collaboraction

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COLLABORACTION PRESENTS ENCOUNTER 2019

ENCOUNTER is a festival curated around the Collaboraction annual theme of "Coming Together" with theater, visual art, music, video, dance, panels, and discussions presented simultaneously in all three venues of Collaboraction Studios.

ENCOUNTER will be curated through a combination of open and invited submissions from throughout the city and will serve to engage the community with the theme of "Coming Together" and incite knowledge, discussion, and action.

After the week-long series at Collaboraction Studios, select elements of Encounter will tour to Chicago’s Hamilton, Hermosa, and Austin neighborhoods with free events and community conversations.

Submissions are open

Submission Deadline: August 1st, 2018

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GENDER BREAKDOWN LAST CHANCE! Don’t miss the most talked about show of the season!

GENDER BREAKDOWN LAST CHANCE! Do you care about gender equity? This show is for you!

DON'T MISS THE MOST TALKED ABOUT SHOW OF THE SEASON! AMERICAN THEATER MAGAZINE CHICAGO INFORMER CHICAGO TRIBUNE THE COLUMBIA CHRONICLE THEATREINCHICAGO PERFORMINK CHICAGO MEDILL REPORTS CHICAGO WINDY CITY TIMES SPLASH MAGAZINE BUZZNEWS CHICAGO ​HOLLYWOOD CHICAGO CHICAGO READER PICTURE THIS POST CHICAGO SUN-TIMES CHICAGOLAND MUSICAL THEATRE NEWCITY STAGE

PURCHASE YOUR FINAL TICKETS ONLINE HERE!

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EXTENDEDED THROUGH APRIL 1, 2017! HELP US CLOSE THE GAP! Support GENDER BREAKDOWN, a world premiere devised piece about the lack of gender parity in Chicago theater and beyond. Ticket sales don't cover all production expenses, and we must rely on the generous support of our individual donors who believe in the power of theater to incite change around critical social issues. Help us reach our goal of $10,000 by April 1. 

WE ARE ONLY $623 FROM OUR GOAL, WITH AN  ADDITIONAL $623 TO BE MATCHED! Help us close the gap by making a donation, and join our list of amazing donors: Rose McInerney, Ambreen Khan, Rachel Mcclain, Meghana Menon, Jennifer Dudley, Shannon Hill, Tess Guilfoile, Caroline Connor, Allison Tenn, Michael Harris, Briana Finegan, Laura Macarthur, Catherine Wilson, Kaye Brown, Craig Horwich, Molly Sisson, Craig Horwich, Loretta Downs, Gwendolyn Wiegold, Nicole Fabri, Maureen Davies, Abby Koppers,  Rachel Williams, Jennifer Cox, Paul Ketz, Harold Jaffe, Sarah Mayhan, Andrew Balderson, Carmel Louis,  Monika Lagaard, Sindy Castro, Samara Anderson, Nik Rokop, Christine Hodges, Kathy Mcdonald & Joe Monahan, Clarissa Gonzalez, Andrew Clancey, Joseph Pindelski, Arica Hilton, Sean Gunn and 28 Anonymous Donors

THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY!

* * * * * FINAL GENDER BREAKDOWN LOUNGE TICKETS HERE!

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Gender Breakdown is EXTENDED by POPULAR DEMAND through APRIL 1!

GENDER BREAKDOWN is EXTENDED by POPULAR DEMAND THROUGH APRIL 1!

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY DISCOUNT OFFER! For today only, use the code "WOMEN" when purchasing tickets, and when you buy one ticket for any performance, you get another for FREE!

PURCHASE TICKETS ONLINE HERE!

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THURSDAY, March 9th

TOKEN by Kaye Winks and directed by Schoen Smith Kaye Rodney Winks has been the "token black friend" for as long as she can remember. In her solo show TOKEN, she irreverently shares her hilarious and often cringeworthy adventures in being that lone black person in a world of white.

