The Company:
COLLABORACTION is a not-for-profit corporation which acts as
the hub of a large and fluid Chicago-based artistic community to create unique
artistic experiences through theatre and multi-disciplinary collaboration in
order to celebrate the human spirit.
COLLABORACTION recently marked its tenth anniversary as one
of Chicago's leading
interdisciplinary theatre companies. Our
2007/2008 calendar features two full length dramatic works in addition to our
self-produced gala-events.
Now in its 7th year, our Annual Sketchbook Festival marries
new works by leading national playwrights, visual art installations, live
music, and all manner of public spectacle.
Our main-stage subscription series offers provocative
productions of new works like our upcoming Midwest premiere of the Pulitzer Prize Nominee, The Intelligent Design of Jenny Chow by
Rolin Jones and the world premiere of El Grito Del Bronx by Migdalia Cruz.
With a diverse group of company members, artists and
administrators involved in every facet of performance, visual art, and design
COLLABORACTION is the heart of a one-of-a-kind artistic community. Some artists we have collaborated with in the
past are; Krista Peel, Saverio Truglia, Galena, Shevchenko, Duncan Anderson;
Music-Steve Evans Quartet, JAQ, Traxx, Steve Scott, Sean Graney, Brett Neveu,
and Frank Maugeri.
Responsibilities:
COLLABORACTION prides itself on the creative flexibility of
its internship program. Not only do we
mentor each of our interns as individuals, tailoring work to their specific
talents and goals, but we offer participants a unique level of access to the
Chicago theater and artistic communities, as well as providing an understanding
of management in non-profit arts organizations.
Basic computer skills are essential for most internships.
COLLABORACTION uses an assortment of computer software for activities such as
preparing spreadsheets and databases, tracking and maintaining on-line ticket
sales, creating marketing images, formatting rehearsal scripts, creating and
maintaining web design, and compiling survey data.
COLLABORACTION is a multi-disciplinary theatre. We are eager to work with artists in all
mediums, including but not limited to: Visual Arts, Film and Video,
Photography, Writing, Graphic Design, Lighting, Fashion, Architecture, History,
and performance.
Hours/ Compensation:
Collaboraction’s office hours are typically Mon – Fri 11am-7pm. We ask interns to commit to at least twelve hours a week to
the company, with occasional weekend hours. You will be asked to provide and maintain a schedule of
office hours depending on your schedule and your department.
There is no pay. Compensation is arranged through academic programs (school credit).
Compensation is available for special projects, these projects are for hire and
candidacy for special project jobs are open to interns.
In addition we offer complementary tickets and various
promotion packages.
Job Descriptions
We will be selecting several applicants for, but not limited
to the following positions:
Performing Arts / Theatre / Literary / Research
Participate directly in the day-to-day activities of
COLLABORACTION’S artistic department, and in the process of producing theater
at a mid-size level; assist the Artistic / Executive Director, Casting
Director, and Literary Manager with special events and administrative tasks,
including:
- correspondence and filing
- assist with casting sessions
- reviewing season scripts and script submissions
- updating our archive of actor headshots
- contacting actors to schedule audition times for
upcoming productions
- conduct research for plays in production and under
consideration, as well as for web articles and program notes
- attend rehearsals as needed
- attend artistic staff meetings
All Interns provide general office support within our
administrative offices.
Graphic Design & Web
Participate directly in the day-to-day activities of
COLLABORACTION’S administrative department; assist the Artistic / Executive
Director, General Operations Manager, and Marketing Coordinator with special
events and administrative tasks, including:
- assist in the upkeep of COLLABORACTION’S Website.
- assist in the design of print material and other multimedia
projects
- work along side the artistic staff and the marketing
coordinator, brainstorming and designing marketing images
- create and send out various invitations, bulletins, and
messages advertising the company, productions and special events
- this is a great opportunity for a new graphic designer
looking to build his/her portfolio in the areas of web marketing, email
marketing, ad design, and graphic design
- must be self-motivated, a fast learner, and creative!
All Interns provide general office support within our
administrative offices.
Arts Administration
Participate directly in the day-to-day activities of
COLLABORACTION’S administrative department; assist the Artistic / Executive
Director, and General Operations Manager with special events and administrative
tasks, including:
- correspondence and filing
- assisting the Box Office Manager with reservations for
current productions.
- assist with routine clerical projects, including mass
mailings, Xeroxing, printing and maintaining show files
- attend general operations meetings
- assist in the areas of building operations and maintenance.
All Interns provide general office support within our
administrative offices.
Marketing & Publicity
Observe strategies and procedures for marketing and
publicizing COLLABORACTION’S season of plays and special events to annual
subscribers and the general public. Work
along side The Marketing and P.R. Coordinator, with special events and
administrative tasks including:
- assist with compiling audience survey results
- distribute promotional materials
- assemble press packets
- maintain publicity archives
- assist with special events and opening nights.
- brainstorm appropriate marketing outlets and images.
All Interns provide general office support within our
administrative offices.
Development
Observe the process of fund-raising for a not-for-profit
institution.
Work along side COLLABORACTION’S Department Coordinator,
with special events and administrative tasks including:
- assisting staff with opening nights, benefits, and other
special events
- assist with donor research and database maintenance
- assist with routine clerical projects, including mass mailings
All Interns provide general office support within our
administrative offices.
Production
Observe the planning and technical management of
COLLABORACTION Productions and Theatrical Events that includes world premieres,
Midwest premieres, COLLABORACTIONS infamous SKETCHBOOK,
fundraisers. Work along side The
Artistic Directors, Production Managers, Set Designers and other members of our
artistic and production team with special events and administrative tasks including:
- assist with routine clerical tasks and special projects;
- conduct research for specific productions
- assist stage management needed
- depending on your area of interest assist lighting, scenic,
costume, sound, scenic arts (paints) and properties designers in COLLABORACTION
productions as well as special events
- attend production meetings
All Interns provide general office support within our
administrative offices.
Internship Application Process:
In order to be considered for an internship, we simply ask
all candidates to send in a resume and a brief personal statement detailing
their theatrical and artistic experience, explaining what they hope to gain
from working at Collaboraction. We'll contact promising applicants to and
facilitate an interview with a member of the artistic or operational staff.
Completed applications should be sent to:
Jessica Musselwhite
General Operations Manager
Collaboraction HQ
437 N. Wolcott; Studio 102Chicago, Il 60622
email: jessica@collaboraction.org
I suspect that for devoted supporters of the arts it is impossible to imagine how drastically our lives would change if the varied media that permeate our lives were suddenly removed from our collective artistic experience. Consider how uninteresting things would be if our choices on most weekends were renditions of Our Town, Swan Lake, The Merchant of Venice or a rousing evening of Beatles covers. Each of these are brilliant and I have enjoyed them all, but don’t we already know the punchline? 
