Public performances other than TWG.
Posted by Julia on November 6, 2013
Touring Performances
Woo boy, aren’t WE lucky? Next Monday’s performance of “Chicago’s Weird, Grandma” will feature TWO fantastic Chicago theater companies: The Neo-Futurists and Bailiwick Chicago Theater.
Kurt Chiang from the Neos answered a few questions for us about working Monkey-style.
(Pictured: Kurt Chiang, Neo-Futurist ensemble member)
What is it like to collaborate with the BOM team?
Monkeys and Neos have a long history together. For one thing, we share a space; “That’s Weird, Grandma” has, as far as I know, always been at the Neo-Futurarium. Also, a LOT of our people mix. Many Monkeys do Neo-Futurist work, and we even share company members, associates, and alumni, including Ryan Walters, Kristie Koehler-Vuocolo, Jonathan Maestro, Brenda Arellano, Anthony Courser, and myself. All this to say, “Of course! It’s a joy!”
How did you choose the story The Neo-Futurists will be performing?
I chose the shortest story possible. Neo work is about brevity, and/or getting to the core idea/feeling of something. I also wanted to personally relate to the story, in some way. The one I picked is about building a thing, and failing. As a kid, the first memory I have of creating a story was about not having anything to write about. This made me interested in writing, thereafter joining a summer fiction workshop.
If the Neos had a “spcial sauce” what would be in it?
Something really obvious. Maybe that’s the wrong word. I mean to say, it wouldn’t be secretive. How about, blatant? Like cashews. But not gritty. A hint of cashew butter. Certainly garlic. Dill? Do people actually enjoy things with special sauces?
Now let’s get to know Bailiwick Chicago Theater…
(Pictured: Lili-Anne Brown, Bailiwick Chicago Theater Artistic Director)
Bailiwick Chicago is a non-profit professional company with a mission to produce contemporary musicals and plays, reinvent classic musicals, and develop new work, while sharing a powerful and authentic theatrical experience. They celebrate and engage our community through diverse programming, artistic partnerships and outreach opportunities.
Bailiwick Chicago is a theatre company that was formed by a group of dedicated actors, directors, and production professionals after Bailiwick Repertory Theater closed its doors in September 2009. This group, which we call the “Collective”, is the artistic ensemble responsible for the artistic mission and vision of the company. In its first 2 seasons, Bailiwick Chicago garnered 28 award nominations and received critical acclaim for its innovative Chicago productions.
Bailiwick Chicago has chosen the story “Thriller vs. Party Rock” by Antwon, Imani, Erick, Tyeler, Martabian, and Christopher from Learn Campbell Academy. We’re sure they’ll bring a special musical flair to the story!
Get tickets to be in the audience next Monday, November 11 to see what these two companies can do! 8 p.m. at the Neo-Futurarium, 5153 N. Ashland. Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for kids.
Posted by Julia on October 29, 2013
Touring Performances
After kicking off “Chicago’s Weird, Grandma” with Manual Cinema this past Monday, we can’t until next Monday when J-Hud joins us!
Jessica Hudson is a theatre-maker and teaching artist who has lived and worked in Chicago for 15 years. Her solo work pulls from the vocabularies of dance, theatre, and physical theatre; however, she is most happy in collaboration with others, both on the stage and in the classroom. On the stage she has worked with many tremendous companies in the Chicago theatre, dance and music scenes including opera-matic, Mucca Pazza, 500 Clown, About Face Theatre, and the Chicago Kings. In the classroom, Jessica works as a teaching artist with Chicago Arts Partnerships in Education (CAPE) and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago to collaborate with teachers to integrate the performing arts into the classroom curriculum in the Chicago Public Schools. In 2010, Jessica won the 3Arts artist award as a teaching artist in theatre.
J-Hud herself answered a few questions about working with the Monkeys…
What is it like to collaborate with the BOM team?
Collaborating with the BOM team is like collaborating with a trampoline. No, like collaborating with a trampoline ROOM- where the trampolines go up the walls and on the ceiling so you can jump off the walls as well as the floor-tramp and you do these crazy, twisted flip-spins that you didn’t even know existed and you don’t get hurt because it’s a trampoline room.
How did you choose the story you’ll be performing?
My story is the best. It has a crocodile in it… named Wonderland. boom. the best.
If J-Hud had a “special sauce” what would be in it?
The J-Hud Special Sauce is called SPIT TAKE. It is made of real maple syrup, vinegar and bacon juice.
Grab your tickets to see J-Hud and an extra-large (16!) cast of Monkeys next Monday, November 4!
Posted by Julia on October 21, 2013
Touring Performances
October 28 is the first of six “Chicago’s Weird, Grandma” performances, and our guest company will be Manual Cinema!
(They clearly have great taste in hats.)
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.
Manual Cinema will be adapting “Hair Fear!!!!!” by Sheriff N., from Dixon Elementary.
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!
Intrigued and craving more Manual Cinema? Ada/Ava is their current project. Check out more info here.
Posted by Joe on June 13, 2013
That's Weird Grandma
Touring Performances
Y’all. It’s happened.
TWG is back and powerful!
Celebration Authors was a huge success! And now we are ready to bring CPS students’ stories to the public!
Here is the line up:
WANTING MEATLOAF by Montez P, Jayzoun N, James M, Emmanuel L, Kristyle Y, Reyna J, & Fayome M, Dixon Elementary
UNTITLED (THE GOAT THAT EAT EVERYTHING) by Darrin J., Chalmers Elementary
UNTITLED (Astronauts) by Stephanie E., Columbia Explorer’s Academy
I THINK PEOPLE SHOULD NOT KISS by Jennie H., Brenneman Elementary
The Girl Who Had a Monkey by Parianna B, New Sullivan
Yo soy un Pescado By Ruby G Avondale-Logandale
CHICKEN!!! By Danielle S, Leo B, Maggie J, and Shantelle G Lincolnwood Elementary
I AM A DOG by Thomas R, 4th Grade, Columbia Explorers
NOT SO MUCH PRESSURE by Lazaireus P, Morton Elementary
ICE CREAM MAN by Marcellious G., Stockton Elementary
A Bad Day By Kevin V., 3rd Grade, Cleveland Elementary
I AM A BUTCHER AND I LOVE MEAT by Adarius W., Dewey Academy
THE DOG WAS DEAD by Dinelle H., Dewey Academy
Posted by Joe on March 25, 2013
Touring Performances
School Shows
After School Program
Rehearsals have started for the Loyola Park Spring Show 2013: Monkeys
and Kids Unite!
If you are a fan or a fangirl (slang taught to us by super-cool Loyola-
parker Isabella) of “Hunger Games” and “The Avengers” then you
will love the sci-fi thriller “Trapped” written by Siobhan. If you are
craving a PG “Saving Private Ryan” then Iris’ epic story, “A life full
of adventures in the war to save France” will hit the spot. And if
you dream of opening your own pastry shop, like various female
characters in romantic comedies, or you just love eating cookies, then
“Isabella’s bakery” written by the aforementioned Isabella is just the
treat you have been waiting for.
These are just three of the fabulously entertaining stories Monkeys,
Monkey teachers, volunteers, and kids are working on. All of the
stories in the Loyola Park Spring show are written by Loyola Park
kids, adapted by a collaborative team of kids and Monkeys, and
performed by this dynamic combo of kids and Monkeys!
Can’t wait,
Melissa
Volunteer Teacher
