Playmakers Laboratory Theatre

This week PlayMakers Laboratory is visiting 6 Chicago Public Libraries teaching storytelling to young readers!Check us out at Thurgood Marshall, Brainerd, Douglass, Humboldt Park, Near North, & Lozano!

https://chipublib.bibliocommons.com/v2/events?q=PlayMakers%20Laboratory

Did you get your 🎟️ TICKETS 🎟️YET? 🎟️

⏰THERE’S STILL TIME! ⏰

🌟Join us for our FIRST IN PERSON GALA EVENT SINCE 2019 🌟

🎉CELEBRATION OF AUTHORS GALA: A FAMILY FRIENDLY FUNDRAISER! 🎉

🎉🥳🎉🥳TODAY JUNE 16 at 6:30pm AT THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF MEXICAN ART IN PILSEN🎉🥳🎉🥳🎉

We have a wonderful night planned with:

❤️Silent Auction! Games! Food + Drinks!
🧡Open Bar for adult guests!
💛Photo Booth! Tarot Readings!
💚Balloon Animals with Clarke Newton!
💙Puppet Crafting with Chio Cabrera & Jake Coz!
🩵A Story Performed by Muffy Fishbasket!!
💜Special Guest: Christina Anthony!

YOU WON’T WANT TO MISS IT! CLICK THE LINK 4️⃣ TICKET INFO ‼️‼️

Have you ever wanted to set sail with a group of friends?! Experience you own private sailing ⛵️ excursion for 4 right here in Chicago! Just one of the many auctions items you can bid on this Friday June 16 at our Celebration of Authors Gala & Fundraiser! 🎉

Can’t attend the Gala?! 🚨Our online auction is LIVE 🚨 CHECK THIS OUT AS WELL AS OUR OTHER AMAZING AUCTIONS ITEMS!

🌟LINK FOR TICKETS & AUCTION IN OUR BIO🌟

🤩HAPPY BIDDING🤩

⚡️FLASH SALE ⚡️ TODAY ONLY! ⚡️

Get your Celebration of Authors Gala Tickets 🎟️ at a discount by using promo code: EARLYBIRD at check out.

🚨ADULT TICKETS ARE $25 OFF 🚨
🚨YOUTH TICKETS ARE $15 OFF 🚨

That means ADULT TICKETS are $50 instead of $75 😱

YOUTH TICKETS are $35 instead of $50😱

It’s ! Grab a friend and get ready to have some fun on June 16th!

Link for tickets is in our BIO ‼️
Also don’t forget to bid on our silent auction ‼️Link in BIO ‼️

🚨Our COA Auction is NOW OPEN 🚨 We have some fabulous prizes for you to bid on like a 7-day stay at the Vidanta Resort in Mexico, brewery packages, tickets to a Bears game, a sailing excursion, board games and more! Bidding ENDS the day of the gala on June 16 at 9:15pm CT! Get your tickets while you can! Links for tickets 🎟️ and to Bid on these auction items are located in the BIO! 🎉HAPPY BIDDING 🎉

🌟Meet Our Special Guest For Our Celebration of Authors Gala🌟

She's got the style of Gem and the Holograms with the grace and wisdom to empower anyone to be their authentic selves. Get ready for Story Hour with

Muffy Fishbasket! ❤️

🌟MUFFY FISHBASKET Is WORLD FAMOUS in her mind and the original Drag Broad. Her performance has been referred to as a mix of Madeline Khan confusion and Mae West camp, which is good because she's done her best to steal both of their acts. She has trained in circus arts at the Actors Gymnasium and Trapeze School New York and performs regularly at Hamburger Mary's , Carbon Arc, Campit and the House of Blues. Muffy had performed all over the country and sometimes even in a stage in an actual show!
Muffy Fishbasket is also the Chicago director for the nationally recognized Story Hour with Drag Queens.

🌟Meet Our Special Guest for Our Celebration of Authors Gala! 🌟

The Wonderfully Talented Clarke Newton!


Have you ever had a bad day and the only thing that could cheer you up was your very own Pokemon balloon animal? Or ever have a good day and you knew it could only get better with your very own balloon alien in a spaceship? Well you're in luck because we have the multi-talented Clarke Newton to dazzle you and your family with all your balloon animal needs!

🌟Clarke Newton (They/He) is a writer, actor, improvisor, producer, balloon artist, stilt walker etc. from the suburbs of Washington D.C., where they worked for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts as a Programming Coordinator and Festival Producer. Since moving to Chicago they have performed all over the city, including ComedySportz Chicago, the Second City, The Annoyance, Laugh Out Loud Theater, and Chicago SketchFest.

