About Us

The Collaboraction Development Council

Committee Chairs
Matt Woodburn, Council Chair, Account Director, Sound Investment A/V

Lorna Juett, Marketing Chair, City Provisions Catering & Events

Katie Rahn, PR Chair, Marketing Coordinator, the Art Institute of Chicago

Patrick Ryan, Internal/External RelationsTax Associate, Deloitte Tax LLP
General Members
Dana Anderson, Executive Producer, The Concrete Runway, Inc.
Yvonne Cheng, Senior Internet Project Manager, Crate & Barrel
Matt DuFour, Partner En Prise Entertainment, LLP & Publisher UR Chicago Online
Beth Gomez, Broker Associate, Koenig & Strey Real Estate
Anne Harvey, Actor
Isabelle Libmann, Director of PR and Special Events, Buddy Guy’s Legends
Anthony Qaiyum, President, Merz Apothecary/Smallflower.com
Christine Sanders, External Relations Specialist, Rotary International
Graham Thomas, Midwest Sales, Crain Communications

Carmelita Tiu, Senior Clearance Coordinator, Harpo Productions Inc.

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The Company

Emily Cripe
Lily Fortin*
Mark Hicks
Caroline McCall
Michael Oberholtzer**
Krista Peel
Sam Porretta
Brant Russell**
Galina Shevchenko

Anacron_2 Anacron Allen
Anacron is the living, breathing personification of the pseudo culture called Hip Hop.  A true modern renaissance artist, he is the master of many forms of expression.  Musically, he is an instrumentalist, a composer, a songwriter, a music producer, and a disc jockey.  However, his talents expand beyond the audible ranges of artistic output; Anacron is also a graffiti artist, a visual artist, a graphic designer, a break-dancer, as well as an accomplished businessman.

Musically, Anacron is best known for his casual and conversational yet in-depth lyrical delivery, and his amazingly crafted and ingenious instrumental production.  Boasting a catalog of over 15 releases on his own independent PntGllryNtwrk label since 1995, and countless other projects and contributions to various labels and recording artists internationally, Anacron is the icing on the cake of any project. His presence adds an intense yet inviting feel to any musical endeavor, whether his role is vocal or musical.

Born on the East coast, raised on the West coast, and having resided in the Midwest has had a grand effect on the development of Anacron’s signature and recognizable styles of production and lyricism.  From the original Peanut Gallery Network recordings to the West coast classic Netherworlds album, something about Anacron stands out; his participation and performance is always charismatic, thoughtful, and fitting.  With a broad yet bluntly honest and clearly defined view of the world around him, he always leaves a lasting impression as a guest on any album.  His amalgamation of live instrumentation and sampling, mainstream appeal and independent creativity makes for one of the most imitated and sought-after production styles in the industry.

Outside of his collaborations with colleagues and friends in the hip-hop underground, Anacron also plays an active role in the musical expansion of singers of various genres, jazz groups, pop and rock bands, and even film and stage soundscapes. Appreciated and admired around the world on an independent platform, Anacron has spent a decade teetering on the edge of commercial success; ultimately, it is only a matter of time before he is rightfully recognized by all as the stellar talent that he is.

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Sethy_bockley_headshot Seth Bockley Seth is an independent director, performer and writer currently serving as Collaboraction's Associate Artistic Director.  He joined the company in 2007 after directing Keith Huff's "The Deep Blue Sea" for Sketchbook 7.   Other Collaboraction credits include Creative Director for Beggars' Banquet 2007 and 2008 and author of the Sketchbook classic "Laika's Coffin" which recently toured to New York City as part of Great Small Works' 2008 Toy Theater Festival.  Additional writing credits include "Boneyard Prayer" at Redmoon, and directing credits include Walkabout's "War Garden" and "Impossible Cities: A Utopian Experiment."  In 2007 Bockley completed an intensive two year mentorship in directing and art directing with Redmoon Theater made possible by Theater Communication Group's New Generations grant. 

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Sarah_gitensteinSarah Gitenstein
Sarah just celebrated her 3 year anniversary with Collaboraction and is proud to say she is one of the theater's newest Company members.  She is a native of Washington, DC and holds a BA in Drama from Kenyon College. Sarah was the casting director, assistant director, and understudy for Jenny Chow in The Intelligent Design of Jenny Chow and got to perform the role 7 times!  For Collaboraction, Sarah has also served as the casting director for 365 Plays, the assistant to Erica Daniels for Trueblinka, assistant director for The Pull Toy and his Paisan, and an associate producer for Sketchbook 6 & 7. She has performed in Pavement Group's "Perks of Nudity," Collaboraction's 365 Plays, Teatro Vista's 365 Plays, and Curious Theater's "Never Enough Nothing". You can see her this fall in the 2007 Rhinocerous Festival  in parts 1 & 2 of Beau O'reilly's trilogy "The Madeline".

