Photo Flash: First Look at Barrel of Monkeys' CELEBRATION OF AUTHORS

Barrel of Monkeys, in collaboration with the The University of Chicago Department of Theatre and Performance Studies, invites you to join student-authors, their classmates, family and educators for the annual CELEBRATION OF AUTHORS, featuring performances of student-written stories created at all of its partner schools and after-school program during the 2014-2015 season. Performed by more than 30 Barrel of Monkeys actors and musicians and directed by Artistic Director Joseph Schupbach, this FREE event takes place Tuesday, June 2, 2015 at 7:30 pm (6:30 pm reception) at the University of Chicago''s Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts, 915 E 60th St. in Chicago. For reservations, please call (312) 409-1954.

During 2014-15, Barrel of Monkeys worked with eleven Chicago Public school partners in 31 classrooms, plus one after-school program. The Chicago-based arts education theater ensemble, now in its 18th 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 through its year-round review, 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 Public Schools served by Barrel of Monkeys during the 2014-15 season include: Willa Cather Elementary, Chalmers School of Excellence, Columbia Explorers Academy, Dewey School of Excellence, Dixon Elementary, Dvorak School of Excellence, Herzl School of Excellence, Johnson School of Excellence, Lorca Elementary, Morton School of Excellence and Poe Classical. Barrel of Monkeys is also an Arts Partner in Residence at Loyola Park District.

Photos by Beth Bullock