🌟MEET OUR SPECIAL GUESTS FOR OUR CELEBRATION OF AUTHORS GALA! 🌟

Ever want to learn the art of puppetry? 🎭 You and you family can get a chance to do just that at our 🌟Celebration of Authors Gala🌟 with spectacular duo,

Chio Cabrera-Coz and Jacob Coz!


🌟Rocio "Chio" Cabrera is a Mexican-American artist seeking to share traditional and new Hispanic stories through puppetry. Rocio is a self-taught multi-disciplinary artist focused on miniatures. She is currently working on a live puppetry performance about the surviving ancient Mayan codices titled, Juana And The Missing Mayan Book which will be featured at this year's Chicago Puppet Lab Showcase from June 1st-11th at Chopin Theatre.

🌟Jacob Cabrera Coz is a writer, puppeteer and builder. He's a Massachusetts born and raised creative. He's been involved in a number of productions alongside his wife, Chio Cabrera-Coz. Jacob will also be featured at this year's Chicago Puppet Lab Showcase puppeteering in Juana And The Missing Mayan Book at the Chopin Theatre from June 1st-11th.

Join us for an evening of giving ❤️ as we celebrate our first ⭐️IN PERSON ⭐️ GalaFundraiser since 2019‼️😱 We have a wonderful evening planned for you❣️as we honor our wonderful alum Christina Anthony with the PlayMaker Of The Year Award 🏆 Plus Our very own PlayMakers will be performing adapted stories from students from the 2022-2023 school year 😃 There will be food, silent auctions and so many fun activities! Also a chance to win a week stay at the 🏖️ Vidanta Resort in Mexico 🏝️ 🥳🥳 DON’T MISS OUT! TODAY IS THE LAST DAY FOR EARLY BIRD TICKETS 🎟️❤️🎟️❤️🎟️❤️🎟️ Tickets on the LinkTree in our Bio ❤️

Don’t miss out on your earlybird tickets to support a wonderful cause ❤️Tomorrow is the last day!

WHAT’S THAT YOU SAY?! Early Bird Ticket deadline is extended till May 22nd?! 🎉🥳🎉 ¡HUZZAH ! 🎉🥳🎉

Don’t miss out on your chance to get your Early Bird Tickets! 🎟️🎟️🎟️🎟️🎟️🎟️🎟️We hope you can join us Friday, June 16 from 6:30 to 10:30pm at the National Museum of Mexican Art in Pilsen!

Last January Playmakers laboratory was at risk of shutting down indefinitely. The pandemic hurt Playmakers Laboratory’s finances and ability to teach in schools. The nonprofits board voted to close the organization, a move that devastated company members and alumni. With the amazing efforts of our staff, volunteers, and supporters we were able to raise our goal of $60,000 to help us get back on our feet.

Our organization relies on the generosity of supporters and donors like you to continue our work. This year our Celebration of Authors Gala will give guests a chance to see a live performance of stories, written by students from the 2022 to 2023 school year, adapted for the stage by Playmakers very own teaching artists.

We hope we can count on you to make the celebration of authors event the best one yet! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

This year, PlayMakers Laboratory is proud to present ❤️🏆 The PlayMaker Of The Year Award 🏆❤️to none other than our PML alum Christina Anthony❣️


Christina Anthony is a multi-talented actress, writer, vocalist, and improviser. She is originally from the Chicago comedy scene and is best known as an emeritus company member of Playmakers Lab after teaching creative writing throughout Chicago Public Schools to countless students. Christina is also an alum of the Second City e.t.c. Chicago where she co-wrote three award-nominated sketch revues and performed thousands of shows for Chicago audiences.

Most recently, Christina was a series regular on the ABC Black-ish spinoff Mixed-ish and starred opposite Kristen Bell in the Netflix dark comedy series The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window. This spring, she made the move to NBC to appear in a lead role in Non-Evil Twin, a sitcom pilot created and starring Amber Ruffin.

We are thrilled to be able to honor Christina Anthony at this year’s Celebration Of Authors Gala on June 16. Early bird tickets are still on sale till May 22nd❣️ visit our Linktree in our bio to purchase!

WHAT’S THAT YOU SAY?! Early Bird Ticket deadline is extended till May 22nd?! 🎉🥳🎉 ¡HUZZAH ! 🎉🥳🎉

Don’t miss out on your chance to get your Early Bird Tickets! 🎟️🎟️🎟️🎟️🎟️🎟️🎟️We hope you can join us Friday, June 16 from 6:30 to 10:30pm at the National Museum of Mexican Art in Pilsen!

Last January Playmakers laboratory was at risk of shutting down indefinitely. The pandemic hurt Playmakers Laboratory’s finances and ability to teach in schools. The nonprofits board voted to close the organization, a move that devastated company members and alumni. With the amazing efforts of our staff, volunteers, and supporters we were able to raise our goal of $60,000 to help us get back on our feet.