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Cary_cronholmCary Cronholm Rose**
Cary originally hails from San Francisco. She then ventured to Kenyon College, moved to Chicago to attend Second City, and is now thrilled to be a  member of Collaboraction.  She is also a founding company member of Pine Box Theatre company. www.pineboxtheatre.org She is happily married to Michael David Rose, an architectural photographer, and they just got a new puppy!

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Jeremy_pic Jeremy Getz Facilities Tech. Director
Jeremy Getz is a well-known, diverse and accomplished lighting designer working in Chicago for the past 10 years. After receiving a BFA in lighting design from DePaul University Theater School, he vigorously pursued a passion for the theatre, helping to establish and maintain Collaboraction, an acclaimed theatre company, for which his creative and thoughtful designs received much attention from local media sources, as well as for lighting many other diverse organizations such as the Albany Park Theater Project, Circle Theater, Ensemble Espanola, and most recently Steppenwolf Garage.

In addition to theater he had designed the lighting for several area nightclubs and restaurants including Avec, RedNofive, Hydrate and OHM. In addition, Mr. Getz has served as the technical director and lighting designer of Northside College Prep for the past five years. He also works as a freelance lighting technician and programmer for Intelligent Lighting Creations and Upstaging.

Mr. Getz has extensive experience in both managerial and consultant positions, overseeing large-scale installation projects for churches, high-schools, and theaters, supervising, as well as designing the lighting installation systems. Projects include River of Life in Seattle, Spring Branch in Virginia Beach, and St. Francis and St. Charles High Schools, both in Chicago.

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Isabelle_1Isabelle Libmann
Isabelle first became involved with Collaboraction in 2005, when she worked on the infamous body-painted fashion show segment of Carnaval '05.  Since then, she has produced and co-produced many of Collaboractions events and is excited about this year's gala of enormous proportions: Beggar's Banquet 2007: Dia de los Muertos/Noche de los Vivos, coming to the Park West this November 10th.  Isabelle also serves as the Director of Public Relations and Special Events for Buddy Guy's Legends and also works for Buddy Guy Management.

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John_cabrera John Cabrera*
Over the past 8 years John has worked as a professional actor in film, television, and theatre.  His acting credits include productions with such esteemed theaters as The Mark Taper Forum (LA), South Coast Rep. (LA), Roadworks Productions (Chicago), and his own Collaboraction.  He played the role of Brian for the last five seasons of The CW’s hit television series Gilmore Girls.  In 2001 John was awarded a Joseph Jefferson Citation Award for his performace as Nat in Collaboraction's accailmed production of Refuge. He is also an accomplished film director, whose credits include The Man Who Invented the Moon, Crazy Love, Maybe It’s Albuquerque, and Affair Game.  Crazy Love was made during the 48 hour Instant Films project, and he received the top honor for best director.  The film also garnered a critic’s pick at The Palm Springs International Short Film Festival.  The Man Who Invented the Moon was awarded best comedy at the Midwest Independent Film Festival. John holds a BFA from DePaul University’s Goodman School of Drama. Much of his work can be viewed at www.johncabrera.com

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Sandra_delgadoSandra Delgado
Sandra is a founding member of Collaboraction. Her most recent Collaboraction project, the 2007 edition of Sketchbook, marks her third year serving as a producer on the festival. An actress, she was recently seen in Steppenwolf's production of Sonia Flew in the role of young Sonia. Other acting credits include work in Chicago with: The Goodman Theatre, Teatro Vista, Victory Gardens, Lookingglass, About Face, Apple Tree; and regionally with Actors Theatre of Louisville, INTAR and Missouri Repertory. Highlights of her work with Collaboraction include Guinea Pig Solo and Refuge and most recently the Collaboraction short film Young Wives, originally produced as part of Sketchbook in 2006. Ms. Delgado is also the Associate Artistic Director of Teatro Vista, the mid-west’s only Equity Latino Theatre, and her work there includes Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner and the world premiere of Jose Rivera’s Massacre (Sing to your Children) in association with the Goodman Theatre. She is happily awaiting the birth of her first child with husband Anthony Moseley this fall.

