Barrel of Monkeys (BOM) is an arts education nonprofit that teaches creative writing in Chicago elementary schools and then brings students' stories to life on stage. BOM is a community of approximately 60 passionate actor-educators who value the creative voices of young people, teaching both during school hours and in after-school settings. Performers adapt the stories written by our students into sketches, songs, and poems, which are then performed for the school community as well as for the public. BOM is seeking actor-educators of all ages, ethnicities, sexual orientations, gender identities, abilities, and silhouettes who have great collaborative skills, improvisation abilities, and a passion for working with and performing for youth.
Ideal candidates have experience in sketch, musical theatre, directing and/or devising original work. They are skilled teaching artists and have experience working in schools, with young people, and performing throughout the city. Barrel of Monkeys is especially seeking musicians who can underscore and adapt student stories into musical numbers, as well as performers who reflect the cultural backgrounds of the students we serve, who are primarily Black and Latino students on the South and West sides of Chicago. Fluency in Spanish is highly desirable. Above all, we are looking for artists who are passionate about the work we do and the young people with whom we collaborate.
Expectations: Artistic Associates are expected to perform in 3-5 school-based shows during the 2018-2019 school year, become oriented with our in-school curriculum, attend trainings and meetings, and engage in the BOM community. After an Artistic Associate fulfills these expectations for at least one year, they may become candidates for Company Membership.
Auditions will be held at the NEW Barrel of Monkeys rehearsal space (4021 N Broadway, 1st Fl) in Buena Park on the following dates. Each auditioner will be assigned a 5 minute individual slot. Tuesday 10/2 6:30pm-9:30pm Wednesday 10/3 6:30pm-9:30pm Thursday 10/4 6:30pm-9:30pm Callbacks will be held on Saturday, October 13th at the NEW Barrel of Monkeys rehearsal space (4021 N Broadway, 1st Fl) in Buena Park. If you are called back you will be invited to attend one of the 2-hour callbacks slots on that date, which are from 10:00am-12:00pm and 12:30pm-2:30pm.
Pay: $140/show; competitive hourly rates for teaching
Auditions will be held at 4021 N. Broadway FL 1 Chicago, IL 60613
Perform in 3-5 school-based shows during the 2018-2019 school year, become oriented with our in-school curriculum, attend trainings and meetings, and engage in the BOM community.
ALL Auditioners: You will have 5 minutes to present 2 solo performance pieces of your choosing. Please come prepared to demonstrate your range of talents. You can perform a monologue, tell a story, sing, dance, rap, mime, perform stand-up, or incorporate any other artistic element that shows off your skills. Be creative and show us your best work! Musicians: If you identify as a musician we would like you to prepare a song for one of your solo performance pieces. Please prepare an original musical performance piece adapted from a student-written BOM story of your choosing. Stories can be found here. Note for all: There will be no accompanist, but there will be a keyboard and amp with AUX cord for your use. Feel free to bring a portable musical instrument, or to sing a capella.
Contact Info:
To sign up for an Audition Slot, please email auditions@barrelofmonkeys.org with your full name as the subject line, and include the following:
-Your preferred night to audition (10/2, 10/3, or 10/4)
-Your head shot or photo, attached
-Your performance/artistic resume, attached
-A resume or description of your history of working as a teaching artist and/or working with young people, attached (if applicable)
-Please include information about any and all instruments you play
-Please include information about Spanish language proficiency
Auditions slots are filled on a first-come first-served basis.
Website: www.barrelofmonkeys.org