other roles: volunteer, ensemble member, teaching artist, company member, lead teacher, director, board member, after-school program coordinator, education coordinator, marketing contractor, and now artistic director. After all of that, through all those jobs, almost 10 years later (this summer is my anniversary!) the things that attracted me to the Monkeys in 2005 are the same things that I value about my organization now.
And I have a feeling they are the things that you love about the Monkeys too:
- our mission,
- our school programming
- our sense of humor
- our strong community
- the radical act of listening to children that is at the center of our work
Unfortunately, all those things don’t fit into an acronym that you can cross stitch on a pillow or slap on a bumper sticker, but Barrel of Monkeys is changing the world one student, one journal, and one audience at a time.
Barrel of Monkeys strives to create, on a small scale, the world we want to share, create, and live in. A world where every idea IS a good idea, where collaboration is celebrated, and where young people are listened to, heard, and protected.
As the year comes to an end I invite you to share in the work that Barrel of Monkeys does daily, by making a donation. Much like in my intern days, every little bit helps. If you have already given your end of year gift, I thank you wholeheartedly. We are currently 85% of our way to our goal for the annual appeal! Check out this thermometer…not even $4,000 more to reach it!
Whether it’s 20 year old me transcribing scripts about space bugs or audience members like you giving even the smallest donation, support is key to our success.
If you have read this far, that means you are considering making a donation! Hooray! Thank you so much for all the support you give to our organization!
Happy New Year!
Joseph Schupbach
Artistic Director & Company Member
Posted by Marika on December 26, 2014
The week between Christmas and New Years is when Monkeys like to sit back, take stock and think on what they’ve accomplished over the past year. It’s also a good time to see a bunch of people in a short amount of time, because it’s the season to party, party, party! It seems everywhere you turn, there’s another party invitation in the mail. It makes a person – and a Monkey—feel loved.
Sometimes, though, parties can be stressful. What if you’re not wearing proper attire? Or the food has already run out because the party started at 3pm? What if you walk in and you don’t know anybody?
Jasmine H. from West Pullman Elementary School reminds us to just enjoy ourselves and let any of those fears melt away. You’ll have a great time, and you’ll always find some nice person to dance with. We’ve turned her story into an awesome song that we will love to share with you for the New Year!
Oh my god
I found my sister’s friend.
I’m holding
my girlfriends hand.
“Oh my.”
My friend said, “I can see a dead man’s head.”
I see a blond woman and she is coming.
I can hear
a clowns laughter, and he is fatter.
We are
at a new years eve party
and we are
Drinking Bacardi.
The countdown is just getting started
and my friend is having a ball.
Sadly, if you were dreaming of a White Christmas, you were out of luck this year. But, that doesn’t mean we can’t cross our fingers for some snow to fall soon. Our friend Casey R. from Dawes Elementary is hoping for snow to fall everywhere – even in Texas! You’ll be delighted by Casey’s story, entitled Snowflake.
Once upon a time there lived a snowflake called Snow. She was super lovable. She snowed every day in different places like different countries. She loved snow a lot because she was a snowflake. One day she was in Texas and she met another snowflake and they both died. But she could come alive again so they both had a wonderful time together so they both traveled together every where. The end.
Can’t wait to see you at the Neo-Futurarium, this Monday at 8pm!
Posted by Amanda Farrar on December 22, 2014
Barrel of Monkeys. Kids Write It. We Do It. World Saved. That’s who we are and you’ve seen that in action at That’s Weird, Grandma. But what does that really mean and whom do we impact?
Kids Write It.
Barrel of Monkeys goes into elementary schools in Chicago Public Schools and teaches 3rd-5th graders creative writing workshops. What do students and classroom teachers have to say about it?
“Barrel of Monkeys was the best program I ever did in my whole 3rd grade career or semester… In my class we learned to respect and it was the best…Barrel of Monkeys made me feel inspired because they taught me life lessons. They were my inspirations.” —Brooke P., 3rd grade student
“BOM supported students with the idea that every idea is a good idea that fostered students’ independence and confidence in writing. I learned some great ways to engage students and some excellent classroom management skills.” —Rachel Hughes, 3rd grade teacher
We Do It.
Students get to have their powerful words celebrated by the entire school community when professional Barrel of Monkeys actors transform their written words into an original show and perform it live at their school. After we perform student work for them in their schools, we bring their stories to the public in our critically-acclaimed show That’s Weird, Grandma. What do our audiences say about our school and public performances?