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Ian_pic Ian Forester**
Ian Forester's Chicago credits include Film Crew, the Goodman Theatre. The Last Days of Judas Iscariot, Steep Theater. Richard II, ART. Ambition Facing West, Thunder and Lightning. Guinea Pig Solo, Sketchbook 04, Collaboraction. Icarus' Mother, The Barstow Project. NYC: Richard & Anne, Young Mirror Rep. Co., and readings of Leaving Eden at NYTW and General Desdemona at 78th Street Theatre Lab. 2004 Edinburgh Fringe Festival: General Desdemona, Hooverville. Film/TV: Sketch, Mindlight Films. The Reynolds Influence, Split Pillow for the Chicago Comedy Pilot competition. Ian has been a Collaboraction Company member since 2004 and has served as an Associate Artistic Director since 2006. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Performance Studies from Northwestern and can currently be seen in COLLABORACTION's, The Intelligent Design of Jenny Chow, NOW RUNNING THROUGH JULY 1st.

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MoellerSarah Moeller  
Sarah Moeller’s credits with Collaboraction include Production Manager and Assistant Director for The Siddhartha Project, Stage Manager for The Pull Toy and his Paisan, Sketchbooks 6 & 7, director for Susan Lori-Parks' 365 Plays/365 Days and Tone Clusters, the first in their new studio series project.  Additionally, she has worked on Collaboraction's annual Carnaval and Beggar's Banquet.  She also works with Eclipse Theatre Company as a dramaturg and stage manager.  In addition to theater Sarah enjoys teaching music to the children of Humboldt Park.

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Joel_pic Joel Moorman
Joel is an Associate Artistic Director for Collaboraction, where most recently he directed Autobiography for SKETCHBOOK; currently running at The Steppenwolf Garage and Trust Life in Collaboraction's 365 Days/365 Plays, as well the last three Sketchbook festivals. Joel recently directed Eulogy for a small Time Thief with Urban Theatre Company and was also Collaboraction's producer for their 2005 season. By day, Joel works with Lookingglass Theatre Company. Over the last seven years Joel has produced or directed over forty professional Chicago productions. Other Chicago credits include American Theatre Company, Apple Tree, Around the Coyote, Bailiwick, CityLit, The Goodman, Seanachai and Teatro Vista.  Joel served as Producer for Collaboraction's
The Intelligent Design of Jenny Chow.

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Sketchbook_anthony_with_kids Anthony Moseley 
Anthony has been the Executive Artistic Director of COLLABORACTION since 1999, where he has led the company through a period of remarkable growth, producing over 40 productions and events including COLLABORACTION’S annual Sketchbook festival, The Life and Times of Tulsa Lovechild; a road trip, Guinea Pig Solo and many more. His past COLLABORACTION directing credits include Mud by Maria Irene Fornes, the Chicago
premiere of Refuge by Jessica Goldberg (2000 Jeff Citation nomination for Best Direction), To Kill a Mockingbird by Christopher Sergel based on the novel by Harper Lee, the Chicago premiere of The Cosmonaut's Last Message to the Woman He One Loved in the Former Soviet Union by David Greig, the Chicago premiere of Guinea Pig Solo by Brett C. Leonard, the world premiere of The Pull Toy (and His Pasian) by Robert McEwen and numerous world premiere short plays at Sketchbook. Mr. Moseley produced, directed and wrote Nightlight (Independent Film Channel) and The Bee (winner of Audience Choice Award – Short Film, 2002 N.Y. Int'l Independent Film Festival) and is currently Executive Producing Stephen Cone's Young Wives (from Sketchbook 6). As an actor, Mr. Moseley was most recently seen or rather heard in the role of Joe in the world premiere of Jose Rivera's Massacre, produced by the Teatro Vista in Assocation with the Goodman Theatre in the Owen Theatre. He as has also been seen in COLLABORACTION’S When You Comin' Back Red Ryder (1999 Jeff Citation nomination for Best Actor), Beyond Therapy, Three Sisters, Spandex and Sympathy.  Anthony is also very proud to be the current Maggio Fellow at Goodman Theatre. Mr. Moseley has also been seen in numerous commercials, movies, and dance floors.

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.PolaskimileshsMiles Polaski
Miles is one of Collaboraction's newest company members.  He has sound designed their production of Trueblinka by Adam Rapp as well as Sketchbook 6 & 7.  Miles was recently nominated for two Jeff Citations for his design and composition on Actor's Workshop's production of Equus by Peter Shaffer.  He took over for the musician for Jenny Chow's third extention.  Before moving to Chicago, Miles worked as an actor and sound designer at The Barter Theatre, state theater of Virginia, for 3 years.

