The Famous Columbia Explorers Academy!

Posted by Tai on January 28, 2009 at 08:30 AM
School Shows School Workshops

Rehearsals for the Columbia Explorers show started yesterday. I’m very excited about the show. This residency was a blast, but I wouldn’t expect any less from the kids at this school. The four-class residency was split between two days per week, with myself and volunteer Mariah on Tuesdays, Kate and volunteer Mani on Wednesdays, and rockstars Ricky, Jason, and Sarah teaching both days.

Barrel of Monkeys has been teaching at Columbia Explorers Academy for years, since back when it was called Davis-Shields Elementary, and is the birthplace of “That’s Weird, Grandma” favorites Cereal Story and Untitled (Astronauts).

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New Sullivan, so delicious…

Posted by Katie Marie on January 27, 2009 at 07:17 PM
School Shows

Monkey friends! The New Sullivan show is almost upon us (Thursday! Thursday!) and, really, no word describes it better than “delicious”.  Molly’s healthy and hearty baked goods aside, this show is full of mouth-watering yumminess.

Would you like a sample?

Take “A Girl in Her Kitchen” by Elizabeth A., a tale of loneliness, friendship, and Chinese food made of diamonds.

Still hungry?

How about a fast-paced (Seriously fast-paced, people. Like a hummingbird on espresso fast-paced.) dialogue from Fernando G., which takes place between two friends over some cake, a cookie and a lollypop? Sugar…

Need more? Seriously?

Try some “I Am the President of the Map”, an argument by Skye T. and Kemala B., which begins: “I believe that the world will be a girly place. 1. My first reason is I want ponies and cupcakes and they will be pink. The girls will have on pink sparkle dress.” See Joe below, demonstrating pink cupcakes (Sans pink sparkle dress. Sorry.)

Not to brag or anything, but this show is going to be a decadent 20-course meal fit for kings. New Sullivan had better bring their elastic-waisted pants…

That’s Weird Grandma, January 26th, 2008

Posted by Heidi on January 26, 2009 at 02:15 PM
That's Weird Grandma

It’s time for another awesome week of “That’s Weird, Grandma”.

Acknowledging that the New Year has passed, the seasonal “Oh My God I Found My Sister’s Friend” is out, replaced by the beautiful “City Poem” and hilarious “I went to a splash party”.

We hope you’ll come join us. Full running order, as always, after the jump.

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TWG January 19th, 2008

Posted by Heidi on January 19, 2009 at 03:13 PM
That's Weird Grandma

Happy Martin Luther King day! Happy Day Before Inauguration Day!

Tonight we come back after a week off with a new cast and, as always, a couple new stories. This week we’ve added three new stories. Topically, one is a weather-related revenge piece, plus an amazing dance piece and a dialogue between a mummy (stuck in a cage) and a doll.

As always, the full runlist is after the jump. We hope to see you at the show!

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Trumbull Pics

Posted by Rachel on January 16, 2009 at 12:40 AM
School Shows

I thought you might be happy to see some pictures from our recent school show at Trumbull. This was the most awesome show ever because I got to play a Lord of the Rings style elf, but there were some other high points as well. We were honored to see they put us on the schedule . . .

. . . and gave us a beautiful place to perform.

Because they’re our neighbors, it wasn’t hard for us to visualize their site-specific stories, like this one in which a deadly fart attacks Andersonville.

Company Manager and TWG Stage Manager Maggie taught at the school, so she joined us in performance. Not only did she perform like a champ, she also put her tech skills to use, working with Brad to create an epic piece combining shadow play with live action (this was the part with the elf!!!)

The children freaked out (in the very best way) when Brad, also a teacher, played a Granny who helps her grandkids kick their shopping habit.

The whole show pretty much rocked!