Our organization relies on the generosity of supporters and donors like you to continue our work. This year our Celebration of Authors Gala will give guests a chance to see a live performance of stories, written by students from the 2022 to 2023 school year, adapted for the stage by Playmakers very own teaching artists.

We hope we can count on you to make the celebration of authors event the best one yet! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Early bird tickets for the Celebration of Authors Gala is now on sale!

We hope you can join us on June 16th at the National Museum of Mexican Art for our gala fundraiser. The night will include a Silent Auction, open bar and a performance by our very own Playmakers showcasing work from the entire 2022-2023 school year!
Clink link for tickets! https://www.paperlesspost.com/go/mLyVdNgUBeypAgC5JKVvG/pp_g/previewac9f36722ec850a587c35b261c01a503?utm_content=media&utm_source=flyer&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=flyer_invitation_v4 💃 💃🏽💃🏻💃🏿🕺🏽🕺🏿🕺

⭐️⭐️WE WERE FEATURED IN THE READER BEST OF CHICAGO 2022⭐️ ⭐️

FOR:🎉🎉 🎭 BEST ARTS EDUCATION PROGRAMMING 📝📓🎉🎉
�We are beyond grateful to be recognized in the Reader for the work we do to provide a platform where young children can express themselves creatively, in a world that will sometimes say, "You can't be an astronaut! You're too sweet!" (Vanessa, 4th Grade)

Check out the article in the Linktree in the bio 😃😃😃⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️😄😄😄

PlayMakers Laboratory's
Gala & Celebration of Authors
returns in-person for the first time since 2019! 💃💃💃💃💃💃💃🕺🕺🕺🕺🕺🕺 We hope you can join us on Friday, June 16 from 6:30pm to 10:30pm at the National Museum of Mexican Art in Pilsen!

Along with a performance of stories adapted by the PlayMakers from this school year, our Gala will feature a delightful evening of music, food & beverage and silent auction.

All proceeds support PlayMakers Laboratory's programming in under-served communities and the Chicago Public Schools. EARLY BIRD TICKETS ON SALE APRIL 15!!! 🎟 🎭 🎟 🎭

Our friends The Neo-Futurists are hosting Gemma Soldati and the family friendly show "The Adventures of Sleepyhead" on Saturday Feb. 18th! See a video preview here https://youtu.be/RbOwITkOvPY and tickets are available by visiting https://neofuturists.org/events/the-adventures-of-sleepyhead/

THE ADVENTURES OF SLEEPYHEAD
BY GEMMA SOLDATI

"She’s the dreamer of dreams. The walking-talking nap. A snoozer and a muser. Children and adults alike will delight in this adventure to the heart of dreamland as Sleepyhead fends off the Zzz… From the brain of award winning clown, Gemma Soldati, this otherworldly, interactive hour explores the source of imagination and the tick-tock of our internal clock. The Adventures of Sleepyhead promises better dreams and a good night sleep or your money back. Full of puppetry, audience participation and physical comedy. For dreamers of all ages!"

THANK YOU, Beyoncé & BeyGood for your recognition of PlayMakers Laboratory as an Organization Committed to Service!
We LOVE serving our students throughout Chicago and aim to do it for plenty more years to come.
PlayMakers Laboratory is a nonprofit organization in its 26th year. We provide arts education programs to students aged 7-13 throughout Chicago, focused on storytelling, theater, and social-emotional skills.
PML is an ensemble of teaching artists who create an experimental learning environment in which students share their personal voices and celebrate the power of their imaginations. PML accomplishes this through creative writing workshops and in-school performances of students stories. PML also engages the broader community in support of the visions of young people through public performances of their work.
Support our work at www.playmakerslab.org/donate

We had another WONDERFUL SHOW at Pottawattomie Park! Our fearless leader Kaylyn directed an amazing show, written by campers at Pottawattomie Park After School Program.
A highlight includes a student shouting out mid-premiere of a song “I LOVE THIS SONG!”
We are lucky to work with so many young people all over Chicago!

THANK YOU to everyone who made it out for our 25th Anniversary celebrating 25 Years of Students’ Stories! 🤩🌟
We are lucky to have a collective full of past and present PlayMakers Laboratory teaching artists & performers come back each time we do an anniversary show. Big love to our big fam ❤️
And it’s not too late to donate to our end-of-year giving campaign at the link in our bio!

TONIGHT! Make your way to the Neo-Futurist Theater for PlayMakers Laboratory’s 25 Years of Students’ Stories: A One Night Only Anniversary Performance. There are two performances at 6:30PM and 8:30PM. Tickets can be purchased for $25 in honor of our 25 years by heading to our website www.playmakerslab.org/shows
We recommend purchasing tickets in advance! IF you purchase tickets at the door, space is limited, and cash is preferred!