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Kimberly_senior Kimberly Senior *
Kimberly is the founder and a company member of Collaboraction Theatre Company and an Artistic Associate with Strawdog Theatre Company and Next Theatre Company.  For Collaboraction, Kimberly has directed CASANOVA, APOCALYPTIC BUTTERFLIES, and the Jeff award winning THE LIFE AND TIMES OF TULSA LOVECHILD, among others.  Kimberly has also served as Producer for several Sketchbooks and productions.  Other recent productions include NARNIA for Emerald City Theatre Company; the world premiere of FEAST by Aline Lathrop at Chicago Dramatists; the world premiere musical ELECTRONIC BABY, BobKat Productions; THREE SISTERS in a world premiere translation by Curt Columbus, Strawdog and Theatre on the Lake; BOLD GIRLS, Seanachai; PATTY RED PANTS, Blackbird Productions; MOUSE COP, Noble Fool Theater. Next season Kimberly will direct THE BUSY WORLD IS HUSHED for Next Theatre; THE EYE OF THE STORM for the Vittum Theater; DOLLY WEST'S KITCHEN for Timeline Theatre, and THE GLASS MENAGERIE at Oakton Community College.  In addition, she has directed for Estrogen Fest, Maxwell Street Historic Preservation Coalition, Rivendell Theatre Ensemble, Shakespeare's Motley Crew, Northlight Theatre, Roadworks Productions, Northwestern University, College of DuPage,  National Louis University, WFMT Radio among others.  As a teacher, Kimberly is a Resident Artist with Steppenwolf for Young Adults and Lead Teaching Artist at Court Theatre.  Kimberly has taught classes and/or run programs at Roadworks Productions, Act One Studios, Redmoon Theatre, Victory Gardens, Audition Studio, Metropolis Center for the Performing Arts and others. She last appeared on stage in Steppenwolf Theatre Company's NO PLACE LIKE HOME, for which she was also a contributing writer.  She is the recipient of the 2001 Mercedes Mentor Award and was named one of the top 5 Chicago directors by New City in 2001. Kimberly lives in Chicago with her husband, actor and Collaboraction associate, Lance Baker, and their son, Noah.

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John_zinn_headshotJohn Zinn
John is very active in the Chicago theater community, known mainly as an actor and a marketer. At Collaboraction, he has acted in Sketchbooks Two & Seven, and has consulted on marketing numerous times. He was Associate Artistic Director for storefront favorite Uma, recently defunct after six years of production. As an actor, his stage credits include Uma's The Violet Hour, The Pool of Bethesda, why they invented dancing (also at the New York Fringe Festival), and Moment: Three Days of Rain/The Author's Voice. He has also acted at a number of other Chicago & West Coast theaters, including Timeline, Signal, National Pastime, Victory Gardens, Artists Repertory Theatre and Tygre's Heart Shakespeare. Film credits include the acclaimed short The Fifth Horseman, the independent feature Into It, and he has done numerous commercial voice-overs. And you may have seen him in a loincloth in Altoids ads in your favorite magazines. John has an MFA in Acting from The Theatre School/DePaul University and is Marketing Director at Steppenwolf Theatre Company.

** Non-Active Members
* Emeritus Company Members

The Staff

Anthony Moseley - Executive Artistic Director
Seth Bockley - Associate Artistic Director

Joel Moorman - Associate Artistic Director

Sam Porretta – Creative Director

Michelle Kelley - Director of Development
Martin Kamenski - Managing Director

Sarah Moeller - Production Manager

Jeffrey Gardner - Marketing Coordinator


 


Sketchbook_anthony_with_kids

Anthony Moseley; Executive Artistic Director Anthony has been the Executive Artistic Director of COLLABORACTION since 1999, where he has led the company through a period of remarkable growth, producing over 40 productions and events including COLLABORACTION’S annual Sketchbook festival, The Life and Times of Tulsa Lovechild; a road trip, Guinea Pig Solo and many more. His past COLLABORACTION directing credits include Mud by Maria Irene Fornes, the Chicago premiere of Refuge by Jessica Goldberg (2000 Jeff Citation nomination for Best Direction), To Kill a Mockingbird by Christopher Sergel based on the novel by Harper Lee, the Chicago premiere of The Cosmonaut's Last Message to the Woman He One Loved in the Former Soviet Union by David Greig, the Chicago premiere of Guinea Pig Solo by Brett C. Leonard, the world premiere of The Pull Toy (and His Pasian) by Robert McEwen and numerous world premiere short plays at Sketchbook. Mr. Moseley produced, directed and wrote Nightlight (Independent Film Channel) and The Bee (winner of Audience Choice Award – Short Film, 2002 N.Y. Int'l Independent Film Festival) and is currently Executive Producing Stephen Cone's Young Wives (from Sketchbook 6). As an actor, Mr. Moseley was most recently seen or rather heard in the roleof Joe in the world premiere of Jose Rivera's Massacre, produced by the Teatro Vista in Assocation with the Goodman Theatre in the Owen Theatre. He as has also been seen in COLLABORACTION’S When You Comin' Back Red Ryder (1999 Jeff Citation nomination for Best Actor), Beyond Therapy, Three Sisters, Spandex and Sympathy.  Anthony is also very proud to be the current Maggio Fellow at Goodman Theatre. Mr. Moseley has also been seen in numerous commercials, movies, and dance floors.

