That’s Weird, Grandma!
THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA is back in 2025! More information coming soon...
PlayMakers Laboratory Presents
THAT’S WEIRD, GRANDMA: A HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR!
Directed by Executive Artistic Director Brandon Cloyd
December 12 – 15, 2024 at the Neo-Futurist Theater
An Original Sketch Show Written by Kids,
Performed by Grownups and Enjoyed by Humans
Buy Tickets to That’s Weird, Grandma: A Holiday Spectacular!
It’s an annual holiday tradition! PlayMakers Laboratory’s is pleased to welcome back its original sketch show That’s Weird, Grandma: A Holiday Spectacular! This family-friendly comedy extravaganza returns for one weekend only from December 12 – 15, 2024 at the Neo-Futurist Theater, 5153 N. Ashland Ave. in Chicago. Tickets ($25 adults, $15 youth) go on sale Friday, November 1, 2024 at www.playmakerslab.org.
Directed by Executive Artistic Director Brandon Cloyd, 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, along with some classic holiday stories – that resonate with adults while celebrating the imaginations of young people.
Performance Schedule:
Thursday, December 12 at 7 pm
Friday, December 13 at 7 pm
Saturday, December 14 at 2 pm
Sunday, December 15 at 2 pm
About the Director
Brandon Cloyd 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. Brandon has held many roles in PlayMakers Laboratory before becoming the company’s Artistic Director in September 2017, and then becoming the Executive Artistic Director in 2023. He served with PML 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. Outside of PML, 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 a founding director with Purple Crayon Players at Northwestern University. Brandon is also a former board member for the League of Chicago Theatres.
Buy Tickets to That’s Weird, Grandma: A Holiday Spectacular!
Also…
Be sure to check out our website to see other public performances including our Celebration of Authors Gala on June 20, 2025
FAQ’s and more info
What’s all this, then?
That’s Weird, Grandma! is our once-a-year public show and fundraiser! The show features stories written by real PML students from Chicago Public Schools. Come celebrate their words and their imaginations.
Is this show kid and family-friendly?
This show is written by students, performed by adults, and enjoyed by everyone!
*We recommend elementary school-age and up!
How long is the show?
The show runs for approximately one hour.
Are masks required?
Yes, audience members are required to wear a mask in the Neo Furturist Theater for the duration of the show. We have masks available for you!
Is the venue ADA-accessible?
There is a flight of stairs up to the venue. However, please contact us ahead of time and we can make accommodations for anyone in your party to attend, and we can provide elevator access through the apartment building attached to the theatre
I have more questions, who can I contact?
Please email us at bcloyd@playmakerslab.org. Thank you!
Some reviews of the show...
“[PML's performers are] the perfect blend of over the top energy, comedic timing, and wacky facial expressions . . .”
–Bonnie Kenaz-Mara, ChiIL Mama
“[PlayMakers Laboratory] 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
“[PlayMakers Laboratory] shows, like chocolate chip cookies, are a source of infinite delight.”
–Jessie Bond, Chicago Splash
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