Barrel of Monkeys Presents Celebration of Authors 2010 6/8

Barrel of Monkeys, the Chicago-based arts education theater ensemble, has announced their ninth annual Celebration of Authors event will take place at the Harold Washington Cultural Center on Tuesday, June 8 at 7pm.

Barrel of Monkeys teaches creative writing workshops in Chicago Public Schools, then the ensemble adapts the stories into sketches and songs which are performed for the school, and later for the public as part of the long-running, ever-changing hit, That's Weird, Grandma. Kids write it, Barrel of Monkeys performs it, and the world is saved one show at a time.

But where would Barrel of Monkeys be without the Chicago Public School students who provide their material? Nowhere!

With the gigantic Celebration of Authors event, the Monkeys invite these amazing student authors, their families and their classmates to see their work performed on a public stage for the first time. This 75 minute show consists of ALL NEW student-authored, adult-performed stories selected from each school. More than 30 Barrel of Monkeys ensemble members will bring them to exhilarating, hilarious life. Audience members have the rare opportunity to meet the authors, the teachers and the principals from the schools Barrel of Monkeys members have worked with in this school year. This one special night brings together both the educational and theater communities that Barrel of Monkeys serves all year.

As always, Celebration of Authors is a free event (members of the public are invited to make a small donation if they are able), but unlike years past, it will be held in an exciting new performance space, the Harold Washington Cultural Center!

Celebration of Authors 2010

Tuesday, June 8 @ 7pm.

The Harold Washington Cultural Center, 4701 S Martin Luther King Dr, Chicago, IL 60615.

FREE admission. Donations welcome.

Reservations are recommended and can be made at 312.409.1954 or BarrelofMonkeys.org.

Summer Schedule of That's Weird, Grandma
Adored by audiences of all ages and praised by critics, Barrel of Monkeys' long-running hit is a hilarious, bizarre and high-energy presentation of songs and sketches written by kids. That's Weird, Grandma changes each week and has now produced over 1000 stories and musical numbers. The Chicago Tribune describes it as "so respectful of how kids think, it sidesteps 'Kids-Say-the-Darndest-Things' syndrome, veering into lunacy, social criticism, even poignancy."

Every Monday night @ 8pm, including Memorial Day!

NO performance on June 7, the week of Celebration of Authors. Performances resume June 14 and continue uninterrupted through August 9, 2010.

The Neo-Futurarium, 5153 N Ashland Ave (Foster & Ashland), Chicago, IL 60640.

$10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under.

Tickets can be purchased at 312.409.1954 or BarrelofMonkeys.org.

About Barrel of Monkeys
Barrel of Monkeys is an arts education theater ensemble now in its twelfth year of working with some of the most under-served students in Chicago. Barrel of Monkeys' writing workshops create an alternative learning environment in which children build self-esteem and confidence by sharing their personal voices and celebrating the power of their imaginations. The stories the children write are then adapted for the stage by professional actors, and presented as a smart, funny theatre experience. Learn more at BarrelofMonkeys.org

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