Bitter Jester Studios, Inc.

11/08/2025

Woo!

11/01/2025

Super excited to announce we received FIVE Emmy nominations this year () for two of our amazing clients, UCP Seguin of Greater Chicago & Glenkirk .services

Coincidentally, both of these impressive nonprofits work with people who have physical, mental, and developmental challenges and both provide not only expert care and services (including housing, medical, and social/recreational services & education), but are kind-hearted teams and just plain lovely people to work with.

Several of our Glenkirk “movie stars” will be coming to the Chicago/Midwest Emmy Awards tonight and will even be interviewed live on the Red Carpet at 4:10pm CST!! Watch the livestream at ChicagoEmmyOnline.org

UCP received Emmy nods for Human Interest Producing, Writing, Directing, and Editing. Glenkirk was nominated for Diversity/Equity/Inclusion Producing. Couldn’t be more proud of both of these productions!

04/20/2025

Happy Easter from Bitter Jester Studios!

04/03/2025

Kevin Ray, Music Director and / music teacher just completed an incredible hands-on workshop at FOCUS on the Arts! In less than an hour, a group of musical and “non-musical” students just composed a short original piece for orchestra / wind band. Really inspirational to watch unfold!

04/02/2025

FOCUS on the Arts Co-Emcees Nic, Max, Tori, and Leo… back stage about to kick off the week!!

04/01/2025

Lighting, Camera, and Interview Workshop with HPHS video production crew before FOCUS begins tomorrow!!

05/23/2024

Here ye, here ye!! Mark your calendars! June 7, 8, 14, and 15 (5:30-10:30) at Port Clinton Square in Downtown Highland Park ... and then June 29 (2019) for the Grand Finale at THE LOT in Enjoy Highland Park!! FOOD - CRAFT BEER - WINE... and FOOD TRUCKS on June 29!!

This fun, family-friendly, FREE, weekend concert series is produced by Nicolas DeGrazia and the Bitter Jester Foundation for the Arts, NFP. Every night is a variety act that will be sure to scratch the "fun things to do this weekend / concerts near me" itch! Click for the official 2024 Bit

04/26/2024

Looking for HPHS or DHS students who are interested in Audio Production and Live Music Production! If you know any, please pass this link along!

The 18th Annual Bitter Jester Music Festival is opening applications for four (4) volunteer Audio Production Interns throughout the course of its 2024 summer concert season! BJMF is looking for high school aged students with an interest in music or music production to work closely with its professio...

04/08/2024

Happy Total Eclipse Day from Bitter Jester!

12/30/2023

Looking for a last-minute end of the year tax write off that also goes to a FNATASTIC cause? Consider making a donation to the 501(c)(3 Bitter Jester Foundation for the Arts…

Your charitable donation directly supports the Bitter Jester Foundation for the Arts, NFP, and the production of its three non-profit arts programs:- The Bitter Jester Music Festival (est. 2006)- The Purpler Shirts Performance Ensemble (est. 2006)- The Comic Thread Sketch Comedy Troupe (est. 1998)Pr...

12/17/2023

Woo-hoo! Thanks Downtown Highland Park!

12/06/2023

If you know anyone at Columbia College Chicago as a student, in the faculty, or who is an admin (or if you’re invested in education and the future of this country thanks to young people) … please watch and forward this. Kudos to Alex Hampton for keeping us all tuned in to what’s important. And, even more importantly, why the arts and creativity matter. This is super inspiring to me.

Hi!! This is my first video actually uploading to YouTube. In a time of uncertainty, I decided to reflect on my filmmaking journey and how this all came to b...