Grandma is back with holiday classics and new family favorites.
December 9th, 13th, 14th, 20th, and 21st
Jen Allman, Noah Appelbaum, Ashley Bland, Bryan Bosque, Annie Calhoun, Kaylyn Carter, Taylor Galloway, Gaby Hirsch, Oly Oxinfry, Nic Park, and Joe Schupbach
Brandon Cloyd joined PlayMakers Laboratory in 2007 and has been deeply involved in many facets of the company ever since. Prior to joining PML, Brandon graduated from Northwestern University with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and a minor in Business Institutions. Within PML, Brandon has served as an actor, teaching artist, lead teacher, a member of Teacher Corps, as well as directing shows for schools and public performances of That’s Weird, Grandma. Before becoming the company’s Artistic Director in September 2017, Brandon served as PML After-School Program Coordinator at Loyola Park from 2014-2016 and Program Director from 2016-2017. Outside of PlayMakers Laboratory, he worked as the Associate Director of Camp Echo, where he has spent 13 summers managing campers and staff at a co-ed sleep away camp in Upstate New York. Brandon has worked with other theatre companies including Urban Theatre Company, American Theater Company, Filament Theatre, InGen Productions, ACLE’s Teatrino in Italy and Purple Crayon Players at Northwestern University. Brandon recently joined the Board of Directors for the League of Chicago Theatres.
Now in its eighteenth year, That’s Weird, Grandma features adaptations of stories written during PML’s creative writing residencies in Chicago elementary schools. PML’s ensemble of professional actors, comedians and musicians bring the young authors’ stories to life as raucous sketches, songs and movement pieces, performing first for students in their schools and then for the public. These stories - from hilarious dialogues between unlikely characters to poignant pleas for social change - resonate with adults while celebrating the imaginations of young people.
January 19th and 26th. February 2nd, 9th, 16th
That’s Weird, Grandma: Travels Through Time
Directed by Artistic Director Brandon Cloyd
Sunday Matinees
PlayMakers Laboratory is excited to be an inaugural Teen Arts Pass (TAP) partner. TAP is a new initiative by Urban Gateways that gives young people ages 13-19 access to $5 tickets to see professional dance, music, and theater performances in and around Chicago. Learn more about the program and sign up here.
“[BOM's performers are] the perfect blend of over the top energy, comedic timing, and wacky facial expressions . . .”
–Bonnie Kenaz-Mara, ChiIL Mama
“Barrel of Monkeys brings its A-game every week. That’s not just devotion to the craft: it’s devotion to the cause.”
–Ian Rigg, Chicagoland Musical Theatre
“Barrel of Monkeys’ shows, like chocolate chip cookies, are a source of infinite delight.”
–Jessie Bond, Chicago Splash
Posted by Brandon on May 25
New Executive Director, Kemper Florin, speaks on her opening night experience: As the new Executive Director for the amazing Barrel of Monkeys Productions, I was particularly excited for opening night of That’s Weird Grandma: Stories that Sing and Dance!! … More
Posted by Brandon on April 26
We are a week out from opening That’s Weird, Grandma: Stories That Sing and Dance and I am very excited to share with you the incredible stories written by our students that are going into this Musical Extravaganza. You… More
“I really had fun and you made me so proud of me.”
–Denzel, 3rd Grade, Gale Academy
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