Collaboraction, Chicago’s theater for social change, is producing and dropping a new video PSA campaign advocating for mental wellness support for theater workers while Chicago's theaters remain shuttered.
Click here or above to screen and download the Call Time campaign introduction PSA featuring Chicago theater workers (top, from left) Deb Clapp, Anthony Moseley, Robert Cornelius, (bottom) Robert Cornelius (again), Lavina Jadhwani and Lance Baker.
Titled “Call Time,” this vitally important new awareness campaign from Collaboraction, the National Alliance on Mental Illness Chicago, Season of Concern and the League of Chicago Theatres is designed to cultivate and share mental wellness resources with Chicago theater workers while de-stigmatizing mental illness.
The Call Time campaign debuted with five new video PSAs on Crucial Connections, Collaboraction’s live Together Network virtual talk show, last Thursday, December 17.
Each video features a Chicago theater professional in their home going about their mundane quarantine life, while an off-camera stage manager voices the familiar backstage countdown before any live show - “Half Hour,” “15,” “Five,” and finally, “Call Time.”
The Chicago theater workers featured in the campaign are actor and director Lance Baker, League of Chicago Theatres Executive Director Deb Clapp, actor and teaching artist Robert Cornelius, casting director Catherine Miller and director Lavina Jadhwani.
Voice over work is by writer, director, actor, Collaboraction company member and Season of Concern board member Sandra Delgado.
The Call Time campaign’s calls to action include:
- Reach out and call a friend to tell other Chicago theater workers about Call Time resources available to them.
- Call NAMI Chicago’s free and confidential helpline, (833) 626-4244, for a listening ear, connection to mental health resources or to sign up for a virtual support group.
- Share the news that financial assistance to cover the cost of therapy is available through Season of Concern, the emergency fund for Chicago’s theater community. Learn more at seasonofconcern.org/assistance.
- Amplify the campaign by creating and sharing an original Call Time video on social media. Download the script, self-shoot instructions and graphics at collaboraction.org/call-time.
(Click screen caps below to screen and download each PSA)
Director Lavina Jadhwani
Actor and director Lance Baker
Casting director Catherine Miller
Actor and teaching artist Robert Cornelius
Click above to screen and download the December 17th episode of Crucial Connections, Collaboraction's Together Network virtual talk show, to watch the Call Time partners premiere their new video PSA campaign advocating for mental health awareness for Chicago theater workers.
“As theater workers, we are usually so focused on our audience. This pandemic and the closure of our stages has turned the tides and it is really important that we focus on the amazing individuals who make up the Chicago theater community,” said Collaboraction Artistic Director Anthony Moseley. “Stress, depression and anxiety are all on the rise as our stages remain closed. And as long as our theaters are shuttered, Call Time will continue.”
All five PSAs and more information on the resources offered can be found at collaboraction.org/call-time. The videos also will be shared far and wide via all four partners’ websites, e-communications and social feeds, with additional placement on Collaboraction’s new content distribution partner, CAN TV.
Chicago theater professionals and fans are encouraged to help Call Time PSAs go viral by sharing them on social media and tagging @Collaboraction @namichicago @seasonofconcern @Chicagoplays and #CallTime.
The Call Time Partners
Collaboraction, Chicago’s theater for social change, collaborates with a diverse community of Chicagoans, artists and community activists to create original theatrical experiences that cultivate dialogue and action around the city’s most critical social issues. For more, visit collaboraction.org.
Guided by the experiences of those living with mental health conditions and rooted in equity, National Alliance on Mental Illness Chicago educates to fight stigma and discrimination, fiercely advocates for our community, and shares hope, connection and expertise with people on their mental health journey. For more, visit namichicago.org.
Season of Concern provides direct, short-term emergency financial assistance through its Biscotto-Miller Fund to Chicago-area actors, directors, designers, technicians, playwrights—anyone working in the theater—who have found themselves temporarily unable to work due to injury, illness or circumstance. Season of Concern supports both members of Actors’ Equity Association, as well as Non-Equity theater makers. For more, visit seasonofconcern.org.
The League of Chicago Theatres is an alliance of theaters which leverages its collective strength to support, promote and advocate for Chicago’s theater industry. Through its work, the League ensures that theater continues to thrive in Chicago. For more, visit chicagoplays.com.