PlayMakers Laboratory’s
STORIES UNDER THE SUN
Tours Chicago Neighborhoods This Summer
Through Night Out in the Parks
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 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.
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.
The cast includes Jen Allman, Kaitlyn Andrews, Ashley Bland, Elisa Carlson, Linsey Falls, Sonia Goldberg and Kayla Pulley.
PlayMakers Laboratory company members perform during the Chicago Park District’s
Night Out in the Parks. Photo by Ashley Bland.
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
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.