Barrel of Monkeys’ THAT’S WEIRD, GRANDMA: It Came from the Voting Booth – Aug 22 – Nov 28 at the Neo-Futurist Theater
Student-written stories inspired by politics, government, social change and the 2016 election will take center stage as Barrel of Monkeys kicks off its 20th anniversary season with THAT’S WEIRD, GRANDMA: It Came from the Voting Booth, directed by Artistic Director Joseph Schupbach. The company’s fall revue will play Mondays at 8 pm from August 22 – October 3 and October 24 – November 28, 2016 at the Neo-Futurist Theater, 5153 N. Ashland Ave. in Chicago. THAT’S WEIRD, GRANDMA features stories conceived and written by Chicago Public School students and adapted for the stage and performed by Barrel of Monkeys Company Members. For tickets, reservations and information visit www.barrelofmonkeys.org or call (773) 506-7140.
THAT’S WEIRD, GRANDMA will also be featured in the 2016 Chicago Fringe Festival, with performances September 4, 10-11, 2016 at Jefferson Playhouse, 4766 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago. For tickets and information, visit chicagofringe.org.
Clever and funny – touching and poignant – the collection of short sketches featured in THAT’S WEIRD, GRANDMA is equally entertaining for adults and children. The line-up of the long running, critically acclaimed revue changes each week by audience vote, so no two shows are ever the same.
Barrel of Monkeys, a Chicago-based arts education theater ensemble now in its 20th season, conducts creative writing workshops with 3rd through 5th grade students in underserved Chicago Public Schools. The ensemble of actor-educators then turns their stories and words into professionally performed theater, presented both in-school and for the general public through its revues. Barrel of Monkeys annually performs more than 300 student-written stories for the students in their schools and 175 stories on the stage for the general public.
PRODUCTION DETAILS:
Title: THAT’S WEIRD, GRANDMA: It Came from the Voting Booth
Written by: Chicago Public School Students
Adapted for the stage by: Barrel of Monkeys Company Members
Director: Artistic Director Joseph Schupbach
Featuring: Barrel of Monkeys Company Members
Location: Neo-Futurist Theater, 5153 N. Ashland Ave. in Chicago
Dates: August 22 – October 3, 2016 and October 24 – November 28, 2016
Press performance: Monday, August 29 at 8 pm
Curtain Times: Mondays at 8 pm
Tickets: $12 for adults; $6 for children under 12. Tickets are available at www.barrelofmonkeys.org or by calling (773) 506-7140.
CHICAGO FRINGE FESTIVAL
Location: Jefferson Playhouse, 4766 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago
Dates/Times: Sunday, September 4 at 1 pm, Saturday September 10 at 4 pm and Sunday, September 11 at 2:30 pm
Tickets: visit chicagofringe.org.
About the Director
Joseph Schupbach has directed shows for Barrel of Monkeys, North Park University, Murakami Sound Machine and InGen Productions – a company of which he is co-founder and former Artistic Director. Joseph has assistant directed for The Ruffians and The Neo-Futurists and has performed all over Chicago. In November 2014, he was appointed Barrel of Monkeys’ new Artistic Director, having served as the company’s Education Coordinator since 2011.
About Barrel of Monkeys
Since Barrel of Monkeys’ inception in 1997, its teaching artists have served more than 60 Chicago Public Schools. Over 15,000 elementary school students have participated in the Barrel of Monkeys programs, which aim to build students’ writing skills, improve self-esteem, and instill confidence in their ideas and abilities.
For additional information, view Barrel of Monkeys’ annual report here.