Join us for Fun & Games at the Evanston Art Center on April 27th for a FREE show for people of all ages with live musicians, a multidisciplinary circus artist, and a post-show party.

Fun & Games is a seamless theatrical experience–including music, theatre, poetry, songs of childhood games, toys, circus acts, storytime, and audience participation pieces with a collective scream for a much needed catharsis. Stay for the after party and hands-on exploration of musical sound sculptures in a playground-like set.

While Fun & Games comes from lead creator Carolyn O’Brien’s experience with depression, it is far from depressing. Instead, it shows the ups and downs of life while cultivating a moment of collective joy and childlike wonder to help us heal during our most difficult moments.

STARRING: The Fun & Games Guild

Eliza Bangert, flutes and toy instruments

Tom Snydacker, saxophones and toy instruments

Liz Pearse, soprano voice/narration and toy instruments

Olivia Kieffer, percussion, toy instruments, and sound sculptures

Johanna Ballou, pianos, toy pianos and toy instruments

Benjamin Domask-Ruh, multi-disciplinary circus artist doing various amazing things

Carolyn O’Brien, composer, creator, storyteller, musician, builder of sound sculptures, and toy instruments

LOCATION:

Evanston Art Center, 1717 Central St, Evanston, IL 60201

DATE/TIME:
Sunday, April 27th, 2025
4pm cocktail hour, 5pm showtime
6:15-8:30pm optional post show exploration of sound sculptures and party with live DJ and refreshments

Admission is FREE, donations are very welcome! We hope to see you there!Yours truly,
The Fun & Games Guild

Welcome. Here are a few words about me and a few more to help you navigate this site. If reading ain't your thing, just click up, up and away from the blah blah blah.

I am a composer, creator, and collaborator. My previous academic work is evolving into a more playful, multi-disciplinary approach. The new genre I am forging for myself and my collaborator friends is a kind of abstract ‘composed’ theater which I have recently dubbed Fun & Games. A revolving cast of characters I know are now members of the Fun & Games Guild. Our first show is on April 27, 2025. Examples of the genesis of this shift in my work can be seen in an evening-length show that took place in 2016 and is now living in the memories of others and in the SEE and HEAR pages. There are recordings of other works there, too. I am documenting my work process in blog format on the SHOW&TELL page. Future events are announced on the GO & PLAY page. If you are looking for third person, professional bios, a C.V. and photos, please navigate to ME MYSELF & I, and get to know my colleagues at WITH FRIENDS.

This website is always a work in progress. So am I.

Let the Fun & Games begin!