Phone Calls with John Kasich by Eileen Tull Phone Calls With John Kasich tackles the subject of reproductive rights by exploring several different women's efforts to contact a certain Ohio Governor about a controversial abortion bill that's on the table. What does it mean to be pro-life, who deserves to make decisions about women's health, and does John Kasich ever actually check his voice mail?

FRIDAY, March 10th

HAIR CROWNICLES by Medina Perine Hair Crownicles is a comedic show sequencing the childhood of Medina Perine, the author, sharing her experience with hair and growing pains. The intent is to encourage women who hold secret insecurities about their image and discover true joy within themselves. 

Edith Lule Edith jumped into the comedy scene after taking classes at Second City last summer. She balances her time between yelling at home, job searching, and writing jokes about coming of age on Chicago’s South Side. Show some love for this stand-up rookie!

Ivori Skye Ivori Skye is an musician/actor/filmmaker born and raised in Chicago. She has an Associate's Degree in Arts from Wilbur Wright College where she acted on two musicals Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson as Storyteller and You're A Good Man Charlie Brown as Snoopy. Professionally, she was Chesire Cat in Nothing Without A Company's Alice and DJ in Big Bad Sppoktacular with them as well.

SATURDAY, March 11th

Layla Frankel Soulful, dynamic, and always ear-pleasing, Layla Frankel and her band perform genre-crossing music that charms audiences of diverse musical tastes. Her original music ranges in styles from folk pop, to soul, to jazz, and everything in between with captivating vocals at the forefront.

Rachel Drew Rachel Drew has her feet firmly planted in American roots music, recalling Stax-Volt era performers like Carla Thomas, with doses of introspective folk, classic country, and the occasional pop-influenced flourish. Rachel delivers intelligent lyrics in a soulful, heartfelt manner. She'll be accompanied on guitar and harmony by local legend, Steve Dawson, of Dolly Varden.

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BUY GENDER BREAKDOWN LOUNGE TICKETS HERE!

MONDAY, MARCH 13 PANEL:

Willa Taylor, Goodman Theatre

Megan Beals, Chicago Dramatists

Marcy McVay, Victory Gardens and Depaul Theatre School

Jackie Russell, Chicago Children's Theatre Company

Moderated by Gender Breakdown Data Researcher Kay Kron

BUY TICKETS ONLINE HERE!

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Critics and Audiences are RAVING about Gender Breakdown!

GENDER BREAKDOWN: REVIEWS Click on the video for RAVE REVIEWS from critics and audiences alike!

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE!

"HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!" by Chicago Sun-Times Chicago Reader NewCity Chicago and "RECOMMENDED!" by Chicagoland Musical Theatre Picture This Post

LIMITED TIME DISCOUNT OFFER: From now through Wednesday, March 8th, use the code "SUNDAY" when purchasing tickets, and get 50% off ANY Sunday matinee performance!

PURCHASE TICKETS ONLINE HERE! * * * * * CONTINUE GENDER BREAKDOWN POST-SHOW DISCUSSIONS BEYOND THE THEATER! Join Collaboraction Theatre's Ongoing Post-Show Discussion Group on Facebook! CONTINUE THE DISCUSSION HERE!

THURSDAY, MARCH 2:

Headliner: Improv with Paige Maney Opener:Jenny Lynn ChristoffersonJenny Lynn has been wearing multiple hats across the theatre scene in Chicago for the past 6 years. As a musician, her music fuses together her musical theatre nerdiness, playwrighting influence, and country and folk music love. She’s crazy for superheroes, thinks a cup of coffee and/or a glass of whiskey are daily MUSTS, and is likely to yell louder at the TV on Sundays during football season than your dad. :-)

FRIDAY, MARCH 3:

Headliner: Beautifully Broken by Ashley J. Hicks Winner of the 2016 Fringe Crush Awards (St. Lou Fringe Festival), Beautifully Broken explores one woman's desire to find her place in society, as a black woman with Albinism.

SATURDAY, MARCH 4:

Headliner: Any of my Enemies by Molly Brennen An adventure into corruption through Clown, music and transformation.

