Collaboraction

Collaboraction is a Chicago-based theater company and a member of the Theatre Communications Group. Founded in 1997, the company has created over 35 productions, representing a wide variety of genres, that have garnered 14 Joseph Jefferson nominations and four Joseph Jefferson Awards ("Jeffs"). Collaboraction has worked with over 2,500 artists and volunteers in dozens of venues in the Chicago area. In the 12 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 distinct, 21st-century voice in Chicago.

Sketchbook has been produced in past years at the Garage at Steppenwolf Theatre, Chopin Theatre, and the Viaduct Theatre. The 2009 Sketchbook will be produced in April 2009 at The Building Stage.

Past company members include John Cabrera.

In 2008, Collaboraction produced a stage adaptation by Seth Bockley of Jon, a short story by George Saunders, and in January 2009 premiered Goldbrick, a musical based on the songs of Jon Langford.

Sketchbook

Since 2000, Collaboraction has annually produced Sketchbook, a festival of short plays performed in collaboration with visual artists, musicians, and designers.

Playwrights produced at Sketchbook include Rebecca Gilman, Sean Graney, Wendy MacLeod, Itamar Moses, Brett Neveu, Adam Rapp, Jose Rivera, and Regina Taylor.

Actors at Sketchbook have included Michael Shannon.

Artists participating in Sketchbook have included Krista Peel, Wesley Kimler, and Tony Fitzpatrick.

Production history

• El Grito del Bronx (2009) - co-production with Teatro Vista at the Goodman theatre
• Goldbrick (2009) - co-production with Walkabout Theater Company
• Jon (2008)
• Heroes and Villains (2008)
• The Intelligent Design of Jenny Chow (2007)
• The Siddhartha Project: A Down Home, Apocalyptic, Avalanche of Beauty (2007)
• Tone Clusters (2007)
• 365 Days/365 Plays (2007)
• Trueblinka (2006)
• The Pull Toy (and His Paisan) (2006)
• Casanova (2005)
• Guinea Pig Solo (2005)
• Apocalyptic Butterflies (2003)
• The Cosmonaut's Last Message To The Woman He Once Loved In The Former Soviet Union (2003)
• Suffering City (2003)
• The Joy of Going Somewhere Definite (2002)
• The Life and Times of Tulsa Lovechild (2001–2002)
• Refuge (2000)
• Trojan Women (1999)
• Chicks (1999)
• Lone Star/Laundry and Bourbon (1999)
• When You Comin’ Back, Red Ryder? (1999)
• The Dreamer Examines His Pillow (1999)
• Three Sisters (1998)
• Aria Da Capo (1998)
• Mud (1998)

References

• http://collaboraction.typepad.com/about_us
• http://collaboraction.typepad.com/past_projects/past-projects.html
• http://www.centerstagechicago.com/theatre/whoswho/CollaborActionTheatreCompany.html
• http://newcitystage.com/tag/collaboraction/
• http://collaboraction.typepad.com/past_sketchbooks/2007/08/sketchbook-7.html
• http://leisureblogs.chicagotribune.com/the_theater_loop/2008/11/hyper-markete-1.html
• http://www.chopintheatre.com/event.php?id=76
• http://www.performink.com/archives/curtain/2001/1-19Curtain.html