Student Matinees of No Blue Memories: The Life of Gwendolyn Brooks

Students and educators, join us for the remount of No Blue Memories: The Life of Gwendolyn Brooks from the Chicago-based theater company, Manual Cinema! No Blue Memories, written by Chicago poets Eve L. Ewing and Nate Marshall, is a uniquely staged retelling of Brooks’s life. Manual Cinema uses simple, illuminative paper-cut puppetry to represent the life and work of one of Chicago’s most beloved literary figures visually. The show’s music is composed and arranged by Jamila Woods and Ayanna Woods. 

One-hour student matinees will be held on Tuesday, May 16 at 1PM, Wednesday, May 17 at 10AM and1PM, and Thursday, May 18 at 12PM followed by a post-show discussion.

Teachers can register to bring students to the student matinees by filling out this form. If you have any questions, please contact [email protected].

Presented in partnership with the Chicago Public Library

A Manual Cinema Production
Commissioned by the Poetry Foundation
Written by Crescendo Literary (Eve L. Ewing and Nate Marshall)

Director: Sarah Fornace
Music Composers: Jamila Woods and Ayanna Woods
Storyboards by: Drew Dir
Puppet Designers: Drew Dir and Lizi Breit
Costume and Wig Designer: Mieka van der Ploeg
Lighting Designer: Claire Chrzan
Sound Designer: Ben Kauffman
Music Director: Ayanna Woods
Production Manager: Nic Barnum
Tech Director: Mike Usrey
Stage Manager: Maydi Diaz
Sound Engineer: Nick Broste
Puppeteers:
LaQuis Harkins (Gwendolyn Brooks)
Felix Mayes
Jyreika Guest
Shay Turnage
Nile Lansana (Haki Madhubuti)
Musicians:
Kai Black (band leader and percussion)
Nashon Holloway (voice/guitar)
Ryan Nyther (trumpet)
Teiana Davis (keys/vocals)
Wyatt Waddell (bass/background vocals)

All public performances will include the following to increase access for guests with disabilities:
Wheelchair accessible theatre space and seating
Limited stairs seating
A seated waiting area for those who cannot stand
ASL Interpretation and assistive listening devices

The performance is also appropriate for all ages and families are welcomed.

There are some brief mentions of death and of racism which are appropriate for all ages, but there is no other sensitive content in the show.

This event is free. Masking is strongly recommended.

This program is presented as part of One Poem, One Chicago.