Barrel of Monkeys Wins $20K From Chase Giving

Barrel of Monkeys, the Chicago-based arts education theater ensemble, has proudly announced that it was voted one of the nation's worthiest charities during the second Chase Community Giving, a program that allows Facebook users to vote for which charities they want to receive corporate philanthropy. Chase is to award Barrel of Monkeys a grant of $20,000 to continue providing the best in arts education to lower-income elementary school students.

Barrel of Monkeys teaches creative writing workshops in Chicago Public Schools, then the ensemble adapts the stories into sketches and songs which are performed for the school, and later for the public as part of the long-running hit show, That's Weird, Grandma.

After weeks of rallying fans and supporters, Barrel of Monkeys finished in 139th place with 1,615 votes, placing in the top 200 of over 500,000 charities across the nation. In all, 2.5 million people participated in the 2010 Chase Community Giving campaign allowing these top 200 charities to share in $5 million of donations.

However, this exciting $20,000 grant will not simply be a bonus for the organization, but rather will help compensate for the dramatic decrease in support since the economic downturn began.
"This is especially important to our organization at this time. It is not as if receiving this grant is like finding money in the couch and thinking, ‘Great! Let's buy another couch!' It's more like finding money in the couch and thinking, ‘Great! We don't have to sell the couch!'" explains Executive Director Amanda Farrar.

Barrel of Monkeys' staff, company members, volunteers and the schools they serve are truly grateful for the support of so many. To show that, some of their hard-working company members and volunteers have made a series of humiliating and/or hilarious "thank you" videos. If you like on-the-fly dancing, office-made videos and camels, or at least student-penned stories, you'll find something that tickles your fancy. The videos can be found here: http://www.barrelofmonkeys.org/blog/comments/the_chase_is_complete/

Barrel of Monkeys is especially proud to be among the 15 Chicago theaters that were voted into the top 200. The other worthy recipients were Stage Left Theatre, Theatre Seven Of Chicago, Strawdog Theatre Company, The Neo Futurists, The Hypocrites, The House Theatre Of Chicago, Backstage Theatre Company, About Face Theatre Collective, The Strange Tree Group, pH Productions, Chemically Imbalanced Productions, Will Act For Food, Eclipse Theatre Company, and Wildclaw Theatre.

"This was a national competition, and $300,000 of the granted monies will land here in Chicago. This is just further proof of the wonderfully supportive theater community that exists here," beams Farrar.

That's Weird, Grandma - Weekly Public Performances by Barrel of Monkeys
Adored by audiences of all ages and praised by critics, Barrel of Monkeys' long-running hit is a hilarious, bizarre and high-energy presentation of songs and sketches written by kids. That's Weird, Grandma changes each week and has now produced over 1000 stories and musical numbers. The Chicago Tribune describes it as "so respectful of how kids think, it sidesteps 'Kids-Say-the-Darndest-Things' syndrome, veering into lunacy, social criticism, even poignancy." Kids write it, Barrel of Monkeys performs it, and the world is saved one show at a time.

Every Monday night @ 8pm through August 9, 2010.

The Neo-Futurarium, 5153 N Ashland Ave (Foster & Ashland), Chicago, IL 60640.

$10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under.

Tickets can be purchased at 312.409.1954 or BarrelofMonkeys.org.

About Barrel of Monkeys
Barrel of Monkeys is an arts education theater ensemble now in its twelfth year of working with some of the most under-served students in Chicago. Barrel of Monkeys' writing workshops create an alternative learning environment in which children build self-esteem and confidence by sharing their personal voices and celebrating the power of their imaginations. The stories the children write are then adapted for the stage by professional actors, and presented as a smart, funny theatre experience. Learn more at BarrelofMonkeys.org

About Chase Community Giving
Chase Community Giving is a program that allows Facebook users to vote for local charities that matter most to them. By participating, users help Chase direct corporate philanthropy dollars to eligible organizations in the following focus areas: primary and secondary education, youth development, healthcare, housing, community development, the environment, combating hunger, arts and culture, human services, and animal welfare. Chase first began Chase Community Giving in October 2009, aiming to inspire a new Way Forward for corporate philanthropy and to give individuals the opportunity to help decide which charities should share $5 million in donations. In this year's program 195 charities will receive $20,000 each, four runners-up will receive $100,000 each, and the winning charity, will receive $250,000. On top of that, an Advisory Board will select other charities to split an additional $500,000. Voting began on June 15, 2010 and ended on July 12, 2010. Learn more at apps.facebook.com/chasecommunitygiving.

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