Celebration of Authors is back in 2026; Stay Tuned for More!
Tickets are NOW ON SALE for our annual Celebration of Authors Gala – June 20, 2025 – a family-friendly FUN–draiser for PlayMakers Laboratory!
Mark your calendars to come out to celebrate the creativity of Chicago’s youth!
Purchase Tickets!
CELEBRATION OF AUTHORS GALA 2025!
HOSTED BY: PLAYMAKERS LABORATORY
FRIDAY, JUNE 20
6:30PM – 10:30PM CDT
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF MEXICAN ART, 1852 W 19TH ST, CHICAGO, IL 60608
Celebration of Authors is sponsored by WINTRUST BANK
Purchase Tickets!
It’s both our annual gala AND a family-friendly, interactive festival!
Silent Auction! Games! Food + Drinks! Open Bar for adult guests! 360 Photo Booth! And of course, LIVE performances of stories written by our students for the 2024/25 School Year!
Attire: Fancy Schmancy where you can come Fancy – dressed to the nines in your best attire. Or you can come Schmancy – with a silly hat or funny outfit that expresses YOU!
You can bid on our amazing Silent Auction Prizes at the event, or remotely from anywhere! Silent Auction items include: A Trip to Mexico with Vidanta Resorts, A Sailing Excursion, An At-Home Dungeons & Dragons Session, Dining Packages, Sports Tickets, Theatre Tickets, and MORE! Stay tuned for a preview and get those bids ready!
This is the most affordable & most FUN Gala in town!
Tickets include food, drinks, a show, and activities for all ages!
Adult Regular Priced Tickets —$75
Youth Regular Price Tickets, ages 4 to 15 —$50
Children 3 years of age and under can attend for FREE
Purchase Tickets!
Plus we will present the Annual Storyteller of the Year Award to author,
and PlayMaker alumni, Mary Winn Heider!
Mary Winn Heider is the author of over 30 books for kids, including THE LOSERS AT THE CENTER OF THE GALAXY, THE UNICORNS WHO SAVED CHRISTMAS, and THE STUPENDOUS SWITCHEROO series, which she co-created with Chad Sell. Mary Winn’s very first novel, THE MORTIFICATION OF FOVEA MUNSON, was based on her time working in a real life cadaver lab, and now that it’s a musical. In a School Library Journal column a few years ago, Betsy Bird wrote, “In an era of information overload, Mary Winn Heider is the author who will lead us through the pandemonium into the light.” Mary Winn’s books have been on state lists, appeared on Bank Street Best Books, received Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection status, been long-listed for the Edgar Award, and landed on Indies Introduce and Indie Next lists.But before all of that, Mary Winn was a company member with Playmakers Lab, where she spent a decade pretending to be a chicken, an astronaut, and a princess, and sometimes, all three at once.
Can’t attend our party? We’ll miss you! Consider donating to support arts education in Chicago. Thank you!
Additional Information:
This event is a fundraiser to support PML’s outstanding creative writing programming in partnership with Chicago Public Schools. 100% of the tickets proceeds will support PML classes! For 28 years PlayMakers Laboratory has served Chicago Public School students by providing a creative writing residency program aimed primarily at elementary schools. Our company of over 60 teaching artists utilize creative drama and storytelling to promote literacy and self esteem during our in-school residencies and park district programming. Each year, our programs serve more than 4,000 young people across Chicago. In our 6 week writing residencies, a whopping 88% of students improve writing scores by at least one level over the course of our residencies. Plus, 100% of classroom teachers report that our program supports their student’s writing and improves confidence and self-esteem.
PlayMakers Laboratory is sponsored in part by
The Chicago Community Trust,
Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events,
The Crown Family Philanthropies,
The Field Foundation,
The Mardi Gras Fund,
The Paul M. Angell Foundation,
The Polk Bros Foundation,
The Siragusa Family Foundation,
And generous Individuals like you!
By Ivan R., 4th Grade, Columbia Explorers Academy
That's Weird, Grandma
One day I wished I had a bike. I always told my mom when are you going to buy me a bike. She said Maybe to…Suddenly she stopped. I got scared she was stop like if she has never seen a clock before. About 10 minutes later she started to scream. She said I was late for school. I said today was Saturday then she said O…..She stopped again. So I said this is hopeless. This always happens to my mom when she gets worried or when she is late! I said I am going outside but my mom started to talk so I had a sigh. Then I told her, “stop stopping”. So she did. So then I lived without having any troubles with my mom.
By Emilio G., Loyola Park After School Program
That's Weird, Grandma
One day I was a little boy my dad was getting ready for work then he changed my diaper I peed on him
When I was two my mom tripped over the side walk I ran into the middle of the street
When I was 6 I had my first baby brother
When I was 8 I was sleeping in my bed then I throw-up
By Lakeisha N., South Loop
Poems
Songs
That's Weird, Grandma
I stop to get a pop then I get a
lot so it hurt to stop so I can get
a lot But when I home my mom
tell me to stop So I well stop
But in my head I can Not stop.
By Jeremy T., Dewey School
True Stories
That's Weird, Grandma
I remember when I was 2 years old I was scared of bodies I went to a funeral I saw a body and I took off running. My big brother tried to get me but he got hold of my coat and I was dragging my brother through the church. Then we left. But now I am not scared of bodies because I been seeing bodies on t.v. and I got used to seeing bodies.
By Erica M., 3rd Grade, Cleveland School
True Stories
That's Weird, Grandma
It was my birthday. We was looking for the clown it did not came. It was my 4th birthday. Everyone was looking for the clown. She did not came. But my sister pretend to be the clown we play games. She paint the face. It was so cool and when everyone went they say it was so cool. Then when it was my 5th birthday she was the clown again.
The End!!!!!!!
By Vincent C., 4th Grade, Little Village
Arguments
That's Weird, Grandma
My first reason is so they don’t have to buy piece by piece.
My second reason is so play with our friends.
My third reason is you can share with your brother or sister.
So that’s why you should get the whole set.
By BreAnna W., Gale School
That's Weird, Grandma
Get these kids off of me.
They are heavy and they are ugly.
I am going to go fast and slow.
By Jose S., 4th Grade, Columbia Explorers Academy
Arguments
That's Weird, Grandma
I am Arnold Swarsneger. I believe that all of the world should have all of my Termenator movies. My first reason is so your whole family could see them. My second reason is because if your bored you could just see them. My last reason is because I want you to learn what’s going to happen in the future.
By Laura R., Gale School
Superheroes
That's Weird, Grandma
I am a super hero that talks on the phone and also go shopping and buy lipgloss and go to the shop to get my hair done my nails done my friend he’s a boy he takes me to do all the stuff.
By Mark A., Gladstone
True Stories
That's Weird, Grandma
Other Venues
Stuff On My Head 2000
I REMEMBER WHEN….One time I got hit by a van I was crying because it really hurt. I was taking by the ambulance truck when the doctor took me, when I woke up the doctor said I was OK and I had no broken bones, then I said “YES!” then I said “OUCH!” My mom said “My poor baby” I said “I’m OK mom”, then I said “Right Doc?”, he said “You might have to stay”, then I said men!!!!!