Sethy_bockley_headshot Seth Bockley, Associate Artistic Director
is an independent director, performer and writer currently serving as Collaboraction's Associate Artistic Director.  He joined the company in 2007 after directing Keith Huff's "The Deep Blue Sea" for Sketchbook 7.   Other Collaboraction credits include Creative Director for Beggars' Banquet 2007 and 2008 and author of the Sketchbook classic "Laika's Coffin" which recently toured to New York City as part of Great Small Works' 2008 Toy Theater Festival.  Additional writing credits include "Boneyard Prayer" at Redmoon, and directing credits include Walkabout's "War Garden" and "Impossible Cities: A Utopian Experiment."  In 2007 Bockley completed an intensive two year mentorship in directing and art directing with Redmoon Theater made possible by Theater Communication Group's New Generations grant. 

Joel_pic Joel Moorman, Associate Artistic Director
Mr. Moorman is an Associate Artistic Director for Collaboraction, where most recently he directed Autobiography for SKETCHBOOK; currently running at The Steppenwolf Garage and Trust Life in Collaboraction's 365 Days/365 Plays, as well the last three Sketchbook festivals. Joel recently directed Eulogy for a small Time Thief with Urban Theatre Company and was also Collaboraction's producer for their 2005 season. By day, Joel works with Lookingglass Theatre Company. Over the last seven years Joel has produced or directed over forty professional Chicago productions. Other Chicago credits include American Theatre Company, Apple Tree, Around the Coyote, Bailiwick, CityLit, The Goodman, Seanachai and Teatro Vista.  Joel served as Producer for Collaboraction's The Intelligent Design of Jenny Chow.

Michelle2 Michelle Kelley Director of Development
In 2001 Michelle moved to the windy city from deep in the heart of Texas and in 2005 she earned her BA from DePaul University in Communications with a minor in Theatre Studies.   As the Director of Development, Michelle is Collaboraction’s primary development manager and oversees all key fundraising tasks.  She's always searching for new fundraising opportunities and cultivating our donor relationships.  If you're interested in Collaboraction, drop Michelle a line at michelle@collaboraction.org




Martin Martin Kamenski, Managing Director
Martin left Marquette University in Milwaukee with a Bachelors in Theater and a Masters in Accounting under his belt. He made the move to Chicago in 2006 and met Collaboraction his second day in town while working with Chopin Theater. After serving as Business Manager for one year, Martin was honored to accept the posiiton of Managing Director of Collaboraction. In addition to the work he does with this company, Martin is also acting General Manager at Victory Gardens Theater and owns and oversees an accounting practice with a specialization in the entertainment industry. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Global Alliance of Artists and Matter Dance Company, and is booking and producing the bands for the Renegade Craft Fair in Chicago. In his dwindling free time, you can find Martin racking the balls at any number of pool tables around town.


Moeller Sarah Moeller, Production Manager
Sarah Moeller’s credits with Collaboraction include Production Manager and Assistant Director for The Siddhartha Project, Stage Manager for The Pull Toy and his Paisan, Sketchbooks 6 & 7, director for Susan Lori-Parks' 365 Plays/365 Days and Tone Clusters, the first in their new studio series project.  Additionally, she has worked on Collaboraction's annual Carnaval and Beggar's Banquet.  She also works with Eclipse Theatre Company as a dramaturg and stage manager.  In addition to theater Sarah enjoys teaching music to the children of Humboldt Park.



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Jeffery Gardner, Marketing Coordinator

Jeffrey Gardner is a director and producer based out of Chicago,IL with a passion for the adaptation and renewal of classical and Greek theatre.  He was an adjunct instructor at Kenyon College, where he had previously graduated with honors in Drama and Classical History, and is the producer for "Our Fair City," a new episodic web series.  Recent directorial credits include: WAR MUSIC (Logue), THE BACCHAE (Euripides), ANTIGONE (Anouilh), OF MICE AND MEN (Steinbeck) and THE CHAIR (Rice).  Jeffery, a former Collaboraction intern, is excited to begin his new post as Marketing Coordinator.