Opener: McKenzie Chinn actor | writer | collaborative + teaching artist // writer for VAM // poet at Growing Concerns

Opener: Le Aboav Le Aboav is a stand up comdian from Chicago and one of the funniest creatures on this side of outer space. A former sign language interpreter and current gender-fluid starman, Le's playful use of language and unique observations on day-to-day life make their comedy relatable to all types of people. They have featured at the Laugh Factory, Second City, and the Chicago Womens Funny Festival, and is a co-producer of SPiN-Off STaND-Up comedy showcase at SPiN Chicago. Le Aboav is sparkley, razor sharp, and ready to party.

Opener: Elle Elle was most recently seen creating the role of Mergatroid in Cinderella at the Theater of Potatoes (The Hypocrites). Chicago favorites include The Addams Family (Mercury Theater) and a recent guest performance with The Fly Honey Show VII.  As a writer and solo performance artist, Elle seeks to empower other trans/gender non-conforming folks through laughter and finding strength through forging new paths - on one's own terms. She is represented by Paonessa Talent Agency. Special thanks to Molly for being the most awesome always, the Walker family, the Salonathon family, Kate, Bea, and the folks at 902.

BUY GENDER BREAKDOWN LOUNGE TICKETS HERE!

ESCAPING THE NEGATIVE PERCEPTIONS AND EXPERIENCES OF WOMEN IN THEATRE

Read the captivating new article by our sponsor, WOMANSCAPE, on Gender Breakdown creator Dani Bryan and how she "shapes meaningful dialogue that provides rewarding experiences for theater artists as well as insightful entertainment for audiences."

READ THE ARTICLE HERE!

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Gender Breakdown: Opening Day!

PURCHASE TICKETS ONLINE HERE!

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CONTINUE GENDER BREAKDOWN POST-SHOW DISCUSSIONS BEYOND THE THEATER: Join Collaboraction Theatre's Ongoing Post-Show Discussion Group on Facebook!

CONTINUE THE DISCUSSION HERE!

*  *  *  *  * GENDER BREAKDOWN MEDIA ROUNDUP:

AMERICAN THEATRE MAGAZINE CHICAGO INFORMER CHICAGO TRIBUNE THE COLUMBIA CHRONICLE PERFORMINK CHICAGO

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BUY GENDER BREAKDOWN LOUNGE TICKETS HERE!

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ARE YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT GENDER EQUITY? INTRODUCING THE GENDER BREAKDOWN GENEROSITY DRIVE Support GENDER BREAKDOWN, a world premiere devised piece about the lack of gender parity in Chicago theater and beyond. Ticket sales don't cover all production expenses, and we must rely on the generous support of our individual donors who believe in the power of theater to incit change around critical social issues. Help us reach our goal of $10,000 in individual donations by March 19th at 5PM.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY!

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NOW ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS FOR COLLABORACTION'S SECOND ANNUAL PEACEBOOK!

After a successful 2016 PEACEBOOK, bringing together over 250 Chicago artists to Englewood, Austin, and Uptown and creating 21 works about Peace in Chicago, we are delighted to be opening submissions for our second annual festival.

INFO AND SUBMISSIONS HERE!

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A Look at the Shocking Data behind Gender Inequity in the Chicago Theater Industry

GENDER BREAKDOWN: THE STUDY By Kay Kron (Gender Breakdown Theater Data Researcher)

The vast majority of theater companies in the United States operate as nonprofits, and are therefore tasked with advancing the public good. If the public good includes the equality of men and women, it is essential that our theaters reflect that. Chicago has an innovative theater scene characterized by cause driven work, created by socially progressive individuals and organizations. We have the opportunity to lead parity in hiring practices across the country, raising the bar for inclusivity, and putting an end to discrimination.

(Click here for GENDER BREAKDOWN info and tickets. >>)

The Gender Breakdown Study includes data for 52 local theater companies and over 250 plays, resulting in over 4,500 data points. Findings delineate gender parity across 14 theater professions, and includes non Equity, midsize Equity and large Equity companies.

Here is what we found:

Artistic positions in theater are dominated by men.

