I was recently both humbled and excited to have been highlighted in the Second inaugural addition of the TEACHING ARTIST GUILD (TAG) QUARTERLY. Although TAG is relatively new as an organization, it is a marvelous time to get on board and become aware of all of the support, resources, opportunities and advocacy provided by this collective of national experts in the field of teaching artistry that spans all art disciplines.
TAG has it's first inaugural issue over the summer and in this BACK TO SCHOOL ISSUE (Fall 2015), the magazine takes a slight focus on Chicago, particularly as it reflects various types of trainings and professional developments for TA's and several "spotlighted" organizations here in the Windy City. (One of whom is Steppenwolf).
From now on, each issue will feature a variety of Teaching Artists, along with its vast array of informative articles, unique perspectives and documentation of various kinds of individuals that do this kind of work. I am so fortunate and blessed to have been selected as the first person to receive this "little extra attention".
I'll be adding TAG's link to the websites I cherish most, on here as well.
Thanks again for giving me this opportunity to share a bit about my work and experience on such a national platform. And extra special gratitude to friend and colleague NICOLE RIPLEY, as well as the other members of TAG's board for making this all happen.
And thanks of course to Lookingglass Theatre Company, Global Voices Initiative, Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Columbia College Chicago's CCAP, Adventure Stage Chicago and all of the other various organizations, schools. artists, administrators, funders, parents, teachers and students whom have been a part of my collective practice in Chicago.
NEWS
TAG QUARTERLY FALL 2015 P1
FEATURE ARTICLE IN TAG QUARTERLY
ROOTIN' TOOTIN' WITH THE BIG GUN!
SYA CELEBRATES WITH ROWB
A NEW LOOK, A NEW LENS
GLASS UNVEILS NEW WEBSITE
SEE A HERO, BE A HERO!
ASC GALA A TERRIFIC SUCCESS!
this past saturday (11/16/13), ADVENTURE STAGE CHICAGO had the opportunity to celebrate a 10 year milestone and share its mission for the future, with its FALL GALA: SEE A HERO!, BE A HERO!
the event was a huge success, as members of the greater ASC community came together to support the work with food, drink, music and a special remount performance of SIX STORIES TALL. something that I am particularly proud of in having been a part of the original production last fall, is the fact that a "condensed version of this show", featuring many of the original cast members, was selected to perform at THE AUDITORIUM THEATRE, to an audience of over 1,200 CPS students on FRIDAY NOVEMBER 8TH! (long story about how this came to be --- so if you are curious, HIT ME UP!) there was also an opportunity to do a few educational matinees at THE VITTUM THEATER, during the week preceding the GALA.
it was quite a long day for me, as i was involved in set-up, the event, and then clean up: painting, linens, sweeping, decoration, food prep and refurbishing, meeting and greeting guests etc. but it was such a memorable evening. congrats on the entire ASC COMPANY in being able to transform BURNSIDE HALL into a swanky, almost unrecognizable venue "fashionably-flared" with a SUPERHERO THEME!
so proud to be part of the vision as an ASSOCIATE ARTIST at ASC, as we move ahead with our revised mission statement:
ADVENTURE STAGE CHICAGO creates and tells heroic stories about young people. We do this to engage our community and inspire all of us to be heroes in our own lives. We believe the world needs more heroes, and we invite you to be a hero with us.
SEE A HERO!, BE A HERO!
the event was a huge success, as members of the greater ASC community came together to support the work with food, drink, music and a special remount performance of SIX STORIES TALL. something that I am particularly proud of in having been a part of the original production last fall, is the fact that a "condensed version of this show", featuring many of the original cast members, was selected to perform at THE AUDITORIUM THEATRE, to an audience of over 1,200 CPS students on FRIDAY NOVEMBER 8TH! (long story about how this came to be --- so if you are curious, HIT ME UP!) there was also an opportunity to do a few educational matinees at THE VITTUM THEATER, during the week preceding the GALA.
it was quite a long day for me, as i was involved in set-up, the event, and then clean up: painting, linens, sweeping, decoration, food prep and refurbishing, meeting and greeting guests etc. but it was such a memorable evening. congrats on the entire ASC COMPANY in being able to transform BURNSIDE HALL into a swanky, almost unrecognizable venue "fashionably-flared" with a SUPERHERO THEME!
so proud to be part of the vision as an ASSOCIATE ARTIST at ASC, as we move ahead with our revised mission statement:
ADVENTURE STAGE CHICAGO creates and tells heroic stories about young people. We do this to engage our community and inspire all of us to be heroes in our own lives. We believe the world needs more heroes, and we invite you to be a hero with us.
