Posts related to TWG.
Posted by Molly on October 21, 2012
That's Weird Grandma
TWG Weekly Update
BARREL OF MONKEYS PRESENTS TWO NEW STORIES!
We are excited to bring back, just in time for Halloween, “DANCING” by Juana A. from Columbia Explorer’s Academy.
And making its world premiere on the Grandma stage, “THE NOT SO BAD GIRL” by Myia C.
THE NOT SO BAD GIRL
by Myia C, Learn Campbell Academy
Once upon a time it was a girl name Araya. It was a good girl and smart but all the others was not so they did not like her so one day Araya mom said go make some friends then Araya said but I do not have any friends so her mom said just act like them and you will make friends. So the next day she come to school she was acting bad like, have a bad boyfriend, writing on the walls, and calling the teacher bad name like cra-cra. So then Super Woman come and the school and take Araya, to the Cook County, and Gusse what she said I am going to be my self.
DANCING by Juana A, Columbia Explorer’s Academy
I remember that once I was in a party. It was October 30th. It not any kind of party. It was a Halloween party. I was a vampire there was hot wings, salad and it was cold. It was in the basement and they started playing some music. Some songs were “Beat it” and “Thriller”. When those songs played I jumped off my seat and started dancing. Then suddenly my cousin Brian said, “let’s have a dance-off!” Then I said “Alright.” They started playing “Beat it”. We had a sign to let us know when it was our turn. There was a total of 4 dancers. The girl came in 1st place, I came in 2nd place, Brian came in 3rd and another boy came in 4th place. When they played “Thriller” I was on fire! Everyone was cheering me on. They were saying “You go girl!” and “Show these Michael Jackson imitators that you are the real dancer.” Then the judges said that I came in 1st place, the girl in 2nd, Brian 3rd and the other boy in 4th. once that song came on I got so excited. I didn’t even think anything I just moved to the music. “Don’t think it just feel it.”
And our guests for Chicago’s Weird Grandma are Manual Cinema and About Face Theatre Company!
MANUAL CINEMA PRESENTS…
HAIR FEAR!!!!! By Sheriff N., Dixon Elementary
Once upon a time their was me so then I start growing hair I was mad so I went to the shop so I cut it off and it came back so I cut it it got bigger and bigger and bigger and bigger so I cut it off so I couldn’t so that’s how I got hair!
ABOUT FACE THEATRE COMPANY PRESENTS…
THE MONSTER MASH by Ethan B., Paderewski
There was a Monster named Zane and his alien friend Craze. The monsters were weird they eat brains and throw watermelon and knit. One day the monster and alien ran into each other and they were stuck. They were stuck for 10 milleniums but one day an awesome smart wizard named Deeerrrikkkk came and gave them a potion to unstick them. And the wizard charged them 20 million but they couldn’t pay so they were blasted 1, 000, 000 years into the future when they were old smelly and OLLDD and they did not remember anything ever again.
Password for 10/22 is “Hello, Derrrrrrrrrrrrrrick!” Say this at the box office for discounted admission!
Posted by Joe on October 16, 2012
That's Weird Grandma
TWG Weekly Update
Touring Performances
CHICAGO’S WEIRD, GRANDMA on Oct 22nd will feature Manual Cinema & About Face Theatre
You: Tell me about About Face Theatre.
Molly: About Face Theatre creates exceptional, innovative, and adventurous plays to advance the national dialogue on gender and sexual identity, and to challenge and entertain audiences in Chicago, across the country, and around the world.
Additionally, About Face has a well-established Youth Theater that was created as a safe space for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning young people and their allies to tell their stories and create community. The exclusion of queer history and dialogue from schools, and the consistent discrimination and violence suffered by queer youth are the most immediate problems About Face Youth Theatre addresses with their multi-tiered programming. This program is empowering at all levels. Not only do participants enjoy the opportunity to express themselves artistically, they are also integrally involved in the program planning. This is a vital part of our community, and I am very proud that About Face offers this to the young people of Chicago.