With the exception of costume design, “artistic positions” such as playwriting, directing, design, acting and artistic leadership are dominated by men. “Managerial positions” such as stage management, board membership, and administration are filled primarily by women.

Hiring is interconnected across professions.

Female playwrights tend to write more roles for female actors, and female directors tend to direct more work by female playwrights.

  There is a relationship between casting parity and equity status.

As equity status increases, gender parity in casting decreases, which has major implications for the career advancement of female actors. While it seems likely the majority of the casting pool is female, only 43% of roles in 2015/16 were filled by female actors.

  Chicago theater artists are actively searching for solutions.

Help us spark community dialog so we can reveal the nature and extent of inequalities, and develop meaningful solutions. Bring your stories and your opinions. This is intersectional conversation, joining existing movements toward racial equality and representation of LGBT artists. Unfair hiring practices threaten the careers of female artists, give those in positions of power increased opportunity to take advantage of young talent, provide disproportionate access to work experience, and disrespect audience populations. Let’s talk about the ensemble model, let’s talk about how basing a study on a gender binary is hugely problematic, let’s talk about what you want to talk about, and then let’s find solutions!

(Read American Theatre’s article on GENDER BREAKDOWN and the lack of gender parity in the theater community here. >>)

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Announcing the Gender Breakdown Trailer and an Evening Lounge and Discussion Panels, OH MY!

JUST RELEASED: THE GENDER BREAKDOWN TRAILER

Watch Here!

INTRODUCING THE GENDER BREAKDOWN LOUNGE

The Gender Breakdown Lounge is a performance arts venue for an eclectic range of arts programming featuring female-identified artists, including theater, storytelling, music, comedy dance, opera, and more that complements Collaboraction's winter show, GENDER BREAKDOWN, a world-premiere devised piece in response to the lack of gender equity in theater and beyond!

Token by Kaye Winks (March 9) is directed by Schoen Smith*

GET YOUR LOUNGE TICKETS NOW

IMPORTANT DISCUSSION DATES

**Feb. 19- Mar 19: ** Panel Discussions moderated by Gender Breakdown Theater Data Researcher, Kay Kron, every Sunday at the 3PM matinee performance

Feb. 27th: Industry Townhall Discussion with Deb Clapp, (Executive Director, League of Chicago Theatres), Lori Myers (Not in Our House), Laura T. Fischer (Not in Our House), Kimberly Senior (Collaboraction Founder and Director), and Kay Kron (Theater Data Researcher, Gender Breakdown)

​Mar. 13: Industry Townhall Discussion with Willa Taylor (Director of Education and Community Engagement, Goodman Theatre), Kay Kron (Theater Data Researcher, Gender Breakdown), Meghan Beals (Artistic Director, Chicago Dramatists), and others TBA

JOIN THE BREAKDOWN!

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EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT LAST CHANCE!

Today is your last chance to use the code EARLY25 for 25% off your tickets.

PURCHASE TICKETS ONLINE HERE!

Gender parity within our theater community: Why should we care? How did we get here? What does it look and feel like in 2017?

BECOME A SPONSOR OR AMBASSADOR WITH PERKS HERE!

Collaboraction presents the world premiere of Gender Breakdown, a compilation theater piece devised in response to the lack of gender equality on and offstage. 

February 16 - March 29, 2017 in THE VAULT at COLLABORACTION STUDIOS Flatiron Arts Building - 1579 N Milwaukee Ave $15-$30

Eleven female identified performers and an all-female design and production team weave together stories from conversations with over 220 theater artists about what it really means to be a female theater artist in Chicago. In doing so, Gender Breakdown explores the issues of misogyny, genderphobia, and racism and these absurd, uncomfortable, and gut punching stories will change your perception of what's behind the stage curtain.

RESERVE YOUR SEAT ONLINE HERE!

We would like to thank our Gender Breakdown production sponsor, WomanScape, whose recent blog post focuses on the Women’s March.

Collaboraction.org 312.226.9633

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PEACEBOOK Submissions

Collaboraction returns to the parks this summer with PEACEBOOK, a new collaborative, city-wide festival of theatre, dance, music, visual art and spoken word – all focused on cultivating peace in Chicago.