Thanks for visiting us this morning and chatting about our 25th Anniversary Show!
Catch our segment at 4pm today! then come to the show tonight at 6:30 or 8:30PM at the Neo-Futurists Theater!

Only a few more hours until PlayMakers Laboratory’s 25 Years of Students’ Stories: A One Night Only Anniversary Performance at the Neo-Futurist Theater.
There are two performances at 6:30PM and 8:30PM. Tickets can be purchased for $25 in honor of our 25 years by heading to our website www.playmakerslab.org
We recommend buying tickets in advance! IF you purchase tickets at the door, space is limited & cash is preferred!

TONIGHT! Come see PlayMakers Laboratory’s 25 Years of Students’ Stories: A One Night Only Anniversary Performance at the Neo-Futurist Theater on December 5, 2022.
There are two performances at 6:30PM and 8:30PM. Tickets can be purchased for $25 in honor of our 25 years by heading to our website www.playmakerslab.org
We recommend buying tickets in advance!! IF you purchase tickets at the door, cash is preferred!

OKAY, Let's CELEBRATE! TOMORROW! Come see PlayMakers Laboratory’s 25 Years of Students’ Stories: A One Night Only Anniversary Performance at the Neo-Futurist Theater on December 5, 2022.
TWO PERFORMANCES: 6:30PM and 8:30PM.
TICKETS can be purchased for $25 in honor of our 25 years by visiting http://ow.ly/TSNm50LSVxs
Not available to attend? Donate to our end-of-year giving campaign at our website!

THANK YOU, BLOCK CLUB CHICAGO! 🌟🌟 Get your tix now for our 25th Anniversary Show on Monday, December 5! Head to our website http://ow.ly/QnWv50LSBLl for tickets now! And read the full Block Club Chicago article at http://ow.ly/TT8n50LSBLn

From Block Club Chicago: "PlayMakers Laboratory nearly closed during the pandemic despite its more than two decades of teaching theater and creative writing to Chicago kids.

Its board voted to close due to lost opportunities to partner with schools and parks on programs. But after its staff and volunteers rallied to save the organization, PlayMakers will return to the stage Monday for two special 25th anniversary shows.

PlayMakers Laboratory’s “25 Years Of Students’ Stories” is 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. Monday at the Neo-Futurists Theater, 5153 N. Ashland Ave.

The show will be a take on PlayMakers’ flagship production, “That’s Weird, Grandma,” a live sketch show in which professional actors put on plays written by kids. For tickets ($25), click here.

The new show comes nearly a year after PlayMakers’ board voted to dissolve.

The pandemic has been especially brutal for PlayMakers, which receives funding through in-person instruction in schools and live performances, which were restricted during pandemic shutdowns. With its revenue streams gone, the board early this year decided to pull the plug, staff said at the time.

In response, staff members and supporters worked to form a new board for the group and organize an emergency fundraiser to keep the lights on. It worked, with PlayMakers raising more than $60,000 last spring, said Brandon Cloyd, executive artistic director at PlayMakers."

This we are giving the gift of storytelling to YOU, our faithful audience! This is a real story written by Lucy N in a PlayMakers Lab classroom. Join us today on to continue working towards our vision of a radically kind Chicago that champions students' ideas.

You can support the creativity of Chicago youth by purchasing tickets to see this story performed LIVE at our 25th Anniversary Show. You can also make a tax-deductible donation today to support 25 more years of inspiring imaginations! All at our website at www.playmakerslab.org
Thank you!

A House by Lucy N., Loyola Park After School Program

One day there was a house on ridge elfs lived there and the elfs just bought the house. The next day the elfs lived there one of the elfs went to the bathroom and all of the elf went after him but they all wanted to go to the bathroom in the house. There are 100 elfs waiting for the bathroom. There is one bathroom in the house. All the elf have name their names are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and on and on to 100 and elf number 1 says “We should have 100 bathrooms in this house.” So number 99 went to the neighbor and used their bathroom. Number 10 went to the school and all the elf went to the school except number 99 and 5 but the school was full so all the elf that are not 5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 99 had to go home and hope that 5 is done…with the house bathroom so some one came and built 100 more bathrooms so all the elf can go to the bathroom the problem is solved. The end

This we are giving the gift of storytelling to YOU, our faithful audience! This is a real story written by Cesar C in a PlayMakers Lab classroom. Join us today on to continue working towards our vision of a radically kind Chicago that champions students' ideas.

You can support the creativity of Chicago youth by purchasing tickets to see this story performed LIVE at our 25th Anniversary Show. You can also make a tax-deductible donation today to support 25 more years of inspiring imaginations! All at our website at www.playmakerslab.org Thank you!

By Cesar C, Stockton School
My sister fell on garbage and she cried. The end