                                        

About Us

COLLABORACTION MISSION

MISSION
Collaboraction is a company of creative people organized as a non-profit corporation which acts as the hub of a large and fluid Chicago-based artistic community to create unique artistic experiences through theater and multidisciplinary collaboration in order to celebrate the human spirit.

VISION

Our vision is one of growth and evolution in entertainment, driven by a diverse collection of artists committed to creating and sharing unique, inspired, and energizing interactive theatrical experiences. We take inspiration from theater, music, film, visual art and dance. We combine these mediums in unexpected and original ways.

VALUES
We value the fundamentals of writing, directing, design, and acting which we inherited from a great Chicago theater tradition. We also value ambitious, high-quality work that addresses the interests of our target audience in novel and entertaining ways. We value the ideal of an inclusive artistic community, where both artist and audience are integral. We value innovative marketing. While we are artistically ambitious we have learned that true creativity can only be sustained by an organization which values fiscal responsibility and sound business planning. Finally, we highly value our Brand Identity comprising of the following elements.

  • THEATRE-BASED, ARTISTIC COMMUNITY
  • MULTI-DISCIPLINARY COLLABORATION
  • HIGHLY NETWORKED WITH OTHER ARTISTS & OUR AUDIENCE
  • FOCUSED ON A YOUNG, URBAN (CHICAGO-BASED) DEMOGRAPHIC
  • HIGH PRODUCTION VALUES
  • ARTISTICALLY AMBITIOUS
  • NOVEL, INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCES
  • SOUND BUSINESS PLANNING

The Board

Jonathan Aberman, Co-President

Jonathan E. Aberman is a shareholder with the law firm of Vedder Price P.C. in Chicago, Illinois. Mr. Aberman concentrates his practice in the areas of corporate bankruptcy, business reorganizations and workouts.  Mr. Aberman has also represented artists pro bono through the Lawyers for the Creative Arts.  Mr. Aberman earned his law degree from Northwestern University School of Law in 1998 and a B.A. in History from Duke Univeristy in 1995.


Ed Rafalski, PhD, MPH, Co-President

Edward Rafalski is currently the Vice President of Marketing for Alexian Brothers Hospital Network, Arlington Heights, IL. In this role, he is responsible for all marketing, data analytics, public relations and communications activities for the Alexian Brothers Hospital Network.  Dr. Rafalski has an extensive background in strategic planning, data analytics, decision support, business development, marketing, public relations, group purchasing and managed care contracting. He has also served as an executive liaison for emergency department and children’s hospital operations. 
After graduating from the University of Chicago with a bachelor’s degree in public policy studies, Dr. Rafalski received a master’s degree in public health from Yale University School of Medicine. He received his Ph.D. in public health sciences from the Division of Health Policy and Administration at the University of Illinois, School of Public Health. Dr. Rafalski is a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois, School of Public Health where his health services research and teaching interests include the effects of market economics on health care services, healthcare decision support, quantitative methods, marketing, strategic management and hospital closure.

Nik Rokop, Treasurer

Nik is Managing Director of the Jules F. Knapp Entrepreneurship Center at IIT, founded to help local entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses. The KEC provides a wide range of services: advisory, business development and access to IITs resources such as the University Technology Park. Nik is President & CEO of nLake Technology Partners, a management, business development and technology commercialization group specializing in nanotechnology. He has 30 years successful entrepreneurial experience in engineering, manufacturing, sales, marketing and international operations. His career spans the iron and steel industries, manufacturing, consulting and the Internet. Nik is a supporter of the entrepreneurial community as founding member of the Chicago Microtechnology & Nanotechnology Community, founding member of the BIG Idea Forum, Vice Chair of the MIT Enterprise Forum of Chicago, and member of the Steering Committee of the Technology Commercialization Task Force. Nik was named one of i-Street Magazine's Top 100 in Technology & Economic Development in 2002. Nik is a member of the board of Save Abandoned Babies of Illinois and is a lover and supporter of the arts. Nik holds a Professional Engineerís license in PA and earned his BS in Mathematics from Carnegie Mellon and a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh.