SEE A HERO!, BE A HERO!
TREVOR AT AROT
MEDITATING ON MONKEY BUSINESS!
last night i had a "double your pleasure, double your fun" experience.
first of all, i saw a really intelligent and thought-provoking production at A RED ORCHID THEATER, entitled "TREVOR" by playwright NICK JONES.
second, seeing the production was also an opportunity to reunite with the MEN OF AQAAT (otherwise known as my fellow cast mates from AROT's production of IN A GARDEN last spring: ROM BARKHORDAR, SHANNON PARR, director LOU CONTEY and --- of course--- LARRY GRIMM.)
as adeptly described in a review by CHICAGOCRITIC.COM's THOMAS WILLIAMS:
"Nick Jones is a clever writer know for his quirky subject matter and TREVOR sure fits that mold. It is a dark comedy that centers on a chimpanzee played by LARRY GRIMM. Jones uses the technique of having TREVOR (Grimm) speak as the chimpanzee that only us audience members can understand-and- Trevor, the chimpanzee can’t understand the humans, But, of course, we can understand both. This ingredient garners much humor as we hear Trevor verbalize his thoughts, dreams and desires. We also see his loving mother figure, Sandra (MIERKA GIRTEN) as she struggles to maintain Trevor as her housemate rather than a caged animal. Trevor wants to return as a TV actor while Sandra fights against a world that wants to institutionalize Trevor in the name of public safety."
the play, as you might surmise, was inspired in part by the real life event that made national headlines when a REAL CHIMP named TRAVIS and his owner SANDRA HEROLD became infamous after he suddenly attacked CHARLA NASH a friend of Herold. the chimp mauled and blinded her while severing her nose, ears, both hands and severely lacerating her face in February of 2009. the chimp was subsequently shot dead on the arrival of the police, after trying to attack an officer.
whether you are simply intrigued, in the mood for a dark comedy, or connected to the many metaphorical elements and questions that this engaging production poses to its audience --- i highly recommend you go before it closes in the next two weeks!
you will not regret it. congratulations to the entire cast and crew of TREVOR on a marvelous production!
first of all, i saw a really intelligent and thought-provoking production at A RED ORCHID THEATER, entitled "TREVOR" by playwright NICK JONES.
second, seeing the production was also an opportunity to reunite with the MEN OF AQAAT (otherwise known as my fellow cast mates from AROT's production of IN A GARDEN last spring: ROM BARKHORDAR, SHANNON PARR, director LOU CONTEY and --- of course--- LARRY GRIMM.)
as adeptly described in a review by CHICAGOCRITIC.COM's THOMAS WILLIAMS:
"Nick Jones is a clever writer know for his quirky subject matter and TREVOR sure fits that mold. It is a dark comedy that centers on a chimpanzee played by LARRY GRIMM. Jones uses the technique of having TREVOR (Grimm) speak as the chimpanzee that only us audience members can understand-and- Trevor, the chimpanzee can’t understand the humans, But, of course, we can understand both. This ingredient garners much humor as we hear Trevor verbalize his thoughts, dreams and desires. We also see his loving mother figure, Sandra (MIERKA GIRTEN) as she struggles to maintain Trevor as her housemate rather than a caged animal. Trevor wants to return as a TV actor while Sandra fights against a world that wants to institutionalize Trevor in the name of public safety."
the play, as you might surmise, was inspired in part by the real life event that made national headlines when a REAL CHIMP named TRAVIS and his owner SANDRA HEROLD became infamous after he suddenly attacked CHARLA NASH a friend of Herold. the chimp mauled and blinded her while severing her nose, ears, both hands and severely lacerating her face in February of 2009. the chimp was subsequently shot dead on the arrival of the police, after trying to attack an officer.
whether you are simply intrigued, in the mood for a dark comedy, or connected to the many metaphorical elements and questions that this engaging production poses to its audience --- i highly recommend you go before it closes in the next two weeks!
you will not regret it. congratulations to the entire cast and crew of TREVOR on a marvelous production!