You: What will About Face bring to the adaptation process that is unique?
Molly: I attended their rehearsal for “Monster Mash” by Ethan B. from Paderewski Elementary on Tuesday. It is absolutely hilarious and sweet and polished and has a musical montage. Fantastic Chicago stage veterans Mitchell Fain and Scott Duff joining the young and talented Philip Dawkins in this adaptation. This trio of AFT Artistic Associates brings a tight performance that explores the challenges of relationships, and what comes of getting stuck with someone. The even balance of professional chops and unbridled joy is something I have come to enjoy from About Face productions, and I am thrilled for our audience to see it!
You: How else can I experience About Face Theatre Company if I like what I see or want to know more?
Molly: This year’s Holiday spectacular is “We Three Lizas”, a surprising holiday musical sure to please! Receive more information on this show and upcoming events!
Discover About Face Theatre
You: Tell me about Manual Cinema.
Molly: Manual Cinema is a collaboration between puppeteers/graphic artists Julia Miller, Drew Dir and Sarah Fornace, with musician/composers Kyle Vegter and Ben Kauffman. Their process combines handmade shadow puppetry, cinematic motifs, and live sound manipulation to create immersive theatrical stories. Their tools are paper, acetate, ink, light, air pressure, and overhead projectors. They love dreamscapes, landscapes, sound-scapes, feet, hands, space, small delicate sounds, and animating the inanimate.
You: What will Manual Cinema bring to the adaptation process that is unique?
Molly: Manual Cinema creates in a way that is very different from Barrel of Monkeys, and I am excited to see their adaptation of “Hair Fear!!!!!” by Sheriff N., Dixon Elementary. It will be lovely to have something so highly technical on our stage!
You: How else can I experience Manual Cinema if I like what I see or want to know more?
Molly: Manual Cinema will be presenting the World Premiere of Lula Del Ray at the Den Theatre, November 29-December 16. Receive more information!
Discover Manual Cinema
Get tickets today to join in on the fun!
Posted by Molly on October 14, 2012
That's Weird Grandma
TWG Weekly Update
This week, we are very excited to add a story by Kashmere from Morton Elementary. “The Sound of Carma” was masterfully adapted into a song by Barrel of Monkeys’ Company Member Diana Lawrence. In the tradition of the Runaways, the Go-Go’s, and Veruca Salt, Ms. Lawrence presents a catchy bad-girl hit that involves roller skates and schadenfreude. Backed up by the Chicago’s Weird, Grandma ensemble, Ms. Lawrence delivers Kashmere’s message that will leave you laughing, singing, clapping…and maybe thinking twice about bullying.
Chicago’s Weird Grandma Guest Stars!
Strawdog Theatre Company offers “Poem: Fly Like A Bird” by Jalyn H. from Dixon Elementary
Wildclaw Theatre presents an Untitled piece by Francisco V from the Loyola Park After School Program. There will be zombies.
Say “Rombies!” at the Box Office for discounted tickets.
Posted by Joe on October 11, 2012
That's Weird Grandma
TWG Weekly Update
Touring Performances
Monday, Oct 15th Strawdog Theatre Company
Come see Strawdog Theatre Company celebrate students’ work.
Here is an interview between you and our artistic director Molly Brennan:
You: Tell me about Strawdog Theatre
Molly: “Strawdog offers Chicago the premiere storefront theatre experience. They develop new work, re-imagine classic plays, explore new fusions of music and theatre, ask provocative questions and deliver the unexpected to their audience. They provide a home for their celebrated ensemble to work and play with the most sought after artists in Chicago theatre along with the best new talents in the city.”
Strawdog is a pillar of Chicago Storefront Theatre. These guys are producing their 25th Season! They survived the implementation of the PPA license in the 90’s that resulted in a number of storefront shut-downs and throughout the years have grown and changed and adapted and remained a place where many talented Chicago actors, designers, directors and technicians have called home. They have two spaces, their mainstage, and then a great smaller spot called Hugen Hall that features all manner of music, cabarets, and smaller productions. There’s always something happening at Strawdog!
