Welcome!
“…with an enthusiastic audience more established companies would die for…”
~Chicago Sun Times
Collaboraction is an award-winning theatre-based artist collective dedicated to the process of evolving entertainment. Our core creative values are defined by a robust collection of artists emphasizing the creation of inspired and energizing theatrical experiences in league with audiences seeking surprising and challenging work.
Over the past 11 years Collaboraction has worked with over 2500 artists to bring 60+ productions and events to some 40,000 audience members.
Collaborating with theater artists and non-traditional theater artists (including musicians, visual artists and performance groups) and through creating multi-media productions, Collaboraction is able to reach many different audiences that are not the ‘typical’ theater patron.
“…a creative mothership that blends independent theatre with music, video, fashion and visual art” ~ Blackbook Magazine
Program A and Program B
The Steppenwolf Merle Reskin Garage Theatre; 1624 N. Halsted
May 15 - June 15, 2008
Thursdays & Fridays @ 8pm
Saturdays @ 5:30pm & 8pm
Sundays @ 5:30pm
CLICK HERE to listen about SKETCHBOOK on 848
CLICK HERE to read SUN TIMES interviews with Emily Schwartz, Itamar Moses & Jose Rivera
Program A and Program B
Learn More About SKETCHBOOK '08
Collaboraction’s
Annual SKETCHBOOK Festival breaks down the walls that divide theater,
music, visual art and the Internet, transforming the Steppenwolf Garage
into a singular world. SKETCHBOOK presents a collection of
contemporary and uncensored perspectives on modern life in 14 world
premiere plays. Hundreds of playwrights submit up
to 3 new plays via the internet which are read and paired down by a
select reading committee, the literary department and the producers of
Sketchbook. The directors undergo a rigorous selection process reading
our top play submissions and submit 3 vision proposals. From those submitted
visions (nearly 1000) the producers and literary team SKETCHBOOK is
born. This year for the first time ever audiences can be both
spectator and artist, contributing to the dynamism of each
performance.
Come artists, art lovers and everyone in between!
Participate today in this year’s Festival and
submit your work: written, visual or sonic.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE SUBMISSIONS
Heroes and Villains by Daniel Janoff
World premiere
Directed by Anthony Moseley
Aug. 28 - Sept. 18, 2008
Theatre Building, 1225 W. Belmont Ave.
Heroes and Villains is the story of a quiet, unassuming man who’s managed to convince an entire town that he’s a superhero. It’s also the story of a woman who sets out to prove that the superhero in question is a total fraud. However, when she arrives in town, she discovers that heroes rarely wear capes, villains are rarely bad guys and that beauticians always make the best leading men.
Jon by George Saunders
World premiere
Adapted and Directed by Seth Bockley
October 30 – December 14, 2008
Building Stage, 412 N. Carpenter St.
Jon is a futuristic allegory about teenage love and self-discovery in a corporate universe where television commercials replace life experiences. Collaboraction's Associate Artistic Director Seth Bockley adapts the story by MacArthur "Genius" Fellowship awardee George Saunders. This world premiere production will explore the boundaries of video and theater in realizing this surreal and strangely moving coming-of-age story.
The 9th Annual SKETCHBOOK Festival
March 2009
Location TBD
A lively celebration of staged theatrical works, music and fine art, SKETCHBOOK is a short play festival like no other. Each year Collaboraction guides more than 200 artists through an exciting collaboration where 10-20 short performances, each seven minutes or less in length, mingle with visual art and music. The SKETCHBOOK Festival is Collaboraction at its best: breaking down the walls that divide theater, music, visual art, video and the Internet, transforming the space into a singular world where audiences can be both spectator and artist, contributing to dynamism of each performance.
El Grito del Bronx by Migdalia Cruz
World premiere
Directed by Anthony Moseley
A co-production with Teatro Vista in association with the Goodman Theatre
July 14 – August 9, 2009
Goodman’s Owen Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn St.
El Grito del Bronx follows the story of Lulu on the eve of her wedding as she confronts her past, including her connection to her brother Papo, who is on death row awaiting the death penalty for murder. Collaboraction’s world premiere production will merge the lyrical nature of Cruz’s work, Teatro Vista’s stellar ensemble and Collaboraction’s penchant for cinematic staging and powerful acting.
The Flex Pass
Don't
miss out on this exciting season. The Collaboraction Flex Pass allows
you to use your tickets for any performance in the '08 / '09 Season you would like. If you
can't make one production, roll the rest of your tickets on the next!
Good for any Collaboraction production in the '08 / '09 season, but act now!
The Flex Pass will only be available for purchase until December 31st.
4 tickets for $75 or 10 tickets for $150. Reservations must be made in advance, and tickets are subject to availability.
The first 100 purchasers* will receive a $25 gift certificate from our Flex Pass Sponsor Motel Bar. Cannot be used toward the 8th Annual SKETCHBOOK Festival.
To purchase a Flex Pass, call 312.226.9633
or CLICK HERE
SKETCHBOOK '08 is NOT included in the Flex Pass Offer.
“The greatest success is Collaboration's creation of a community that welcomes its audience as collaborators and co-conspirators.” ~ The Chicago Reader
"For all those who bemoan the graying of theater audiences and the difficulty of attracting young recruits to the theatergoing ranks, there can be one loud response: Collaboraction." ~ Chicago Sun Times
