Collaboraction, Chicago’s theater for social change, announces its inaugural full-length youth production, All I Want for Chicago Is…, a holiday-themed, world premiere devised work of theater that showcases the voices and wishes of Chicago high school students. Performances are December 7-15, 2020.
Collaboratively written by the Collaboraction Teen Ensemble, All I Want for Chicago Is… follows a group of Chicago teenagers who want to avoid a drab and drama-filled holiday break at home. Instead, they gather on Christmas Eve at Collaboraction to share their hopes, fears and dreams as young Chicagoans. Magical events occur throughout the show via theater, puppetry, music and poetry while actual Chicago teens explore issues of equity, colorism, sexual orientation, discrimination, mental illness and gun violence.
"All I Want for Chicago... is a performance written, devised and performed by an ensemble of youth who not only represent what Chicago really looks like, but have important things to say about the good and bad of our wonderful city,” said its director Luis Crespo, Collaboraction’s Director of Youth Programming. “It isn't always black and white. All I Want for Chicago.. is a powerful culmination of theater, writing, music and activism that not only tells a story, but also brings about discussion, change and awareness."
Collaboraction Artistic Director Anthony Moseley added, “All I Want For Chicago… represents the growth of our youth created programming over the past five years. This is their first-ever full-length show and that is really exciting. Plus this show is special because it allows audiences to experience the uncensored voice of Chicago teens today and the issues they are dealing with.”
The cast features Ethan Akins, Kaitlin Aybar, Courtney Beckford, Daquon Baskerville, Lashayla Baskerville, Alaijah Grayer Moultry, Mia Herrin, Jennifer Johnson, Daijah King, Amanda Leon, LijTafari Phelps, Ella Rae Pinckney and Tatiana Tucker. Each performance will be followed by a Crucial Conversation, a staple of Collaboraction productions, in which audience members will be able to reflect on the themes explored by the artists and bring their own voices to the experience.
All I Want for Chicago… is directed by Luis Crespo. The production team includes Chas Mathieu (Set Designer), Levi Wilkins (Lighting Designer), Nina D'Angier (Props Designer), Jared Smith (Production Manager), Madeleiene Switzer (Stage Manager), Emily Beckert (Dramaturg) and Gyna Thomas (Assistant Stage Manager).
All I Want for Chicago Is… runs December 7-15, 2020 in the Pentagon Theatre at Collaboraction Studios in the Flat Iron Arts Building 1579 N Milwaukee Ave, 3rd Floor, in Chicago’s Wicker Park neighborhood. Press opening is Saturday, December 7 at 7 p.m.
Performances continue Friday, December 13 at 7 p.m., Saturday, December 14 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, December 15 at 3 p.m. Tickets to regular performances are $15-$25. To purchase, visit collaboraction.org or call the Collaboraction box office, (312) 226-9633.
About Collaboraction Youth Programming
Collaboraction’s Teen Ensemble is a collaboration with After School Matters, a non-profit organization that provides life-changing after-school and summer program opportunities to Chicago high school teens. Students in Collaboraction’s Teen Ensemble create, rehearse and perform their own shows. New sessions begin every semester, giving new students a chance to join, learn and create, year after year. Email info@collaboraction.org to learn more and sent up an interview for the winter/spring After School Matters program at Collaboraction.
In line with its mission to create original work that leads to lasting change, Collaboraction also has created and developed The Peacemakers, a group of teen artists who generate their own work dedicated to telling their stories and cultivating a dialogue of hope and change, also led by Luis Crespo, Director of Youth Programming.
About Collaboraction
Collaboraction, Chicago’s social contemporary theater, collaborates with a diverse community of Chicagoans, artists and community activists to create original theatrical experiences that push artistic boundaries and explore critical social issues. Since the company’s founding in 1996, Collaboraction has worked with more than 3,000 artists to bring more than 60 productions and events to more than 150,000 audience members.
Collaboraction is producing its 23rd season mainstage shows at Kennedy-King College in Englewood. Following its third annual Encounter Series, Collaboraction will present the world premiere in spring 2020 of Red Island by Anthony Moseley and Carla Stillwell about racism in the United States of America.
For the past five years, Collaboraction has partnered with the Chicago Park District through their Night Out in the Parks program, returning each year to cultivate relationships and theater in Englewood, Austin and Hermosa through the Crime Scene, PEACEBOOK and Encounter tours. Production highlights also include its series of Crime Scene productions responding to Chicago’s crime epidemic; 15 years of the SKETCHBOOK Festival; and the YO SOLO Festival of Latino Solo Shows, co-produced with Teatro Vista.
Collaboraction is led by Artistic Director Anthony Moseley, Executive Director Dr. Marcus Robinson, a company of 20 talented Chicago theater artists, and a dedicated staff and board of directors. The company’s vision is to utilize theater to cultivate dialogue and action around our most critical social issues throughout Chicago.
Collaboraction is supported by The Chicago Community Trust, The Joyce Foundation, The Field Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, DCASE and the Wicker Park & Bucktown SSA #33 Chamber of Commerce, and the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.
For more, visit collaboraction.org, follow the company on Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, YouTube or Instagram, or call the Collaboraction box office, (312) 226-9633.
Free Encounter Series special event: Two $1,000 prizes up for grabs at Collaboraction’s MLK Speech Slam Competition
Collaboraction is also accepting submissions at collaboraction.org for its first annual MLK Speech Slam Competition. Submissions must be seven minutes or less, and can be in one of two categories: traditional oration or creative remix. Deadline to submit is Sunday, December 1.
A free, live competition will be held on Martin Luther King Day, Monday, January 20, 2020 at 7 p.m. at Kennedy-King College Theater, 740 W. 63rd St. A panel of industry judges will award $1,000 to the first place winner in each category. Families are invited to complete their Martin Luther King Day celebration at this free Encounter Series special event.