Barrel of Monkeys Presents Free 'Celebration of Authors' Today

The young writers from Barrel of Monkeys' Chicago Public Schools and after-school programs are honored at the 11th annual "Celebration of Authors" tonight, June 11 at 7:30 p.m. (6:30 p.m. reception). This yearly tradition features performances of a selection of the best stories from the year. Over 30 actor-educators will perform the childrens' stories on stage for the authors, their families and schoolmates. "Celebration of Authors" is in a new location at the University of Chicago's Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts, 915 E. 60th Street. The performance is free and open to the public, however seating is limited and reservations are required by calling Barrel of Monkeys at 312-409-1954.

Barrel of Monkeys partners with 14 schools in 60 classrooms and two after-school programs including a new partnership with the University of Chicago's Teaching Lab Collaborations (TLC). After conducting creative writing residencies with 3rd through 5th graders, the students generate literally thousands of stories. Barrel of Monkeys adapts students' stories for the stage, performs them for the students in the school and shares them with the public through "That's Weird, Grandma" each week at the Neo Futurist Theater, 5153 N. Ashland Ave.

"This is an exciting event for the actors and educators involved in our programming, but most importantly, for the students." said Program Director, Elizabeth Levy. "This is a way to further our mission of sharing students' personal voices and celebrating the power of their imaginations on a grand scale."

At "Celebration of Authors", audience members get the opportunity to meet the authors, the teachers and the principals from the schools Barrel of Monkeys members have worked with during the school year. This special evening brings the education community that Barrel of Monkeys serves throughout the year together with the larger community to experience the talented minds of the student-authors.

During the 2012-2013 school year, Barrel of Monkeys has worked with William K New Sullivan Elementary School, Thomas Chalmers Specialty Elementary School, Avondale-Logandale School, Columbia Explorers Elementary Academy, Federico Garcia Lorca Elementary School, Ignance Paderewski Elementary Learning Academy, Dewey Elementary Academy of Fine Arts, LEARN Charles and Dorothy Campbell Campus, Arthur Dixon Elementary School, Marquette School of Excellence, Morton School of Excellence, Willa Cather Elementary School, Dawes Elementary School and Lincolnwood Elementary School. In addition to the TLC program, Barrel of Monkeys offers an after-school program as an arts partner of the Loyola Park District.

A Chicago-based arts education theater ensemble, Barrel of Monkeys increases students' writing skills and confidence by offering residencies with a unique hybrid of creative writing and drama activities coupled with professional performance for students from underserved Chicago Public Schools. Student-written stories are adapted into professionally-performed theater presented both in-school and through performances for the general public. Barrel of Monkeys performs more than 300 student-written stories for the students in their schools and more than 175 stories on the stage for the public each year.

Barrel of Monkeys honors its student writers with the unique "Celebration of Authors" at 7:30 p.m. tonight, June 11 at a new location at the University of Chicago's Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts, 915 E. 60th Street. There will be a cookies and juice reception at 6:30 p.m. The performance is free and open to the public, however seating is limited and reservations are required by calling Barrel of Monkeys at 312-409-1954.

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