“Barrel of Monkeys made me feel proud of myself because I got to write stories and I liked to write stories with them. And they made me feel special because they performed my story, which I wrote with my friends.” —John Q., 3rd grade student
“From start to finish, the show is high-energy, silly and, at times, utterly ridiculous in the best possible way. That’s Weird, Grandma can be likened to watching a live version of The Animaniacs, but with original pieces that change every performance.” —New City Stage
World Saved.
Here’s where you come in! Please join us in celebrating the power of children’s voices by making a donation to support Barrel of Monkeys. Thank you to everyone who has already given a donation to support our work. In fact, almost 200 individuals have already given gifts to push us towards our total goal of $25,000!
$100 Brings Barrel of Monkeys to One Student
$50 Brings One Monkey Teacher to One Class
$25 Sponsors the Creation of One Original Song
$10 Sponsors One Story from One Student
$2 Provides One Writing Journal to One Student
Go ahead and give...You will like it!
Thank you,
Amanda Farrar
Executive Director
Posted by Marika on December 19, 2014
That's Weird Grandma
TWG Weekly Update
Here at Barrel of Monkeys, we are a bit of a family. And, sometimes, family members leave home and strike out on their own and head to New York or L.A. or Montana.
We are so excited to have the one and only Brennan come home this week to present one of his favorite stories, The Tiny Door in the Back of my Closet by Tyler W. from the Cleveland School.
I had never noticed the tiny door in the back of my closet before. I opened and saw a friendly monster that was scared of me.
Then in a few more weeks and he knew me well and we started to play in my room. Then my mom came in and the monster had to hide. Then my mom said that I had to clean my room then my mom closed the door. After that the monster came out and help me clean my room and we finished the room quickly then we played some more and then the monster fainted. Then he got up in an hour. Then he died.
And another story about a Holiday visit…Monica’s Special Christmas Eve by Freda H. from South Loop. Everyone knows the fastest way to get anywhere is a straight line. But, when you are very bad at geography, it might take a bit longer.
Once upon a time there was a girl named Monica. Monica was in first grade and was
very bad at geography. One day she received a letter from Santa. It said:
Dear Monica,
You are invited to a party at my workshop. On the night of Christmas Eve, a reindeer will pick you up. But, you have to tell the reindeer where to go.
Love,
Santa
PS. There is an indoor swimming pool which is pretty warm.
“Wow, I must pack warm clothes and a swimsuit,” Monica said. During the middle of Christmas Eve she heard a bell ringing. “That must be Santa’s reindeer,” Monica said.
Monica dressed up and got onto a sleigh. “Now which way shall we go,” the reindeer asked. “My teacher told us to memorize South is up, East is left, North is down and West is right, so we have to go South which is up.” It took a long time to get to Santa’s workshop because Monica got all mixed up. When they finally arrived the party was
already over. “I missed the party,” Monica sobbed. “I saved some toys and a piece of cake for you.” “Yay,” Monica cheered.
Can’t wait to see you for this Extra Special Holiday Guest Round…Monday at 8pm!
Posted by Marika on December 11, 2014
If you are anything like me, you grew up loving the holidays. Eating great food (I’m talking to you, cranberry sauce in a can), seeing your favorite relatives, sleeping in…
Hopefully, during these festive gatherings, nobody made the fateful mistake of confusing a turkey leg with a Christmas ornament.
Nicholas A. from the Cleveland School certainly learned this lesson the hard way. We have turned Nicholas’ story into a Barrel of Monkeys holiday music classic. Enjoy!
When I was little it was Christmas I was 5 years old a glass Christmas ball fall from the tree. Then I ate it and I was screaming a lot. My mom and dad and brothers took me to the hospital they did x-rays and they found it then they were waiting, then they said to my mom take him to the bathroom. Because I needed to use it because they said they were going to operate me but I said I have to use the bathroom and it came out and I was crying because I had a lot of cut on my behind and my mouth. The End.
Speaking of holidays, nothing says festive like a weird combination of things. You’ve got your Turducken. Your Chrismukkah. Your…Horsewolf?!? Tamarra M. from the Dewey School of Excellence brings us a soon-to-be classic tale that you just have to see to believe.
Hi my name is horsewolf. My job is eating people hair off. I like marinating people
hair in applesause. One thing I dislike is shrimp.
Can’t wait to see you this Monday at 8pm!
