PlayMakers Laboratory is pleased to welcome back its original sketch show That's Weird, Grandma: Summer Vacation! This family-friendly comedy extravaganza returns for six performances only from July 26 – August 10, 2025 at the Neo-Futurist Theater, 5153 N. Ashland Ave. in Chicago. Tickets ($27.50* adults, $17.50* youth under 17) are now on sale at playmakerslab.org. The press opening is Saturday, July 26 at 2 pm. *Ticket prices include a $2.50 processing fee
Directed by Executive Artistic Director Brandon Cloyd, That’s Weird, Grandma features adaptations of stories written during PML’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, along with perfect summertime stories – that resonate with adults while celebrating the imaginations of young people.
PlayMakers Laboratory Company Members perform That’s Weird, Grandma. Photo by Evan Hanover.
The cast includes PML company members Nick Crothers, Maddy Grady, Indira Gutierrez, Barry Irving, Lucas Johnson, Sam Nieves, Lee Peters, Jacqui Touchet, Allison Sokolowski and Allison Zanolli.
Production team: Linnaea Groh (Assistant Director) Daniel Parsons (Stage Manager).
Performance Schedule:
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Saturday, July 26 at 2 pm
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Sunday, July 27 at 2 pm
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Saturday, August 2 at 2 pm
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Sunday, August 3 at 2 pm
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Saturday, August 9 at 2 pm
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Sunday, August 10 at 2 pm
About the Director
Brandon Cloyd joined PlayMakers Laboratory in 2007 and has been deeply involved in many facets of the company ever since. Prior to joining PML, Brandon graduated from Northwestern University with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and a minor in Business Institutions. Brandon has held many roles in PlayMakers Laboratory before becoming the company’s Artistic & Program Director in September 2017. He served with PML as an actor, teaching artist, lead teacher, a member of Teacher Corps, as well as directing shows for schools and public performances of That's Weird, Grandma. Outside of PML, he worked as the Associate Director of Camp Echo, where he has spent 13 summers managing campers and staff at a co-ed sleep away camp in Upstate New York. Brandon has worked with other theatre companies including Urban Theatre Company, American Theater Company, Filament Theatre, InGen Productions, ACLE's Teatrino in Italy and a founding director with Purple Crayon Players at Northwestern University. Brandon is also a former board member for the League of Chicago Theatres.
About PlayMakers Laboratory
For 28 years, PlayMakers Laboratory has served Chicago Public School students by providing a creative writing residency program aimed primarily at elementary schools. Our company of over 60 teaching artists utilize creative drama and storytelling to promote literacy and self-esteem during our in-school residencies and park district programming. Each year, our programs serve more than 4,000 young people across Chicago. In our six-week writing residencies, a whopping 88% of students improve writing scores by at least one level over the course of our residencies. Plus, 100% of classroom teachers report that our program supports their student’s writing and improves confidence and self-esteem.
PlayMakers Laboratory is sponsored in part by The Chicago Community Trust, Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, The Crown Family Philanthropies, The Field Foundation, The Mardi Gras Fund, The Paul M. Angell Foundation, The Polk Bros Foundation, The Siragusa Family Foundation and generous individuals like you!