Dana LaChapelle, Secretary

Dana got hooked on Collaboraction when her son Matthew interned with Collaboraction back in 1995..  She and husband Rick went to see Collaboraction's Guinea Pig Solo -- and they have been at every performance since.   Dana retired from Accenture, an international consulting, systems integration and outsourcing firm, in 2008 after 29 years in Retail and Distribution Consulting.  From 2006- 2008, she was the Director of Operations for Accenture's Products and Health Care Practice in North America and directed their Quality Program.  She and Rick have remained active since retirement with some consulting work and a variety of volunteer opportunities, especially those related to families of children with disabilities.  They also enjoy travel, sailing, and most any outdoor activity.

Dana  loves the theatre and would like to contribute her passion and experience to help Collaboraction prosper and grow.   Believing that volunteerism is a family affair,  Dana's husband Rick is also on the Board.  Their son, Matthew,  remains active as an Associate and volunteers often with Collaboraction.   Look for all the LaChapelle's at their favorite Collaboraction event -- Sketchbook.



Harry Arader, Board Emeritus

of Harry Arader is President of The Centromere Group, a business consultancy specializing in biotechnology start-ups.  He is Co-Founder and until recently served as President of Nanodisc Inc., a “

nano

-biotech” start-up being spun out of the U of I Urbana.  In other Centromere Group projects, Mr. Arader acts as Senior Business Advisor to D Nova Technologies Inc. which has hormonal products ready to enter Phase III clinical trials.  He has served as a Business Development Consultant to Orion Genomics LLC, an epigenetics-based diagnostic company in St. Louis. He serves as Director for Midway Pharmaceuticals, a new gastrointestinal drug company recently spun out from the University of Chicago.  He also served as Start-up CEO for BioDisplay Technologies Inc. which he sold to Abbott Laboratories in December 2001.   Through the Centromere Group, Mr. Arader has also served as a technology strategy consultant to many more established established life-science organizations including Monsanto, Unimed Pharmaceuticals (now Solvay), the University of Illinois, Argonne National Laboratory and to various governmental entities including the State of Illinois and Indiana’s 21st Century Fund.  Earlier in his career, Mr Arader was Chief Financial Officer of Millennium Pharmaceuticals Inc. which held its highly successful IPO during his time there.  Prior to Millennium he spent 10 years at Searle Pharmaceuticals as Managing Director of Searle Greater China; VP-International Marketing; and Executive Director-Strategic Planning among other roles.  Prior to Searle, Mr. Arader held positions in Sales and Marketing at Merck and Company. Mr. Arader did is undergraduate training in Anthropology at SUNY Purchase, and earned an MBA at The Wharton School in 1983.

Manuela Guidi, Board Emeritus


Paul Klein

Paul Klein has long been an art advocate and cheerleader for art in Chicago.  In 2006 his long term contributions were acknowledged by the Chicago Society of Artists when he was selected as their 2006 Man of the Year.

Mr. Klein is presently the Art Curator for the 2.5 million square foot expansion of McCormick Place, which will open during the summer of 2007.  It was his vision to use solely Chicago and Illinois artists at the new convention center.  Furthermore all the content of the permanently installed art is Chicago and Illinois specific.  Ranging from a painting of stacked endangered turtles indigenous to Illinois, to artwork inspired by the Columbian Exhibition, to a suite of paintings inspired by Nelson Algren, to forward thinking, interactive digital artwork, the collection is accessible, engaging and makes a dynamic statement about and in support of art in our City and region. (Please see accompanying book presenting the McCormick collection. Artwork is presently being installed.)

For the past 4 years Mr. Klein has championed Chicago by writing and distributing ArtLetter, an online examination of art in Chicago.  With 14,000 subscribers he previews new exhibitions and encourages readers to broaden their horizons by embracing unexpected quality, new venues, dynamic artists and strong exhibitions.  (Please see second accompanying book reproducing those articles.)

Klein owned and operated Klein Art Works, a cutting edge art gallery in Chicago from 1981 to 2004.  When he first opened in River North he established the area as a new art center.  After his gallery was destroyed by fire in 1989, his pioneering move to River West in led to the development of the entire area.

In over 20 years as a leading Chicago art gallery he established friendships with acknowledged and new collectors and civic leaders. He has always participated in his community and is highly respected by Chiacago artists for his numerous survey exhibitions that brought attention to broad and diverse segments of the art community.

In recent years, because of his Chicago focus at McCormick Place and his plain-speaking ArtLetter he has become the go-to guy in the expanding Chicago art scene, advising the Merchandise Mart on various facets of their impressive Art Chicago Fair, and consults artists and cultural institutions almost daily.

He serves on the board of the Chicago Art Project, Collaboraction, Three Walls and the Around the Coyote arts festival.


