Sun-Times says Heidi makes Chicago a better place!
Posted by Tai on August 19, 2008
Our wonderful Executive Director Heidi Thompson Saunders was featured in today’s Chicago Sun-Times as one of “50 People Who Make Chicago a Better Place.”
Playmakers Blog
TWG August 18th, 2008
Posted by Heidi on August 18, 2008
Last weekend the BOM company spent some quality time in Wisconsin at our annual retreat. It was a truly delightful weekend full of puppets, four square, and the annual BATTLE OF THE MONKEY STARS (among many other valuable and bonding activities).
Because we spent the weekend learning new skills, debating new ideas, and bonding with each other, we did not change any of the stories in tonight’s show, and thus the running order remains the same (and is detailed after the jump).
Here’s some proof that we were working hard…
...but also had some fun:
Save the Date: Fancy Schmancy!
Posted by Heidi on August 12, 2008
Barrel of Monkeys’ annual Fancy Schmancy Benefit will be Friday, October 17th at the Chicago Cultural Center!
(Event details are here)
In my biased opinion it’s the most fun you can have at a benefit: there will be a performance, some teaching activities, games, a live auction, silent auction, and many more surprises.
We also rely on it to provide more than one-tenth of our annual revenue. So please help support our work by attending! Besides, when else will you have the chance to wear a bridesmaid dress, or your fanciest hat, or that bedazzled t-shirt, or a powder blue tuxedo jacket, or all of the above? Fancy AND schmancy. (Don’t worry, if you attire intimidates you, we can help: there’s a special ticket price for those who’d like us to make them schmancy. And, of course, as “every idea is a good idea” regular work attire is perfectly acceptable).
TWG August 11th, 2008
Posted by Heidi on August 11, 2008
You guys, it’s hot outside in the summer in Chicago. And when it’s hot, do you know what you need? A little fan in your face!
Without spoiling too much, I think I can say that you will find “Untitled Fan Argument”, the newest addition to “That’s Weird, Grandma”, delightful. It’s an argument with a musical number in the middle. It will feel so so so so so good.
Full running order after the jump. You WILL like it.
We almost sold-out last week. Advance reservations (by calling 312-409-1954) or buying your tickets in advance encouraged.
Office Update
Posted by Heidi on August 5, 2008
Three things that I love about my job, today:
1. Dixie (our outgoing Program Director) has been training Elizabeth (our new Program Director) in the ways of the BOM office and her new job. That means Dixie has, among other things, been going over who’s who in our partner networks. Often this sounds like “At the Parks, we work with ____. She loves us. Well, everyone loves us, but she loves us most” and “at CISC our newest friend is ____, but if you can’t get her on the phone, you can talk to ____—it’s not really her job, but she would do anything for us and our program.”
2. We got a letter in the mail from Senator Obama’s senate office congratulating us on our grant from the NEA. It is surely a form letter, but it is delightful to hear that our work is “a source of pride, and a wellspring of hope for the people of Illinois.”
3. In sorting through files on my desk I found the following quote from a student at the Bridge School: ““You were totally awesome, terrific, fabulous, fantastic, exciting and funny!... and that was totally the best school day in my whole big giant life. Thanks, that really made me really happy.”
and from the author of “Dear Raheel” (currently being performed in “That’s Weird, Grandma”): “My whole class misses you, you gave us the courage to write and imagine what we can do.”