Sha Norman Named New Barrel of Monkeys Program Director

Barrel of Monkeys (BOM) has announced the appointment of Shá Norman as the company's new Program Director. Norman is responsible for overseeing all of BOM's educational activities, including in-school programming, after-school programming, professional development and training new teaching artists. She succeeds Brandon Cloyd, who now serves as the company's Artistic Director.

Comments Artistic Director Brandon Cloyd, "Shá is an incredible artist, educator and human. She has an extensive background in education and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the company. She is a great collaborator and a joy to work - and I look forward to working with her to advance Barrel of Monkeys' dedication to arts education in Chicago Public Schools."

Shá Norman is an artist, educator and community organizer with a passion for youth services and programming. She brings six years of experience in Community Schools, providing a variety of student and family services i.e. before and after schools programs, summer camps and vision clinics; in both CPS and District 65. She has been with Barrel of Monkeys since Fall 2012. She steadfastly believes that creativity and self expression are essential in the holistic development of young people, and is elated to move into the role of Program Director with Barrel of Monkeys.

Barrel of Monkeys, a Chicago-based arts education theater ensemble now in its 21st 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.

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, visit barrelofmonkeys.org.