Photo Flash: Barrel of Monkeys Presents Annual CELEBRATION OF AUTHORS

Barrel of Monkeys invites you to join student-authors, their classmates, families and educators for the annual CELEBRATION OF AUTHORS, featuring performances of student-written stories created at each of its partner schools and after-school program during the 2017-18 season. Performed by Barrel of Monkeys ensemble of actors and musicians and directed by Artistic Director Brandon Cloyd, this FREE event takes place Tuesday, June 12, 2018 at 6:30 pm (6:30 pm pre-show reception and activities, 7 pm curtain) at the University of Chicago's Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts, 915 E. 60th St. in Chicago. For reservations, please visit barrelofmonkeys.org/coa or call (773) 506-7140.

During the 2017-18 season, Barrel of Monkeys worked with 18 school partners in 49 classrooms, plus its after-school program. The Chicago-based arts education theater ensemble, now in its 21st season, conducts creative writing workshops with 3rd through 5th grade students in underserved Chicago elementary 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 200 student-written stories for the students in their schools and 175 stories on the stage for the general public through its year-round variety show, THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA at the Neo-Futurist Theater, 5153 N. Ashland Ave. in Chicago. For additional information on Barrel of Monkeys' educational programs and public performances, please visit www.barrelofmonkeys.org.

Chicago elementary schools served by Barrel of Monkeys during the 2017-18 season include Columbia Explorers Academy, Helen C. Peirce School, Herzl School of Excellence, Carter Elementary School, Morton School of Excellence, Dixon Elementary School, Poe Classical School, Sherman School of Excellence, Dewey School of Excellence, Dvorak School or Excellence, Chalmers School of Excellence, Johnson School of Excellence, Cherokee Elementary, Sheridan Elementary, Everett Elementary, Wharton Elementary, Graves Elementary and Walker Elementary.

Photo by Beth Bullock.