Strawdog produced one of my very favorite Chicago productions. “Red Noses” was a show I went back and saw 5 times. I found it to be incredibly moving and funny and wonderful, and like it was a play just for me. Plus, the soundtrack jammed.
Included in the Strawdog ensemble is BOM Company Member Sarah Goeden; and Kyle Hamman, who produced a Barrel of Monkey’s film written and directed by one of our students!
You: What will Strawdog bring to the adaptation process that is unique?
Molly: Strawdog shows a lot of respect for, and attention to, the text. I suspect their table work on their piece will be extensive, and that they will spend a lot of time and effort in doing the authors’ words justice onstage. They have an accomplished ensemble of actors, and I’m excited to see what they do with the piece!
Their piece is POEM: FLY LIKE A BIRD by Jalyn H., Dixon Elementary
You: How else can I experience Strawdog Theatre if I like what I see or want to know more?
Molly: “Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom” is their current project. Another scary show that I got to see on opening night! Fusing slick technology with a solid quartet of exceptional actors, this piece flips between earthly and virtual landscapes to great success. The social commentary on the decay of true communication with the advance of communication technology has me still thinking and worrying! Great for adults and teens. I would say it would be great for parents to see WITH their teens. It runs through November 10. For more information, learn more.
Learn more about Chicago’s Weird, Grandma!
Posted by Joe on October 9, 2012
That's Weird Grandma
TWG Weekly Update
Touring Performances
Monday, Oct 15th WildClaw Theatre
Come see WildClaw celebrate students’ work.
Here is an interview between you and our artistic director Molly Brennan:
You: Tell me about Wildclaw Theatre?
Molly: “Storytelling is in our blood” is their slogan. “All the thrills that our imagination, heart and intellect derive from the greatest horror fiction, art, film, games, and poetry - all these thrills, we will provoke alive, in the flesh, breathing and bleeding from the stage, and right in your face. Horror Theatre.” They are scary and awesome.
You: What will Wildclaw bring to the adaptation process that is unique?
Molly: This team plays exclusively with horror. As you may know, monsters, zombies, mummies, vampires, werewolves, and movie greats like Jason and Chuckie are often stars of our students’ stories. Wildclaw has chosen a story by Francisco from our Loyola Park After School Program about a zombie-eating dinosaur, and since this piece is in the Wildclaw genre, these experts are going to nail it!
I went to their rehearsal for CWG and I am thrilled for it to hit the Grandma Stage! They will be performing UNTITLED (T Rex Eats Zombies) By Francisco V Loyola Park After School Program
You: How else can I experience Wildclaw Theatre if I like what I see or want to know more?
Molly: I attended the opening of “Life of Death” at the DCA Theatre, and I have this to say: I found it to be excellent. This piece scores high in psychological terror, philosophical challenge, and onstage gore effects. The storytelling is excellent. It flows beautifully between high theatricality and sobering realism. The sound and lights are fantastic, and the multi media stuff is clever and never disrupts the flow. The set is impressive and well-used. There are a ton of locations and scene changes and they range from entertaining to impossibly smooth. The cast nails it. It is creepy and scary and wonderful. It only runs through November 4. It is not for kids. For tickets, go here!
Incidentally, something I was tickled by in seeing their latest production, was the number of devices they used that are common in the Barrel of Monkeys’ staging: 1: The use of onstage slow motion. 2. The simple but effective physical choreography of people on a subway and 3. What BOM calls the “Silverberg turn”.
You: The “Silverberg Turn”..?
Molly: Named after one of the original actors in Barrel of Monkeys, Eric Silverberg, it refers to the technique of actors turning around in place to suggest travel to a new location.
Anyway, it’s delightful and surprising to see these kinds of similarities between a Horror company and us.
Learn more about Chicago’s Weird, Grandma!
