CHICAGO ( July 16, 2019 ) — Barrel of Monkeys, one of Chicago's leaders in arts education, will present free creative writing workshops and public performances August 5 — 10, 2019 through the new Millennium Park Theatre Series, presented by The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events ( DCASE )as part of the 2019 Year of Chicago Theatre. Nine local theatre companies have been commissioned for one-week summer residencies and will present site-specific theatre performances that engage Millennium Park's unique architecture, design and public art.
Inspired by the beautiful surroundings of Millennium Park, writers of all ages are invited to work with Barrel of Monkeys' actor-educators in a series of one-hour writing workshops. The actors will then bring the stories to life through hilarious sketches, songs and dance presented in an open dress rehearsal and final public performance. Recommended for families with children ages 7 to 17.
Barrel of Monkeys, a Chicago-based arts education theater ensemble, now in its 22nd season, conducts creative writing residencies in Chicago elementary schools. The ensemble of actor-educators then turns the students' 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 .
Workshop and performance schedule
Workshops: Monday, August 5, Tuesday, August 6 and Wednesday, August 7 from 11 am — 2 pm throughout Boeing Gallery South and other various locations.
Dress rehearsal: Thursday, August 8 at 5 pm in Cloud Gate Plaza ( open to the public ).
Performances: Friday, August 9 at 1 pm & 5 pm and Saturday, August 10 at 1 pm & 5 pm in Cloud Gate Plaza.
For additional details, visit MillenniumPark.org .
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.
Barrel of Monkeys is sponsored in part by Wintrust Financial, Allscripts, Inc., Ernst and Young and Punchkick Interactive. It receives generous support from the Illinois Arts Council Agency; the National Endowment for the Arts; a CityArts Grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events; the Chicago Community Trust; Crown Family Philanthropies; Alphawood Foundation of Chicago; the Maurice R. and Meta G. Gross Foundation; Polk Bros Foundation; the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation; the Robert and Isabelle Bass Foundation, Inc.; The Saints; The Topfer Family Foundation, and many other generous individuals and foundations.
2019 Year of Chicago Theatre
The City of Chicago and the League of Chicago Theatres have designated 2019 as the 'Year of Chicago Theatre.' This citywide, year-long focus on theatre is the first of its kind in the U.S. The initiative includes performances and special events for the public at hundreds of cultural venues, theaters, parks and neighborhood locations throughout the city. The City of Chicago and its partners will also launch a marketing campaign; provide additional financial grants to theatre projects; encourage dialog around inclusion and equity; and call on civic, philanthropic, arts and business leaders to support the theatre community. To truly fall in love with Chicago, you must go to our theatres. This is where the city bares its fearless soul. From Broadway musicals to storefront plays and improv, there's a seat waiting for you at one of our 200+ theatres. Book your next show today at ChicagoPlays.com .
Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events
The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events is dedicated to enriching Chicago's artistic vitality and cultural vibrancy. This includes fostering the development of Chicago's non-profit arts sector, independent working artists and for-profit arts businesses; providing a framework to guide the City's future cultural and economic growth, via the 2012 Chicago Cultural Plan; marketing the City's cultural assets to a worldwide audience; and presenting high-quality, free and affordable cultural programs for residents and visitors.
The Millennium Park Summer Theatre Residencies are made possible by the generosity of the Bayless Family Foundation. Additional support from the Millennium Park Foundation and the Lloyd A. Fry Foundation Endowment at Millennium Park Foundation, in conjunction with the summer-long Family Fun Festival, will help to support theatre programs for families including daily, interactive drama workshops presented by Lookingglass Theatre July 22-26 at Chase Promenade North.
—From a press release