Part of the Chicago Park District’s Nights Out in the Park program PEACEBOOK seeks to engage new artists, audiences and communities in creating and sharing art that envisions a more peaceful Chicago. Each PEACEBOOK performance is a fast-paced collection of seven diverse, world premiere pieces of theatre, dance and spoken word, each seven minutes or less, uniting artists citywide, and creating real connections within communities around the city.

In total, Collaboraction is creating 21 short works for the festival, with 7 pieces performing at each location, for FREE at the following Chicago Park Districts this August:

PEACEBOOK South Side/Englewood August 12 and 13 Hamilton Park, 513 W. 72nd St.

PEACEBOOK West Side/Austin August 19 and 20 LaFollette Park, 1331 N. Laramie

PEACEBOOK North Side/Uptown August 26 and 27 Clarendon Park, 4501 N. Clarendon Ave.

BE A PART OF THIS EXCITING FESTIVAL! 

We are looking for exciting new work and new voices to populate the first ever PEACEBOOK. We are now accepting plays, devised theatre, dance, and spoken word performances of seven minutes or less. Not a writer but want to be invovled in another way? That's great! We're also looking for directors, actors, community partners, and volunteers applications. Click the buttons to the right for submission information and to get on board!

The submission deadline is May 8, 2016.  

Links to our applications can be found here: 

http://www.collaboraction.org/#!peacebook/mzfih

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ANNOUNCING: Collaboraction Resident Company Application

Collaboraction Theatre Company of Chicago is accepting applications for RESIDENT COMPANIES looking for a performance venue home for their '16-'17 season at Collaboraction Studios, our 3 venue home in the FLAT IRON ARTS BUILDING in Wicker Park. RESIDENT COMPANIES must produce at least 2 shows over at least 10 rental weeks in the season and will receive benefits that include a 10% discount on weekly rental rate and marketing and production support, as well as the benefits of producing in a rooted space. We are looking for companies that have experience producing quality theatre and that connect with our mission.

 Please fill out the Resident Company Application. 

To fill it out, visit: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/12pU0WM_9vxbgmHbRv6_x79kePMZ9il_6RH9L_Eq70-Q/viewform?c=0&w=1&usp=mail_form_link

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#weareconnected 

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Connected Marketing Poster Contest!!!!

Want a chance to see YOUR ARTWORK being used to help market our upcoming show CONNECTED? Take a look at how this works: 

Connected is a devised world premiere theatre piece about the history of our Solar System, mankind, technology and our connection to it all. We are looking for digital submissions of illustrations, paintings, photographs, graphics or the medium of your choice with the following criteria: I. the digital image be in aspect ratio of 11 inches tall x 17 inches wide II. the image must include 1. a campfire with humans gathered 2. trees 3. stars 4.  moon 5. at least three visible planets and 6. a space vessel that could carry a village of 5,000 people ascending into orbit for permanent space life. Submissions must be sent to connected@collaboraction.org (at least 1 mb and no larger than 25)  and you also have to please fill out this Google Form to complete the submission process --> http://goo.gl/forms/AcYNA1hfrA 

If you would like to share your work with others, please post in our Facebook Group called Connected Submissions! Here’s the link: http://on.fb.me/1opKLAM

*By submitting you give Collaboraction the right to use your image to promote Connected. 

**Everyone who submits will get 2 free preview tickets to Connected and the winner will receive $150 cash and their image will be used as the official show poster. Please email connected@collaboraction.org with any questions. Thank you so much for your interest!! 

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SKETCHBOOK 15  AWARD WINNERS!!

The Final Bows of Life.

The Final Bows Of Death.

The Fifteenth and Final Sketchbook is over. Two programs, sixteen total plays have all finished their runs and over 150 actors have taken their final bows. But like the festival, these shows will be reincarnated in some way in the future. 

All of the actors, producers, directors, designers, technicians, stage crew, and audiences that allowed this festival to live-- thank you. These moments have become memories that will be forever etched into the brains of those who saw and created these fantastic works. 

