PlayMakers Laboratory's STORIES UNDER THE SUN

Chicago IL

16 June, 2021

12:59 PM

Description

PlayMakers Laboratory is pleased to present Stories Under the Sun, a series of free, family-friendly performances presented across the city this summer through the Chicago Park District's Night Out in the Parks initiative. Performed in the style of PML's much-lauded sketch comedy revue That's Weird, Grandma, the stories featured in Stories Under the Sun are written by Chicago elementary school students, adapted for the stage and performed by PlayMakers Laboratory company members and directed by Artistic Director Brandon Cloyd. No reservations necessary – all ages welcome. For additional information, visit playmakerslab.org. The cast includes Jen Allman, Kaitlyn Andrews, Ashley Bland, Elisa Carlson, Linsey Falls, Sonia Goldberg and Kayla Pulley. Now in its 20th year, That's Weird, Grandma features adaptations of stories written during PlayMakers Laboratory's creative writing residencies in Chicago elementary schools. PML's ensemble of professional actors, comedians and musicians bring the young authors' stories to life as raucous sketches, songs and movement pieces, performing first for students in their schools and then for the public. These stories – from hilarious dialogues between unlikely characters to poignant pleas for social change – resonate with adults while celebrating the imaginations of young people. Performance Schedule: Tuesday, July 6 at 5 pm - Cole Park, 361 E. 85th St., Chicago Rain date: Tuesday, July 13 at 5 pm Wednesday, July 7 at 5 pm - Gill Park, 825 W. Sheridan Rd., Chicago Rain date: Wednesday, July 14 at 5 pm Thursday, July 8 at 5 pm - Moore Park, 5085 W. Adams St., Chicago Thursday, July 15 at 5 pm This program is presented as part of the Chicago Park District's Night Out in the Parks. Arts programming in neighborhoods across the city advances the goals of the Chicago Park District and the Chicago Cultural Plan. Learn more at nightoutintheparks.com. About the Director Brandon Cloyd joined PlayMakers Laboratory in 2007 and has been deeply involved in many facets of the company ever since. Prior to joining PML, Brandon graduated from Northwestern University with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and a minor in Business Institutions. Within PML, Brandon has served as an actor, teaching artist, lead teacher, a member of Teacher Corps, as well as directing shows for schools and public performances of That's Weird, Grandma. Before becoming the company's Artistic Director in September 2017, Brandon served as PML After-School Program Coordinator at Loyola Park from 2014-2016 and Program Director from 2016-2017. Outside of PML, he worked as the Associate Director of Camp Echo, where he has spent 13 summers managing campers and staff at a co-ed sleep away camp in Upstate New York. Brandon has worked with other theatre companies including Urban Theatre Company, American Theater Company, Filament Theatre, InGen Productions, ACLE's Teatrino in Italy and Purple Crayon Players at Northwestern University. Brandon recently joined the Board of Directors for the League of Chicago Theatres. About PlayMakers Laboratory Since PlayMakers Laboratory's inception in 1997 as Barrel of Monkeys, its teaching artists have served more than 60 Chicago Public Schools. Over 15,000 elementary school students have participated in the PlayMakers programs, which aim to build students' writing skills, improve self-esteem, and instill confidence in their ideas and abilities.