Collaboraction Theatre has announced its 2025 youth ensemble for The Light, a unique youth training program that not only empowers Chicago high schoolers to become skilled artists, but also thoughtful leaders and change makers in their communities.
Meet Collaboraction’s The Light: Anna, Carrington, Kristian, Lavontae, Lucy, Madina, Montiara, Riley, Story, Tre and Zoe.
Collaboraction's 2025 The Light youth ensemble outside the company's new home at the Kimball Arts Center: (from left) Lavontae, Anna, Riley, Lucy, Carrington, Madina, Zoe, Montiara, Story, Tre and Kristian. Credit: Willow James
These 11 multi-talented, BIPOC teen artists/activists are currently training with Collaboraction to create and perform original works of music, dance, poetry and spoken word. They range in age from 14 to 18, reside in Humboldt Park and nearby neighborhoods, and attend public schools. Not only will they share their amazing artistry when they perform around the city this summer, each one of them has something important they want to say about positive social change.
See The Light performing at upcoming special events all over the city, including:
Kidzapalooza
Thursday through Sunday, July 31-Aug 3
at Lollapalooza in Grant Park, 331 E. Randolph St.
Collaboraction returns to Lollapalooza’s Kidzapalooza with its popular Collaboraction Theatre Tent, an air-conditioned oasis for families to celebrate peace, love and magic. Jump in bubble zones, rock with roaming circus performers, enjoy three interactive shows a day, and dive into immersive experiences for families that emphasize respect, belonging and collaboration.
Collaboraction’s 29th Utopian Ball
Saturday, November 15, 6 p.m.
Venue West, 221 N. Paulina St., Chicago
Collaboraction’s annual gala benefit raises funds for the company’s mission, live productions and youth education programs at its new home, now under construction in Humboldt Park’s Kimball Arts Center.
The Light youth ensemble during a breakout session on the 606, across from Collaboraction's new home at the Kimball Arts Center: (from left) Kristian, Carrington, Montiara, Zoe, Madina, Story, Tre, Riley, Lucy, Anna and Lavontae. Credit: Willow James
Step into The Light
Now in its fourth year, Collaboraction’s The Light platforms Chicago youth ages 13 to 18 as both activists and artists. Selected participants are serious about training for careers in theater, storytelling, spoken word, dance, visual art and/or music. Equally important, they demonstrate a strong passion to inspire positive social change through their art around a specific topic, such as racism, homelessness, climate change, body positivity and mental health awareness. In adherence with Collaboraction’s Pay Equity policy, all youth earn equitable pay while participating in The Light, including meetings, rehearsals and performance time.
Right now, this year’s ensemble is training with Collaboraction company members, staff, collaborators and teaching artists, learning about the intersection of live performance and social change while creating original, solo and ensemble works rooted in their own, personal social justice cause. Antonio Mendoza, Collaboraction’s Lead Teaching Artist, directs the program. Acclaimed actress and playwright Regina Taylor and Chicago musician Nicholas Tremulis have already held professional mentoring sessions with this year’s The Light.
Members of Collaboraction's The Light celebrate with Chicago rock music legend and guest mentor Nicholas Tremulis (center) after writing an original song together in Collaboraction's new office space at the Kimball Arts Center in Humboldt Park. Credit: Collaboraction Theatre
Past members of The Light have gone on to remarkable success, including two from last year’s cohort earning full college scholarships, two currently competing on America’s Got Talent, one starring in an Apple TV show, one self-producing and releasing an album on Apple Music, and another attending the CLI Conservatory for elite dance training.
Alums from The Light including Big Ceno, Earl Hester and El Ray are also returning this summer to study and perform as The Luminaries, Collaboraction’s youth continuing education program for graduates of The Light. This program, for ages 18 to 23, equips professional college-aged performers with the skills to create meaningful, socially driven work. Teaching artist Linda Sol also returns as mentor for The Luminaries.
