Joseph Schupbach Named New Artistic Director of Barrel of Monkeys

Barrel of Monkeys is pleased to announce the appointment of Joseph Schupbach as the company's new Artistic Director effective November 3, 2014. Schupbach began his involvement with Barrel of Monkeys in 2005 and has served full-time as Education Coordinator since 2011. He succeeds Molly Brennan who stepped down September 2014 after serving as Artistic Director since 2011. Schupach is the Barrel of Monkeys' fifth Artistic Director since its inception in 1997.

"Since 2005 when Joseph Schupbach began his internship at Barrel of Monkeys, he has lived and breathed the mission to celebrate the power of children's imaginations," comments Barrel of Monkeys' Executive Director Amanda Farrar. "By embracing collaboration, a teaching model based on positive affirmation, and an ensemble of actor/educators who challenge one another artistically in the classroom and rehearsal room, Joseph has achieved great things in Barrel of Monkeys and beyond. Barrel of Monkeys' artistic vision is in caring, capable and ambitious hands," adds Farrar.

"As Barrel of Monkeys celebrates its 18th year of artistic excellence, I am delighted and humbled to partner with Program Director Elizabeth Levy in leading the company," comments Schupbach. "I am excited about bringing my skills and institutional knowledge to the role and discovering the next chapter of this organization's story," adds Schupbach.

About Joseph Schupbach - Joseph Schupbach began his involvement with Barrel of Monkeys in 2005 and was cast as an ensemble member in 2007. After serving as After-School Program Coordinator, he was promoted to the new full-time position of Education Coordinator in June 2011. Joseph has served as a professional teaching artist in Chicago for multiple organizations including Lookingglass Theatre and St. Clement School. He has directed shows for Barrel of Monkeys, North Park University, Murakami Sound Machine and InGen Productions - a company of which he is co-founder and Artistic Director. Joseph has assistant directed for The Ruffians and The Neo-Futurists and has performed all over Chicago.

About Barrel of Monkeys - Barrel of Monkeys, a 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.

Since Barrel of Monkeys' inception in 1997 it has worked in 60 Chicago Public Schools. More than 8,000 lower-income elementary school students have participated in the Barrel of Monkeys programs that provide a rare opportunity for creative expression and build literacy skills, self-esteem and confidence in student ideas and abilities.

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