Journey PlayMakers Laboratory as Grandma takes a time machine to visit student-written stories set in
the past, present and future. Can Grandma repair the space-time continuum and return to the present?
With the help of PML’s students’ stories, anything is possible.
Taylor Galloway
Jasmine Jordan
Nic Park
Ale Ramirez
Elisa Carlson
Mary Tilden
Graig Tertulien
Nancy Casas
Tom Malinowski
Rawson Vint
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.
That’s Weird, Grandma: A Hip-Hopera
Directed by Shá Norman
May 8th- May 23rd
That’s Queer, Grandma: 2 Night’s Only Event
Directed by Brandon Cloyd
June 22nd & June 29th
That’s Weird, Grandma: Campfire Stories
Directed by Brandon Cloyd
July 13th- August 17th
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
“The most important thing that I learn was writing is full of magic. The best thing you will like about [PlayMakers Laboratory] is having a world of imagination.”
–Daniel, Lorca Elementary
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