We also must thank all of the musicians who contributed their time, energy and exquisite performances to making every night an entirely unique event for each audience. 

After the bows were finished and the last shot of Koval taken (thank you, Koval!), it was time for the awards. After seeing each program, our four judges placed their votes and the results came out at the very end of the high energy dance party that rounded out each final performance.

These awards celebrate the talents, passion and excellence of the Sketchbook Festival and the Chicago theater community. We’ve listed the winners below:

Best Actor:  Winner: David Dastmalchian (Blink) 2nd Place: Alex Lane (Trump International Tower: Raw Footage) 3rd Place: Gary Zimmers (Overnight Parking Ban)

Best Actress: Winner: Karen Holbert (We Call You Family, We Call You Memory) 2nd Place: Sandra Delgado (Blink) 3rd Place: Christine Vrem (Trump International Tower: Raw Footage) 

Best Director: Winner: Erica Vannon (Spanx You Very Much) 2nd Place: Benno Nelson (Trump International Tower: Raw Footage)  3rd Place: Lavina Jadwhani (Silenced) 

Best Writing:  Winner: Andrew Grigg (We Call You Family, We Call You Memory)  2nd Place: Alexander Lane, Christine Vrem-Yostie, Benno Nelson and Ethan Dubin (Trump International Tower: Raw Footage) 3rd Place: TIE Drew Dir (Menagerie) Joe Zarrow (Over Night Parking Ban) Arlene Malinowski (Silenced)

Best Production:  Winner: Spanx You Very Much 2nd Place: Blink 3rd Place: Trump International Tower: Raw Footage

Sketchbook’s Life and Death theme seems particularly apt this year. We celebrate the life, legacy and joy that the Sketchbook festival has produced for the Chicago community. Though this particular festival has reached the end of its run, the art that has been created and the community that has been supported and inspired will survive long beyond its 15-year run. 

Cheers, and thank you, Chicago. It’s been an incredible ride and we’ve been privileged to spent it with you.

For those that missed it: check out the trailer below and be on the lookout for more videos coming soon! 

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The 15th and Final Sketchbook’s Build and Spacing Rehearsals

Here’s a little more behind the scenes action from Sketchbook!

The early stages of building the stage right wall!

More before pictures--

--Here’s where we’re at now!

Thanks to the tireless efforts of our technical director, (Josh Olgine pictured above), our design team and volunteers we’ve been building the set brick by brick.

By building the walls as fast as we did, our spacing rehearsals allowed our plays to explore the space they will be performing on in a week. It also allowed our amazing lighting team to illuminate the space with equipment from AV Chicago. 

Liviu’s projection work on the set will be something to look forward to as we get closer to the festival. 

You could be sitting in those seats stage left, close enough to touch the actors! (Please don’t, especially when it come to the play pictured above, Menagerie, the animals in the piece wouldn’t like it.) 

   Anthony Moseley, (Artistic and Festival Director), David Dasmalchian (Ant-man, The Dark Knight and now Blink) and Jeremy Getz (Lighting Designer for Sketchbook and Lighting Director at AV Chicago) can’t wait for the festival to get started. 

Purchase your tickets at  http://www.collaboraction.org/#!sketchbook/ckto !!

If you purchase right now, there is an offer for $10 off a festival pass. It’s a great bargain to see 16 fantastic world premiere plays, panels on theatre and film, and other exclusive festival events.   

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Collaboraction Presents:  We Still Like You

In our first Salon Space installment of the New Year, we welcome the live podcast We Still Like You. It’s show that allows people to tell their most shameful stories in an environment of total acceptance. 

Because if we’re all terrible, none of us are.

Check out their podcast on iTunes and see them live at the Salon (1579 N. Milwaukee, 3rd Floor) on January 9th at 10PM. Your laughs could be captured digitally for eternity.

https://www.facebook.com/events/165518840478586/

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Sketchbook LOAD IN!!

The building of the set at the Chopin Theatre for Collaboraction’s 15th and final Sketchbook has begun! 