The Light alum Bigg Ceno returns this year as a member of The Luminaries
The Light alum El Ray is back with Collaboraction's The Luminaries
Survey reveals Collaboraction’s The Light leads to improved youth leadership skills, self-assurance in professional settings, integration of art with activism, and more
This year, Collaboraction can point to the results of new, aggregated pre- and post-program self-assessments with past members that point to positive outcomes across artistic development, career readiness, identity, social justice awareness and personal well-being. In terms of average responses, as a result of their time in The Light, the 2024 cohort’s:
- Understanding about social activism grew 19 percent.
- Confidence in speaking up about social issues rose 20 percent.
- Understanding the importance and impact of one's story increased 23 percent.
- Confidence in the way artistry ties into social activism swelled 24 percent.
- Knowledge in how to translate social justice issues into art jumped 37 percent.
Survey results also suggested participation in The Light:
- Bolstered the youths’ collaborative skills and self-assurance in professional and creative settings.
- Equipped them to take on leadership roles and engage confidently with peers and industry professionals.
- Fostered a deeper understanding of intersectionality and its impact on social justice, indicating a nuanced grasp of complex social issues.
- Stimulated their understanding of social activism, confidence in speaking up about social issues, and ability to translate social justice issues into creative works.
- Fueled their aspiration for a career in the arts, highlighting the program’s effectiveness in fostering socially aware and activist artists ("artivists").
- Clarified their understanding of entrepreneurship within the arts, empowering them to start thinking about sustainable and innovative ways to grow their artistic careers.
Collaboraction’s The Light youth training program is supported by AV Chicago, Circet and the Marc and Jeanne Malnati Family Foundation. Please email jaykellypr@gmail.com for a more complete abstract of The Light member survey findings.
Meet The Light, and learn their social justice platforms
Anna, 16, Mt. Greenwood * LGBTQ and stigma
Carrington, 16, ChiArts * Separating communities
Kristian, 16, Lincoln Park * Mental health
Lavontae, 18, North Lawndale * All Black Lives Matter
Lucy, 15, Albany Park/Lincoln Square * Public transportation and safety
Madina, 14, Goose Island * Cultural assimilation and immigration
Montiara, 18, South Chicago * Racial and economic inequity
Riley, 16, Auburn Gresham * Gun violence and school shootings
Story, 15, Austin * Combating stereotypes of Chicago’s Westside
Tre, 17, South Loop * The root cause PTSD and veterans
Zoe, 18, Humboldt Park * Immigration and protecting the undocumented
Antonio Mendoza, Lead Teaching Artist, The Light
Linda Sol, Teaching Artist, The Luminaries
About Collaboraction
Founded in 1996, Collaboraction is a 29-year-old, BIPOC-led, Emmy-Award winning Chicago theater company that uses immersive, socially conscious performance to spark change and build equity.
Collaboraction’s work includes the three-time Emmy Award-winning The Lost Story of Emmett Till: Trial in the Delta, its long-running Crime Scene series, Peacebook Festival and Sketchbook Festival, and its House of Belonging event series. Collaboraction’s awards include three Emmys, a Distinguished Service to the Arts Award, DCASE’s Foster Innovation Award, two Silver Gavel nominations and an Honorable Mention from the American Bar Association.
Collaboraction’s new House of Belonging, now under construction at the Kimball Arts Center, 1757 N. Kimball Ave, is a 4,000-square foot space featuring a 99-seat flexible studio theater and a 50-seat lounge with a cafe/bar. It will serve as a new community arts center and creative safe space in Humboldt Park presenting live theater, spoken word, music, dance, films, workshops, youth education and special events, produced by Collaboraction and with guest artists and companies. To manifest its new home, Collaboraction has launched a $1.5 million House of Belonging capital campaign. Go to collaboraction.org/our-new-house-of-belonging to learn more.
Collaboraction is led by Darlene Jackson, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director; Anthony Moseley, Chief Programming Officer and Artistic Director; and a dedicated board, company members and staff.
For more information, visit collaboraction.org or follow Collaboraction on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok and Bluesky.