Posted by Maggie on June 3, 2012
Celebration of Authors
Ladies and Gentlemen -
I had the great honor of watching the first run through of Celebration of Authors 2012 and let me tell you the celebrating has begun. It is an incredible gift that our task is to make these thirty stories come to life using our love, energy and just a few silly hats. The actors work so hard and yet make it seem like it is just playing a great game of make believe.
Here’s a sneak peak at what’s in store for our audience on Tuesday. Find out more info about Celebration of Authors HERE!
Cinnamon Rolls!!!
Zebras on the CTA?!
100 CATS!
New Ensemble Member, Nick, taking the reigns
Just one of our FOUR Michael Jackson visits!
Monsters and Robots taking over the world!
Why does this monster hate teddy bears so much?
And of course our amazing graphic designer as a rubix cube
Okay, back to making more cat ears!
See you all on Tuesday to celebrate our authors and their amazing imaginations.
Posted by Bradford on May 25, 2012
School Shows
4:30 am : Got up. Made breakfast, then looked over scenes and practiced the song for Rhinestones or Glitter(It’s gonna be in COA on June 5th, so check it out people!!)
6:30 : Picked up our good friend Zeke
6:40 : Then scooped up Kurt and Nick and we laughed and cracked jokes on the way down to Ms. Biscuit (It’s a really sweet restaurant yall) where we met up with the rest of the Monkeys.
8:ish : Got to Dixon and did a cool run through
9:50 : Said hi to all the kiddos as they started making their way into the theater ( it was really nice to see my kids from last year who are now in 6th grade!) before kicking off Start the Show at 10:00.
!
11:15 or so : Did the post show talk back, then two young ladies called me over and performed an awesome rap they made about how I loved to chew gum. It’s so true guys, I’m all about the fresh breath!
The show was amazing my friends. Congrats to each and every Dixon student that was in one of our residencies this year. You guys were great, and I look forward to being back next Spring. YES!!!
Posted by Molly on May 25, 2012
That's Weird Grandma
TWG Weekly Update
It’s been a great 5 weeks!
Come join us for the final round of TWG 8 this Sunday or Monday. Or Sunday AND Monday.
We’ll be taking June 4 off for our end of the year Celebration of Authors at Adventure Stage on June 5. Call the hotline for reservations!
We’ll be returning to the Neo on Mondays June 11, with a new cast, new stories, and a new director: Company Member Kate Staiger!
Say: “I’m Batman” at the box office for discounted tix!
Posted by Bradford on May 24, 2012
School Shows
I must confess my friends, I’ve been up since 5:30 am and I am absolutely exhausted. But as I sit at my trusty lap top, fighting off the Sand Man (for a few more minutes at least); I thought I’d write a quick blog, stream of consciousness style, about why the Monkeys put the A in Awesome.
Teaching: Though it’s only been a few weeks since the residency ended, it will truly be nice to see all the kiddos at Dixon. Performing in school shows are always a blast, but they’re even more fun when you’ve taught there. You get the privilege of seeing a story develop from the time a student writes it in the class room through the adaption process, from countless hours of rehearsal to the big performance back at the school. It is too, too cool baby.One of many things I love about being a Monkeys.
Musicians: Emjoy G, Jason (J Squad) Sperling, and even my dreaded arch rival Ricky Harris were absolute rock stars in rehearsal this week. Not only great actors, these wacky guys help make a Monkey Show a Monkey Show. Creating ambiance and writing songs; energizing the crowd and helping us warm up the old vocal cords. And who can keep track of the countless mad dashes from behind the keys to intro a scene. All in a days work to you, but it’s what we love about you guys. So here’s to ALL of our wonderful musicians. Thanks for your hard work this year!
Start The Show: Oh yeah, it’s always cool before a round of That’s Weird Grandma. But when you kick it off at a school show and 60 plus students jump in with you, there’s nothing like it. If that doesn’t get you pumped up to take the stage nothing will. You better believe the house is gonna be a rocking about 10am tomorrow at the old Dixon school.
Hope to see you there good people, the show is going to be great. Tune in tomorrow for pics from the show. And with that I bid you adieu. Time to catch up on some much needed rest.
Posted by Bradford on May 22, 2012
School Shows
Oh No!!! The last school show of the year is upon us, and it makes me kind of sad. This was truly an amazing school year and I absolutely enjoyed working with all the lovable kiddos throughout our happening town. But I have to say, year after year, for what ever reason, the Dixon school always holds a special place in my heart. Granted my grand parents use to live in the area, and I spent a lot of time in the Chatham neighborhood as a kid; but even with out that, the Dixon students are wonderful, and always come up with some fantastic tales to share with the word; and this year was not an exception.
So it is upon that back drop that I say…. YOU HAVE TO SEE THIS SHOW PARTY PEOPLE!!!!
Our good friend Kurt Chiang led an awesome workshop the first day of rehearsal; exploring new ways and concepts for adapting stories. And with that in mind, our fearless leader Molly B, gave us all the artistic challenge of adapting, casting, and then directing our own pieces. I must say, the process was very inspiring. Seeing how different people work, how their ideas come to fruition; with out a doubt, we came up with some great stuff baby!!! Elizabeth Levy as a dancing leprechaun….. need I say any more good people…. need I say any more!!!
The Dixon Show. Friday at 10am. Come on out and have a good time my friends. There’s no better way to cap off the year!!