An intrepid team, consisting of two interns (Ian and Annie), technical director (Josh Olgine), production manager(Erica Bush), Assistant Festival Director (Justin Dietzel) and Artistic Director Anthony Moseley, worked tirelessly to bring the many props, flats, and pieces that are being used to construct the set for 16 world premiere plays. 

Here’s Josh pulling out the last couch that the audience will be able to sit on at Sketchbook. 

Our lighting team working on the next part of the light plot in front of one of the walls being built in the Chopin. You might notice there’s a little of the Crime Scene summer tour peaking through. We’re taking the collected history of Sketchbook and Collaboraction and building upon it to create this immersive experience.

This is a special sneak preview into one of the set pieces of Blink, the Sketchbook play devised by Anthony Moseley and Liviu Pasare (seen on the right here). You’ll have to come to Sketchbook to see the finished project. 

There will be more pictures and behind the scenes looks at Sketchbook the closer we get to previews on January 14th and then opening night.

Pick up tickets at collaboraction.org -- we look forward to seeing you there!         

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SKETCHBOOK 2015 FINAL OPEN STUDIO SESSION

Collaboraction gathered together at Wesley Kimler’s Studio on December 12th for designer runs of the shows that will be premiering in January at the 15th and Final Sketchbook. This allowed the designers to get an invaluable look at how our devisers and directors were collaborating with actors to produce these plays. 

First, we were taken back to the high school prom with Open Arms (The Rapture) by Emily Schwartz and directed by Steve Wilson. 

Everyone in attendance was serenaded by Karlis Kandero as the actors and devisers set up for each open rehearsal in the program--Death. 

Next the daguerreotype was given voice in an operatic ode to dreams entitled, The Title is Forgotten by Jen Ellison . 

The journey to discover roots through Afro-feminist mythology was presented by Honey Pot Performance in Ma(s)king Her.  

Theatre people know the problem of a lead dropping out at the last minute. But Joe Zarrow, the writer of the piece Overnight Parking Ban, In Effect handled it extremely well--giving us a energetic and endearing performance of his own work.

Beth Henley’s piece Seven Minutes brings the audience into the turmoil of character’s stuck in a scene. Directed by John Cabrera, slapstick and naturalism mix together in this piece.

Anthony Moseley, the artistic director of Collaboraction, wrote a piece about the perfect moment. Blink, which is technologically designed by Liviu Pasare, allows the audience to see a couple’s idealization of a moment. Because one of our actors, David Dasmalchian, is still in L.A. the only way he and fellow actor, Sandra Delgado, could communicate is through technology. 

And then there was Spanx. Written by Dani Bryant, directed by Erica Barnes and choregraphed by Sheena Laird. The video speaks for its self.

After Spanx we switched bands and Mercedes’ group came in and entertained the crowd with their music. 

In a journey to the digital world, writer Laura Jaqmin leads us across the ruins of the wasteland. Directed by Greg Werstler, Post-Apocalypto helps to bridge generations through technology. 

Next was a run down of Trump Towers, a piece by Benno Nelson and Ethan Dubin.

Silenced by Arlene Malinowski, confronts the issue of prejudice through action and specific word choice. Directed by Lavina Jadhwandi, the tension between right and wrong, perception and reality is fully explored in this piece. 

When the Bachelor’s Come out of the Brush by Anne Washburn was performed as an energetic one man show by Jeremy Wechsler, the shows director. 

Menagerie by Drew Dir brings together the worst day of someone’s life with the best thing in the world--puppets. Directed by Lee Stark, the piece managed to evoke empathy through unconventional methods.  

Thank you to all of the directors, actors, writers, devisers and of course audience members who came out to see these works in progress.This was the first time the designers of Sketchbook got to see the full plays before technical rehearsals. These Open Studio Sessions all lead up to the 15th and Final Sketchbook which begins January 14. 

Check out our website collaboraction.org to purchase tickets to see 16 world premiere seven minute plays. Certain nights will feature panels of local Chicago artists and returning theatre artists from around the country, so be on the lookout on our website for those nights.