David Rosen

David Rosen is President of The Competence Group/Chicago, Inc., a full-service consulting firm specializing in distinctive event planning, VIP hospitality, and fundraising for Democratic Party campaigns and for non-profit organizations. In January 2003, Campaigns & Elections Magazine’s named The Competence Group to its Best Clients list, which recognizes the firms that served on the most important and competitive contests for the 2002 election cycle, and in November 2002, Crain’s Chicago Business named Rosen as one of its “Forty Under Forty.”

Before founding The Competence Group in 2001, Rosen worked as finance director on several national campaigns, including Hillary Clinton’s U.S. Senate campaign and the Gore 2000 campaign. Prior to that, he worked for several years as a finance director for the Democratic National Committee. He began his career in party fundraising with the Clinton/Gore ’96 campaign. Rosen also served as director of development for the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. 

In addition to his political and non-profit experience, Rosen is a master salesperson and highly motivational sales trainer. From 1985 to 1995, Rosen worked for the Southwestern Company, a 146 year-old publishing company that sells its product through a student summer sales program. Rosen managed, hired and trained student salespeople alongside to serving his own territory. Twelve years after the leaving the company, Rosen is still the number two lifetime producer for the company.

Rosen is a member of the board of the Friends of the Chicago River.

Rosen graduated with honors from DePaul University in 1996. He holds a BA in Political Science.


Elaine Roth

Elaine Roth graduated from Indiana University with a BS in Education, majoring in English, with a minor in French.  She holds the MALS from Dominican University, and a certificate in School Administration from DePaul University.

Elaine held the position of Department Chair of the New Trier East High School Library and then Director of the Oak Park and River Forest High School Library.

Under Margie Pate, she interned with the Grant Park Concerts Society where she wrote grants, met with prospective funders including Sara Lee, Amoco, and Polk Bros. Foundation; she also acted as staff secretary to the Society's Board.

Later she worked for the Society under Elizabeth Kearns where she became principal grant writer and staff liaison to the Board.

Elaine filled in for Marcey McVey at Victory Gardens during Marcey's pregnancy and for a few months after the birth of her son.  Elaine's main responsibility was grant writing, but she also had other development responsibilities, including the annual fund-raising brochure, helping with the theatre's newsletter, maintaining relationships with the board, and providing other administrative help.

Later, during service on the Victory Gardens Theatre Board, Elaine was a member of the Marketing committee, served on the Annual Benefit committee, and helped with the Victory Gardens Auction.

 

She was president for two years of the Women's Board of the Union League Club's Boys and Girls Foundation where she twice chaired the annual Benefit Ball.

On Temple Emanuel's board she served as VP for Religious Activities and chaired the annual benefit;  and on Temple KAM Isaiah Israel's board she served on the Library, Music, Religious Practices and Rabbinic Search committees.

She has served on committees at the Union League Club including Public Affairs, Membership, House, Communications, Library, and various task forces and subcommittees.

She currently sits on the Sisterhood Board of Temple Sholom of Chicago and the Civic & Arts Foundation Board of the Union League Club of Chicago.


Collaboraction History

Collaboraction is an award-winning theater dedicated to melding artistries and providing them in a variety of forms. Founded in 1997, the company has created over 35 productions representing a wide variety of genres that have garnered 16 Joseph Jefferson nominations and four Joseph Jefferson awards. Performances and events are collaborative in nature; Collaboraction has worked with over 2,500 artists and volunteers in dozens of venues in the Chicago area. In the ten years since its inception, Collaboraction has established itself as a reputable non-profit arts organization that has performed for over 60,000 audience participants, and as an artistic force with a unique voice in Chicago.

The company cultivates the influence of new ideas and creativity from several disciplines, taking inspiration from theater, music, film, visual art and dance and combining them in unexpected and original ways. Collaboraction’s examining nature is rooted in the blending of these mediums as a means to enhance the audiences’ experience and to cultivate the artistic growth of collaborative artists. The company seeks to offer cultural experiences that truly reflect and contribute to the total range of human experience. In addition, Collaboraction strives to give young, emerging and mid-career Illinois artists opportunities to present their work in showcases like Sketchbook and our Total Environment fundraisers, such as Beggars Banquet and Carnaval.

Collaboraction’s core creative values are defined by the creation of inspired and energizing theatrical experiences for its expanding audiences and in the constant pursuit of inventive approaches to its work. This theater company continually challenges itself to evolve the quality of its art and strives for evolution artistically, organizationally, and within the community.

For more information on our production history, please visit past projects.

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